Recycle Your Metal

Want To Recycle Metal But You’re Unsure How? We Can Help You With That.

How To Recycle Your Metal

Trade Suppliers

What To Do On Arrival

Arrive and check-in

Drive onto the weighbridge, exit your vehicle, and head to Reception upstairs via the metal stairs at the front of the building (clearly marked).

Wear safety gear

Put on a high-vis vest/jacket and hard hat before entering the site, in line with safety rules.

Provide delivery details

At Reception, give the weighbridge operator your account name, site address, and material grade.

Always report to reception

Even if you’re familiar with the site, check in every visit to stay informed and keep operations running smoothly.

Unload and finalise

Follow directions to unload your materials, then return to the weighbridge and Reception to complete your paperwork.

Account set-up and payment

New account information

If you are a VAT-registered trade supplier visiting for the first time, please contact us in advance to set up an account. We will provide you with a form to complete to register you in our system.

Invoicing and payment

When you weigh out, you will receive a Weighbridge Ticket showing the weights and metal grades we have accepted.
At the end of each month, we will issue a statement of goods received. You can then submit your invoice for payment.
We can provide a statement of goods received and payment at any time of the month, so please just get in touch, or let us know when you are on site if you want this issued at a more convenient time for you.

Pricing and Market Fluctuations

Metal prices fluctuate based on market conditions, meaning the price you receive will vary from one visit to the next. For current pricing, please give us a call.

Non-Trade (domestic) suppliers

What to do on arrival

Arriving By Car

If you have ferrous metal, drive onto the weighbridge.
For non-ferrous metal, park in one of our designated bays.
Then head to reception via the metal stairs at the front of the weighbridge building.

Arriving By Foot

If arriving on foot, please follow the clearly marked pedestrian walkway.
The weighbridge operator will then guide you through the next steps.

Minimum quantities

We encourage everyone to recycle their metals. If you are doing so on a domestic scale, we recommend accumulating:

Ferrous Metals quantity: over 50kg.
Non-ferrous metals quantity: over 5kg.

Legal Requirements and Rules

No Cash Payments

Under the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015, we are legally prohibited from paying cash for scrap metal and must follow strict identification procedures.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation—these are government regulations with no exceptions.

Acceptable forms of ID

A UK Driver’s Licence (must show your photo and address).
A Passport (any nationality) plus a currently dated utility bill, mobile phone bill, bank statement, or government/HMRC correspondence showing your current address.

Site Safety and Rules

When visiting, please remember that you are entering industrial premises. For your safety, always:

Follow all site rules (clearly displayed and available in print).
Adhere to staff instructions at all times.

Payment

Payment Methods

Given the prohibition of paying cash for scrap metal, we offer the following methods of payment:

Bank Transfer: Requires your sort code and account number. Same-day payment if completed before 4 PM; after 4 PM or on Saturdays, payments will appear on the next working day. A transaction charge of 60p is applied to your self bill to cover bank fees.
Cheque: Available on request. A transaction charge of £1.00 is applied to your self bill to cover banking fees.

Payment Terms

The payment details must match the identification documents we have taken. You will also be provided with a detailed breakdown of the weights and rates of the material you have sold to us.

Pricing and Market Fluctuations

Metal prices fluctuate based on market conditions, meaning the price you receive will vary from one visit to the next. For current pricing, please give us a call.

Metal we buy

The guide below outlines the major grades of metals we purchase, along with a few examples. If you’re unsure, feel free to bring it to us. Our expert staff will identify the metal for you and provide an appropriate price accordingly.

For safety reasons, there are a few exclusions to what we accept. We encourage responsible and safe disposal of these restricted items.

Metal We Buy

Non-Ferrous Metals

Overview

Do not contain iron. Generally non-magnetic and less corrosive than ferrous metals.
Supplied in various volumes.
Generally weighed on our high-quality, maintained, and calibrated scales.
Extensive range with many different types.
Priced competitively, determined by metal market conditions

Minimum quantities

Over 5kg

Non-ferrous metals we accept

Aluminium

Gun Metals and Phosphor Bronzes

Brass

Lead and Tin

Braziery

Nickel and Alloys

Copper

Zinc

Cable

Stainless Steel

Metal We Buy

Ferrous Metals

Overview

Includes all iron and steel products.
Graded and priced according to thickness and robustness (e.g., heavy structural steel commands a higher price than thin, flexible iron).
Often supplied in higher volumes.
Weighed in over the weighbridge.
Identified by magnet—if a magnet sticks to it, it’s ferrous metal.
Priced competitively, determined by metal market conditions

Minimum quantities

Over 50kg

Ferrous Metals We Accept

Structural Steel

Light Iron

Cast Iron

Mixed Iron and Steel

Catalytic Converters (£-£££)

Please bring catalytic converters in by prior arrangement.
We can only buy them if we can identify them on a register, and their prices vary.
To ensure accuracy in valuation and compliance, we require additional time to process these items properly.
Please contact us to arrange an appointment before bringing in your catalytic converters.

Exclusions

While we take almost anything made of metal, there are a few exclusions for safety reasons. We encourage you to dispose of these items responsibly.

Items we accept but don’t pay for

We’re happy to recycle the following items, but due to the high concrete content, we do not offer payment for them:

Washing machines

Some tumble dryers

Safes (must be unlocked or drilled through for acceptance)

If you’re bringing any of these items, please report to reception, and we’ll direct you on where to place them.

Items We Do Not Accept

While we take almost anything made of metal, there are a few exclusions for safety reasons. We encourage you to dispose of these items responsibly:

Fridges and freezers

Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE) containing lithium-ion batteries

Pressurised cylinders

Radioactive material

Loads contaminated with asbestos

Draught casks or kegs

General Public Sales

Unfortunately, we do not sell small quantities of metal, car parts, or individual pieces to the general public.

For safety reasons, public access to operational areas of our yard is not permitted.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in keeping our site a safe working environment.

Why Recycle?

Metal Can Be Recycled Forever

Metal doesn’t degrade with each cycle, it can be melted down and reused endlessly, reducing the need for mining new raw materials.

Cuts Emissions and Pollution

Recycling metal helps conserve CO₂ emissions, saves water, and prevents water pollution, protecting the planet with every load.

Contribute to the Circular Economy

By keeping metal out of landfill, you help create a sustainable loop where waste becomes a valuable resource again.

Get Paid for Recycling

We grade and process all metals using state-of-the-art plant machinery so you get competitive prices and help the planet at the same time.

Metal Is Essential To Life

Metal forms the foundation of our cities, appliances, vehicles, and devices. Recycling metal responsibly protects the supply of this essential material for future generations.

Learn more about recycling

As proud and active members of the British Metals Recycling Association, we recommend their excellent resources for further in-depth information on the environmental, economic, and regulatory aspects of our industry.

British Metals Recycling Association

Learn more

Take a look at this video created by the British Metals Recycling Association.

Contact Us

We are happy to help, here’s how to get in touch

0131 552 5559

recycle@williamwaugh.co.uk

12 West Harbour Road
Edinburgh
EH5 1PH

Open Monday – Friday 8.15 – 5pm & Saturday 8-12

*We close for a short lunch break from 12:30 PM to 1:15 PM. If you urgently need assistance during this time, please call ahead to make arrangements.