Second-hand stores receive large volumes of clothing, dinnerware, and metal products every day that they can’t push, and a lot of it ends up in landfills.
If your thrift or antique store is overflowing with unwanted metal tools, dishware, and appliances, don’t throw them in with the rest of your trash—contact McSteel for scrap metal removal!
The Relationship Between Landfills & Thrift Shops
Many people donate their unwanted items to thrift stores thinking they’ll go to a loving home, but in reality, a large portion of donated goods end up at the bottom of a landfill.
Thrift stores are often overloaded with too much stock, causing only about 20% of things like clothing and textiles to be sold, and it doesn’t stop there.
Vintage and used dishware, home decor, appliances, and other housewares—many containing valuable metals—go straight from the store to the dump.
If your store is facing the same problem, there is a way around it! At McSteel, we accept any and all scrap metal. If you’re overstocked with appliances, metal decor, old tools, pots and pans, and other metal items you can’t sell, we’re happy to accept them at our scrap yard.
The Value of Used & Vintage Metal
Thrift stores gather many used, vintage, and antique items, many of which include or are made solely from metal. Despite being aged, the metals in these items can still hold a lot of value in the scrap metal market.
Most metals can be scrapped, melted down, and reused for commercial products like vehicles, updated appliances, heavy-duty equipment, and more. Discarding unused metals in this fashion reduces the production of new metal materials, contributing to more sustainable commercial practices.
Environmental Benefits of Recycling Thrifted Metal
Preserving recyclable materials like metal helps us maintain a clean and healthy earth! At McSteel, we understand the environmental impact of landfill waste and aim to reduce it through our efforts in metal salvage, recycling, and site clean-ups. Here are a few benefits of recycling the unsold metal from your thrift store:
- Preserves natural resources
- Reduces pollution and the effects of greenhouse gases
- Cuts down on metal extraction and refinement processes
How Your Store Can Benefit from Scrap Metal Removal
Recycling unsold metal benefits more than the environment; it also adds money to your pocket! At McSteel, we pay for all the scrap metal we receive based on the current market values of the individual metal types.
You can use the money from your scrap pile to supplement your business expenses. Charitable thrift shops can continue to give back by putting their scrap money towards the charity they fund and/or support!
Choose McSteel for Used and Scrap Metal Removal
If your thrift store is piled high with unsold metal, don’t throw it away—bring it to McSteel Salvage & Clean-Up! Our team is happy to accept a wide range of scrap metal and help you clear out your overstock.
We offer several services that accommodate a variety of scrap loads. You can bring your scrap directly to our Wainwright or High Prairie locations or request bin services* for larger loads.
Visit our Services page to learn more about our process!
*Our bin services are currently waitlisted. Contact us to request a status update*