Scrap Metal Put in Recycling Cart/Bin Put a small amount (less than 60 pounds) in the recycling. For amounts larger than 60 pounds, schedule a free pickup. Take It to a Scrapyard You can take scrap metal to the landfill or a scrapyard. Scrapyards pay for new and old metal, which they can recycle into new material. Separate Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals Separate ferrous from non-ferrous metals before visiting a scrap yard. Ferrous metals include steel and iron, while non-ferrous metals are practically iron-free, such as brass, copper and aluminum. A good rule of thumb is that if a magnet sticks to metal, it’s ferrous, and if not, it’s non-ferrous. Find Out What They Take Try using the iScrap App to find local scrapyards and which metals and materials they accept. Items that are commonly accepted include metal tubing, wiring and assorted auto parts. Did You Know? How Much Scrap Metal the U.S. Recycles On average, more than 250 billion pounds of scrap metal is recycled annually in the U.S. That’s the same weight as 70 million cars. With more recycled scrap metal in the market, less resources need to be mined because recycled metal can be used instead. Guide to Recycling Scrap Metal Want to recycle scrap metal but aren’t sure how to get started? Check out this complete guide for beginners.