FAQ

We buy scrap metal in any quantity:

Ferrous metals, i.e. anything with magnetic properties.

Cast iron, wrought iron, steel in all forms -plate, sheet, pipe, turnings, wire/cable cut to 3’ lengths or shorter, construction materials, vehicles, tools/equipment, nuts/bolts/screws, BBQs, lawn mowers, large appliances, hot water heaters, clean drums/cans/containers, clean and cut tanks, file cabinets, etc.

Test your metal with a magnet; if the magnet sticks, it’s steel or iron!

Non-ferrous metals

Aluminum – castings, sheet, plate, extrusion, turnings, dross, window frames, electrical wire, automotive parts (such as radiators and rims), soffits/fascia/siding, beverage cans, clean food cans, kitchen tools/pots/pans, mobility devices, bicycles, etc.

Brass – fittings, valves, EDM Wire, turnings, taps and faucets, radiators, spent rifle shells, musical instruments, ornaments, silver plated serving ware, etc.

Copper – wire (bare and insulated), tube/pipe, bus bar, sheet, copper bearing items (electric motors, alternators, starters, transformers, sealed units, ballasts), etc.

Stainless steel & high temperature alloys (i.e. tungsten carbide, Inco, Monel, etc.) – sheet, plate, tube/pipe, turnings, food production and livestock feeding equipment, commercial kitchen equipment, boilers, carbide drill bits and inserts, kitchen utensils, cookware, etc.

Lead – roofing lead, radiation barriers, pellets/shot, wheel weights, etc.

Lead acid batteries – automotive, industrial (i.e. forklift batteries), back-up power/UPS batteries, locomotive, glass, etc.

Zinc – die cast, dross, etc.

Catalytic converters and diesel particulate filters (DPFs)

This is not an exhaustive list, if you’re unsure whether your item is acceptable, make sure it’s not on the prohibited items list below, then call or email our office and speak to our helpful staff.

Yes, there are a number of things on our prohibited items list that we don’t accept for safety or environmental reasons.

• Hazardous materials (ex. paint, oil, antifreeze)
• Radioactive Materials (ex. smoke detectors, radium luminous devices, X-ray machines – anything containing a radioactive source)
• Non-metallic items (ex. tires, wood, ceramics)
• Compressed gas cylinders (ex. propane, helium)
• Items containing refrigerants (ex. compressors, air conditioners – acceptable if empty)
• Items containing PCB’s (ex. capacitors, oil or dielectric fluid-based transformers – acceptable if drained and tested PCB free)
• Explosives (ex. firearms, live ammunition – spent brass shells are acceptable)
• Flammable materials (ex. gasoline, solvents, oil)
• Lithium powersport batteries
• Other hazardous materials (ex. pesticides, fluorescent lights, thermostats)

Urbanmine is an EPRA collection site for electronic waste. We accept, but don’t pay for, electronic devices and small appliances, such as:

• TVs & monitors
• phones (cellular and non-cellular)
• audio/visual equipment
• computers, laptops & peripherals (i.e. keyboards and mice)
• printers, photocopiers & multi-function devices (desktop & floor-standing)
• car audio equipment
• personal audio/visual devices (tablets, MP3 players, etc.)
• microwave ovens
• small appliances (coffee makers, toasters, etc.)

Just about anything that plugs in or runs on batteries!

Visit recyclemyelectronics.ca/mb/what-can-i-recycle/ for a more detailed list or call our office for clarification.

No, we do not accept any audio or visual media. Unfortunately, we are not aware of a recycling program in Manitoba that accepts these items.

Yes – we are a Call2Recycle Collection Partner. We accept single-use batteries including AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, button cell, etc. and rechargeable batteries including those from cordless phones, power tools, laptops, cameras, etc. Just drop them off during regular business hours and we’ll take care of the rest.

Visit https://www.call2recycle.ca/recycleyourbatteries/ for more information or call our office.

Our address is 72 Rothwell Road, located in southwest Winnipeg. Rothwell Road intersects with Kenaston Boulevard (Route 90) between McGillivray Boulevard and Sterling Lyon Parkway.

If you’re coming from outside the city, we’re easily accessible from the perimeter highway. There are several major retailers (Costco, Cabela’s, Ikea, Outlet Collection, etc.) and restaurants nearby so if you have errands to run you can make the most of your time and avoid driving all over town.

We are open Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Closed weekends and holidays. We post holiday closures on our Google Business Profile and social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter).

