Denton scrap follows the campuses and the old square
Denton’s rental turns, especially near the universities, dump appliances and bed frames twice a year. Landlords who mix that with copper from a unit remodel get the low grade. The square and the older streets west of it are actual remodels: copper, plaster full of nails, and brass that should be pulled before the dumpster lid shuts.
Light industrial bays on the edge add steel that is heavier than anything a campus apartment produces. Hail finds the cars on every one of these streets. Put the nearest cross street in the form so a driver is not circling the square.
Local prices vary by yard. Send a photo for a quote. We do not publish a Denton scale sheet.
Dallas–Fort Worth Scrap is an independent referral service that connects you with local scrap yards.
Contractor scrap form · Gold and silver · Cash for cars
Sort Denton scrap by metal and condition
A magnet is a quick first check, not a grade test. If it sticks, the piece is probably ferrous steel or iron; if it does not, it may be copper, brass, or aluminum. Keep the groups separate. A magnet cannot distinguish valuable non-ferrous metals from one another, and coatings, attachments, or dirt can make a piece harder to identify.
Copper wire and pipe can fall into different grades. Bare bright copper is clean, uncoated wire with insulation removed; #1 and #2 copper allow different levels of fittings, solder, oxidation, or other contamination. Insulated wire is usually handled as its own category. Ask the partner yard how it wants each type separated before doing extra work to prepare it.
Brass fittings and aluminum should also be kept apart from steel and copper. Aluminum may be sorted by form, such as clean sheet, cast pieces, or items with steel attached, and mixed attachments can lower the grade. Clean material is generally easier to assess than dirty or mixed material. Do not strip wire automatically: labor, tools, and the yard’s grade rules affect whether stripping makes sense.
Get a Denton scrap or vehicle pickup ready
Before pickup, sort material into stable, separate piles and describe what is in each one. Keep sharp edges, loose wire, and heavy pieces from creating a trip or cut hazard. Leave a clear path for loading, and mention stairs, gates, low branches, or tight turns when you send details. A photo and the nearest cross street can help the independent partner yard plan its visit.
Appliances need a little more care than ordinary metal. Refrigerators, freezers, and some other equipment contain refrigerant that should be evacuated using proper equipment by a qualified handler before the appliance is dismantled or processed. Do not cut refrigerant lines or release the contents. Tell the yard what appliance you have and ask how it accepts it; requirements can vary by facility.
For a junk car, ask the yard what ownership documents it needs before arranging removal. Title requirements and acceptable alternatives can depend on the vehicle and circumstances, so do not assume a bill of sale alone will be enough. Catalytic converters are handled separately by many yards and may require identification or other paperwork. Leave the converter attached unless the yard confirms how it wants the vehicle prepared.
Questions
How do I tell steel from aluminum with a magnet?
A magnet that sticks points to ferrous material such as steel or iron. Aluminum is non-ferrous and will not attract a household magnet. The test does not identify the exact metal or grade, so separate likely aluminum from other non-magnetic metals and let the partner yard inspect it.
Should I strip insulation off copper wire before pickup?
Not automatically. Stripping takes time and can damage or contaminate the copper if done carelessly. Bare bright copper and insulated wire are typically treated as different grades, but each yard sets its own acceptance and grading rules. Ask the partner yard how it handles your wire before investing labor.
Can I mix aluminum cans and other aluminum scrap?
Keep them separate when practical. Cans, sheet, cast pieces, and aluminum with attached steel or other materials may not be graded alike. If the load is small or mixed, send clear photos and ask the partner yard whether it wants separate piles. Avoid putting aluminum into a steel container.
Can I dismantle an old refrigerator for the metal?
Do not cut its refrigerant lines or release the refrigerant. Proper evacuation requires suitable equipment and handling. Contact the partner yard first to ask whether it accepts the whole appliance and what preparation it requires. If evacuation is needed, arrange it through an appropriate qualified handler rather than improvising.
What should I have ready when a junk car is collected?
Have the vehicle’s location, make and model if known, and ownership paperwork available. Ask the partner yard in advance which documents it requires and whether anyone must be present. Tell it about missing wheels, blocked access, or a removed catalytic converter so the pickup plan reflects the car’s actual condition.