Materials We Recycle

steel rebar for metal recycling

We buy all grades of ferrous and nonferrous metals.

Below are some of the most common items we accept at our recycling facilities. Contact your local Radius yard to inquire about a specific material type or product, or to talk with our team about pricing, transportation, or logistics.

Steel

Pile of shredded ferrous scrap metal processed

Steel is the most recycled material in the world.

Aluminum

Nonferrous metal scrap including aluminum pieces

Radius makes it easy to recycle aluminum scrap from household, commercial, and manufacturing sources.

Copper

Bare bright copper wire scrap recycling

Radius facilities accept a wide range of copper scrap, including #1, #2, and bare bright.

Brass

Mixed nonferrous metal scrap including brass and copper pieces

Radius facilities accept brass scrap, including red and yellow brass.

Heavy Iron

Heavy iron and steel scrap from industrial equipment

Radius accepts heavy iron, commonly sourced from industrial machinery and equipment.

Light Iron

Light iron scrap metal from appliances, car body panels, and thin sheet metal

Light iron includes metals typically sourced from appliances, car shells and body panels, air conditioning units, and other thin sheet metal products.

Prohibited Materials

Radius facilities recycle a wide range of ferrous and nonferrous metals. However, for the safety of our team and the protection of the environment, certain materials cannot be accepted.

Looking to recycle steel?

Contact our team or visit a Radius facility near you to get started.

Radius facilities accept ferrous metals for recycling in many forms, including the items listed below: 

  • Aerosol cans
  • Appliances
  • Automobiles
  • Air conditioning compressors
  • Bicycles
  • Busheling
  • Cable and wire
  • Catalytic converters
  • Cast iron
  • Chain link fencing
  • Steel
  • Shock absorbers
  • Drums, barrels and other containers
  • Gas cylinders and tanks
  • Heavy melt steel
  • Industrial metals
  • Metal banding
  • Metal roofing
  • Motor blocks
  • Propane tanks
  • Rebar
  • Sheet metal
  • Tin

Best practices for preparing scrap depend on the material type. In general, sorting metal by type and removing large non-metal attachments helps speed up processing. If you bring mixed materials, our team will separate them and price each material accordingly, though clean, pre-sorted metal requires less processing.

Yes, customers are legally required to provide a valid, government-issued photo ID to sell scrap metal with Radius. This helps deter metal theft and establish a clear chain of custody for materials.

Yes, Radius facilities accept household appliances like ovens, refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, and refrigerators.    

Refrigerant-containing appliances like refrigerators and air conditioners need special handling. Customers will be asked to certify that refrigerants have been removed from these appliances in accordance with applicable state law. 

You can contact the Radius facility near you to find out daily prices for scrap metal grades.

Wear closed-toe shoes for your protection.

Wear gloves when handling recycled metals.

Radius facilities accept the following nonferrous metals:

  • Aluminum, including cans, rims, siding, sheet
  • Coils
  • Copper, including #1, #2 and bare bright
  • CRV beverage containers
  • Electric motors
  • Electrical parts
  • Electrical wiring
  • Irony aluminum, including lawn furniture
  • Lead-acid batteries
  • New production
  • Other alloys
  • Plumbing parts
  • Radiators
  • Red brass (Ebony)
  • Shredded scrap (Zorba)
  • Stainless steel
  • Turnings
  • Wheel weights (Ropes)
  • Yellow brass (Honey)
  • Zinc

While we accept most metals for recycling, please review the list below of prohibited items:

  • Airbags
  • Closed containers such as enclosed drums or tanks
  • Hazardous waste or chemicals
  • Flammable materials, including ammunition, explosives, and lithium-ion batteries
  • Fluids including oils, gasoline, antifreeze, hydraulic fluid, gear oil, or grease
  • Fluorescent lights
  • Paint cans
  • Radioactive materials
  • Refrigerants
  • Tires, wood, dirt, yard debris, concrete, asphalt, glass, rubber

Questions about a specific material? Reach out to your local Radius Recycling facility for guidance.

Payment is generally made by check, but it varies based on the Radius location capabilities.

Payment is generally made by check, but it varies based on the Radius location capabilities.

At Radius, safety isn’t just a priority—it’s a core value. We are committed to protecting the well-being of our employees, customers, and communities by fostering a strong, sustainable safety culture.

When visiting our metals recycling facilities, please remember the following safety policies:

General Safety

Stay in designated customer areas at all times—heavy equipment is in use. Follow posted speed limits and maintain at least 10 feet between vehicles. No smoking anywhere on the premises.

Personal Protective Measures

Wear closed-toe shoes for your protection.

Wear gloves when handling recycled metals.

Vehicle & Occupant Rules

Children under 18 must remain in vehicles at all times.

Exit vehicles only when instructed, especially if your vehicle is being unloaded by machinery.

We do not accept metal that we cannot confirm as legitimate. Metal theft is a growing concern in many of our communities and it impacts all of us. At Radius Recycling, metal theft prevention is part of our business, including:

  • Training our employees to know what to look for
  • Documenting all transactions
  • Cooperating with local law enforcement.

When visiting our metals recycling facilities, please ensure that you have the appropriate ownership documentation for any metal you are selling. Metal documentation policies vary by location based on state law.