Contractor scrap for a metro that renovates in every direction
Intown copper, Perimeter cable, and subdivision cutoffs north of 285.
Atlanta crews lose half a day to traffic when they self-haul a mixed load. Send the photo and the actual city. “Near Atlanta” is not a location a yard can route.
Office and studio cleanouts need the building’s permission in the note. Household remodel copper does not. Mixing those stories is how a good pipe load gets treated like a mystery container.
Local prices vary by yard. Send a photo for a quote. Sorted copper and brass usually beat a mixed pile, but the yard sets the grade.
Atlanta Scrap is an independent referral service that connects you with local scrap yards.
Atlanta contractor scrap: sort by material before pickup
Start with a rough ferrous and non-ferrous split. A magnet that sticks is a useful clue for steel or iron, but it does not identify the grade, and some stainless steel may not attract a magnet. Copper, brass, and aluminum are generally non-magnetic. Keep uncertain pieces separate rather than treating the magnet test as a final answer; the partner yard determines how material is graded.
Copper wire and pipe can fall into different grades. Bare bright is clean, uncoated copper wire with no insulation. #1 copper is generally clean copper pipe or solid pieces without soldered joints or significant contamination. #2 can include copper with solder, paint, or other attachments. Grade definitions vary by yard, so keep these types apart and send clear photos instead of assuming a label guarantees a particular grade.
Brass fittings, valves, and clean pieces are easier to identify when separated from steel fasteners and other debris. Aluminum also has multiple forms, such as cast pieces, sheet, and extrusions, and yards may grade them differently. Keep aluminum away from steel and copper where practical. Remove obvious non-metal attachments only when it is safe and does not require cutting into a sealed or hazardous item.
Metro Atlanta jobsite scrap: prepare the load and pickup details
A cleaner load is easier to assess than a mixed demolition pile. Separate metal from wood, drywall, insulation, and wet debris, and keep different metals in distinct containers when possible. Do not climb onto unstable piles or reach into bins with sharp offcuts. Use gloves and eye protection while sorting, and leave heavy or awkward pieces for suitable lifting equipment rather than risking a strain.
Stripping insulated wire can expose copper, but the extra labor does not always make sense. The wire’s size, insulation, and the yard’s grading rules affect how it is evaluated. Only strip it with an appropriate tool and safe work setup; never burn insulation to recover metal. If the wire is already insulated, photograph it that way and ask the partner yard whether separating it is worthwhile before spending time on it.
For a pickup inquiry, have the jobsite city, access notes, material types, and a few clear photos ready. Include whether the load is loose, bundled, or in a container, and mention any access limits or equipment needed to reach it. Metro Photo Quotes connects sellers with independent partner yards; the yard handles grading, weigh tickets, payment, and any required ID or paperwork.
Questions
Does a magnet tell me what grade my scrap is?
No. It can help separate many steel or iron pieces from non-ferrous metals, but it cannot establish a sale grade. Some stainless steel may not attract a magnet, and coatings or attachments can affect how a piece is handled. Keep uncertain material separate and let the partner yard assess it.
What is the difference between #1 and #2 copper?
The exact grading rules depend on the yard. In general, #1 is clean copper with little or no solder or contamination, while #2 may have solder, paint, or other attachments. Bare bright is a clean, uncoated copper wire grade. Keep types separate and ask the yard how it classifies borderline material.
Should I strip insulated wire before sending photos?
Not automatically. Stripping takes time, and the value of that effort depends on the wire and the yard’s grading rules. Do not burn insulation. Send a photo of the wire as it is and ask the partner yard whether stripping would change how it is evaluated.
Can refrigerant appliances go in a contractor scrap load?
Appliances containing refrigerant need proper evacuation before processing. Do not cut refrigerant lines or assume an appliance is ready because it no longer runs. Ask the partner yard what it accepts and what documentation or preparation it requires. Keep the appliance separate from ordinary metal until those instructions are clear.
What should I do with a catalytic converter from a job vehicle?
Do not assume a loose converter can be accepted with ordinary scrap. Keep it identifiable and ask the partner yard about its acceptance, identification, and paperwork requirements; requirements can vary. Only remove a converter from a vehicle when you have authority to do so, and do not rely on a photo as proof of ownership.