It depends on what you have and how much you have. We don’t have a set cut-off time, but you must be unloaded, weighed, and paid by five o’clock sharp! Our employees go home at 5:00 pm.

If you have items that require special handling or grading, such as oversized steel or catalytic converters, please be sure to allow extra time.

We follow the guidelines of The Province of Manitoba’s Scrap Metal Act. For individuals that wish to sell scrap metal, we require valid, government issued, photo ID such as:

• driver’s license
• status card
• Canadian Forces photo ID, or
• passport.

You will be asked to provide the license plate number of the vehicle used to deliver the scrap, and a description of how you acquired the material. We reserve the right to ask for additional documentation or proof of ownership for high theft items.

A corporation that is authorized to carry on business in Manitoba is not subject to identification or documentation requirements.

Please call or email our office for current prices. We don’t post our pricing online because some rates change every day. We also like to make sure you’re quoted correctly so we may have questions about the grade, condition, and quantity of metal you have.

That depends on what you have. If it’s strictly electronic waste, drop it in the Residential E-Waste bin to the right of our gate, and you’re done!

If you have ferrous or non-ferrous metal, or a bit of both, visit our yard map to see where you need to go. This map is posted at the entrance to our parking lot.

We offer bin service and mobile pick-ups for manufacturers, trades and other businesses.

We do not offer a residential pick-up service. However, if you call our office, we may be able to refer you to someone that can help you out.

All the metal we receive is classified, processed, and packaged. Once it is prepared for shipment, the metals are marketed to foundries and mills globally.

Similarly, electronic waste is sorted and packaged. Once we have collected a full load, the EPRA sends us a trailer and it is shipped to a specialized electronics recycler within North America – often right here in Manitoba.

We recommend you sort your material to the best of your ability. Keep similar items together and use boxes, bins, or pails to contain smaller items. Our staff can sometimes sort small loads at the scale, but if you have a large box of mixed metal, it will be inspected and likely graded as one of the lower-value metals identified in the box.

Use a magnet to identify your steel/iron. The presence of rust is also a good visual cue for these ferrous metals.

For the most common non-ferrous metals:

• Copper has a red hue and is most often found in electrical or plumbing applications.
• Brass looks similar to copper but is more yellow in colour.
• Aluminum, if unpainted, is a silver grey colour with a dull texture. It’s light weight, soft and easily scratched or scored.
• Stainless steel is heavier than aluminum (similar in weight to steel). It’s more silver in colour than aluminum and relatively shiny. It is also very difficult to scratch.
• Zinc is a dull grey colour with a slightly bluish hue. It resembles cast aluminum but it’s noticeably heavier and generally grainier in texture.
• Lead is a dark silver colour with a dull finish. It is very heavy for its size and normally quite soft and pliable.

For examples of where you might find each, see 1. What do you buy?

Yes, we will accept crushed pop cans.

Some municipal collection programs don’t want crushed cans because they aren’t compatible with their sorting equipment. That is not the case at Urbanmine. We recommend bringing your cans to our facility in a plastic bag or box and ensure they aren’t contaminated with other recyclables.

Yes, we purchase catalytic converters. As with all transactions, you must provide valid, government-issued photo ID and describe how you acquired the converter(s). The unit(s) will be photographed and inspected before grading. Please be sure to cut off the excess exhaust pipe; our graders need to be able to see the material inside the converter.

We need to see the unit to grade and price it. Prices range from zero to a few hundred dollars and we can’t give an indication based on the year and model of vehicle. Our buyers may be able to give you an estimate from a high-quality photo sent by text or email. However, for most makes, accurate pricing will come from the code stamped into the unit. If you’re unable to find it, our converter specialists will do their best to locate it when you bring it to our facility. For more information, call our office to speak to a buyer.

No, we do not accept infant or toddler car seats, or child booster seats.

Contact MPI for information on disposing of expired car seats or booster seats.

No, these are on our Prohibited Items list.

These items come with a serious risk of explosion. Visit Multi-Material Stewardship’s Recyclepedia for your nearest depot. https://simplyrecycle.ca/recyclepedia/

Unfortunately, Urbanmine can’t recycle everything, but the following websites may be helpful in your search:

Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba’s Recyclepedia https://simplyrecycle.ca/recyclepedia/

Manitoba Eco Depots https://geoportal.gov.mb.ca/apps/manitoba::find-your-eco-depot-/explore

Product Care Recycling https://www.productcare.org/