Where to Take Scrap Metal in Vancouver

Got a pile of old metal - broken appliances, copper pipe offcuts, a rusted BBQ, or a truck bed of renovation debris - and no idea where it's supposed to go? Metal doesn't belong in your regular garbage, and most of it is genuinely recyclable. Here's exactly where to take scrap metal in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, plus the fastest way to make it disappear.

Your Four Main Options

There are really four ways to get rid of scrap metal:

Which one is right depends on how much you have, whether it's worth money, and how much of your own time you want to spend.

1. Scrap Metal Yards

Scrap yards are the classic destination. They weigh your metal, sort it into ferrous (steel, iron) and non-ferrous (copper, aluminum, brass), and often **pay you by the pound** for the valuable stuff.

Yards are the best choice when you have a decent volume of clean, sorted metal and you're willing to load, haul, and unload it yourself. If you want to know what your metal is actually worth before you go, see our guide to scrap metal prices and which metals pay the most.

Before you go:

2. Recycling Depots & Transfer Stations

Metro Vancouver transfer stations and municipal recycling depots accept scrap metal for recycling. This is a good route for **mixed or bulky items** a scrap yard might turn away, though you may pay a tipping fee by weight rather than get paid.

Always check the specific facility's accepted-materials list and hours before loading up - rules vary between municipalities.

3. Curbside & Community Recycling

Small metal items - tin cans, empty aerosol cans, foil, small hardware - usually go in your household recycling. Larger metal items typically don't fit curbside programs and need a depot or pickup instead. When in doubt, check your city's recycling guide rather than guessing, since the wrong item in the wrong bin can contaminate a load.

4. Scrap Metal Pickup (The Easy Button)

If you don't have a truck, don't want to sort and haul, or you've got heavy items like appliances and hot water tanks, a **scrap metal pickup service** is the simplest path. A crew loads everything, sweeps up, and takes it to be recycled - you don't lift a thing.

This is ideal for:

Go Junk Go offers scrap metal removal across Metro Vancouver, sorting metal for recycling so it stays out of the landfill.

What Counts as Scrap Metal?

Most common household and renovation metals are recyclable:

Note that appliances with refrigerant (fridges, freezers, AC units) need proper handling before the metal is recycled - a pickup service or depot equipped for it is the safest bet.

DIY Drop-Off vs. Pickup: Which Should You Choose?

The Bottom Line

Scrap metal is one of the most recyclable materials there is, so the goal is simply to get it to a facility that will process it rather than the landfill. If you've got the truck and the time, a scrap yard can even pay you. If you'd rather skip the heavy lifting, we'll come get it.

**Call (604) 358-2328** or request a free quote for scrap metal pickup in Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, and throughout the Fraser Valley.