• DEAD CAR, GOOD DEED

    Our Old Parts New Starts Program gets old polluting cars off the road and turns them into a cash donation for Habitat for Humanity.

1. Get Highest Returns
Copper typically gives you the best price per pound. It can be found in wiring, plumbing or inside the cords of appliances. Steel, although lower in value, can generally be found in large volumes, which will increase your return. Some places where steel can be found….appliances, hot water tanks, steel beams, machinery and automobiles.

2. Use a Magnet
Can’t tell the difference between steel and other metals? Steel is magnetic…a magnet can be an urbanminers best friend. Ask for one when you visit urbanmine.

3. Identify the Metal
Aluminum and stainless steel look very similar. Both are non-magnetic. Can’t tell the difference? Aluminum is soft and can be cut into with a file, you will not be able to cut into stainless. Stainless will spark when touched with a grinder, aluminum will not.

4. Clean Up
Removing steel screws or plastic attachments from items such as aluminum, brass, copper or stainless steel can increase your return. For example, before you bring in an old aluminum door remove the steel screws and glass.

5. Organize It
Before you load up your vehicle, organize your scrap – separating your metals into different piles. Putting all your steel together, all your aluminum together, all your copper together will save you time when you arrive at the metal recycler. It will allow you to get in and out more quickly. If you don’t separate your scrap, some dealers may value your entire load at the least valuable metal in the pile.

6. What’s in a ton(ne)?
A gross ton is 2,240 pounds, a metric tonne is 2,205 lbs. The most common measurement in Winnipeg is the net ton which is 2,000 pounds. A quote in gross tons is worth approximately 10% less than a quote in net tons.

7. Be Kind
Be kind to yourself and the environment by finding a dealer on a major truck route. It will save gas, time and fumes by avoiding the stop-and-go traffic of the centre of a major city.

8. Public Readout
If you’re bringing in a truckload you’ll have to weigh your vehicle on the dealer’s outdoor scale before and after you unload. Some dealers only have the readout available inside their office. Use a dealer that has a scale readout you can see from your vehicle.

9. More Value
Don’t let the price of the metal today be your only criteria for choosing a metal recycler. Although price is important a yard that is clean and clear of nails could save you a flat tire; a friendly staff that helps you unload can make your day; a well organized yard can get you in and out faster. All of this saves you time and money.

  • DEAD CAR, GOOD DEED

    Our Old Parts New Starts Program gets old polluting cars off the road and turns them into a cash donation for Habitat for Humanity.

  • A-lu-mi-num Jingle

  • Dead Car, Good Deed

    Old Parts New Starts gets polluting cars off the road. Turns them into cash donations.

“I like the read-out scale. You can see it.”

— Don Zieglgansberger

Don's Salvage, Estevan, Saskatchewan

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“Extremely open and transparent.”

— Lise Baker

General Manager, Champ Industries

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“Concerned about the environment.”

— Lyndon Finney

Chief Financial Officer, Canadian Tool and Die

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“Big enough to handle our products.”

— Barry Fraser

Production Manager, Imperial Steel Products

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“Beautiful, clean... This is a scrap yard?”

— Terry MacLeod

CBC Radio Manitoba, Broadcast October 2009

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