Business Scrap Recycling: Get the Most from Non-Ferrous Metals

Greenway Metal Recycling buys non-ferrous scrap from businesses only—serving commercial, industrial, construction, demolition, and large clean-ups within ~250 miles of Chicago. Minimum: one truckload. We do not buy from the public. Ask about our Free Scrap Audit to make sure you’re getting the maximum return. Standard payment is processed within five business days of pickup.

Who We Work With (Business-Only)

We partner with companies that generate bulk metal scrap:

• Manufacturers & machine shops (chips, trim, off-cuts, obsolete parts)
• Electrical contractors & utilities (copper wire, conduit, components)
• Demolition & facility clean-outs (recoverable non-ferrous metals)
• Construction firms (roofing/gutters, pipe, panels, flashing)
• Warehousing & logistics (damaged or obsolete metal goods)

Minimum requirement: One truckload (roll-offs, consolidated hoppers, or equivalent).
Not accepted: public drop-offs, residential loads, or walk-ins.

Also buying ferrous: We purchase ferrous metals too. 

What Is Non-Ferrous Scrap?

Non-ferrous metals don’t contain significant iron, so they’re not magnetic and resist rust/corrosion. They retain their properties through recycling and typically bring higher value.

Common non-ferrous metals we buy:

• Aluminum — sheet, extrusion, cast, rims, plate
• Copper — bare bright, #1/#2, tubing, buss bar
• Insulated Copper Wire — high-recovery/low-recovery
• Brass — yellow/red brass, radiators
• Lead — soft lead, wheel weights
• Zinc, Tin, Nickel Alloys — clean solids, select alloys

Quick check: If a magnet doesn’t stick, it’s likely non-ferrous.

Free Scrap Audit: Make Sure You’re Getting the Maximum

A Free Scrap Audit is a fast way to boost your return without disrupting production. We’ll evaluate:

• Material segregation (are high-value grades mixed?)
• Container strategy (right sizes/locations to avoid cross-contamination)
• Prep steps (simple removals that prevent downgrades)
• Pickup cadence (timing that fits your output and space)
• Documentation needs (Certificates of Destruction, scale tickets)

You get a summary with actionable recommendations to capture more value.

How to Maximize Your Non-Ferrous Scrap Value

1) Sort by metal type
Keep copper, aluminum, brass, etc., in separate containers. Don’t mix types.

2) Separate premium grades

• Bare bright copper vs. #1/#2
• Aluminum extrusion vs. cast vs. sheet

3) Remove obvious contamination
Cut off steel bolts where feasible; avoid plastic/rubber contamination.

4) Use the right containers
Self-dumping hoppers near machines, gaylords for wire/parts, roll-offs for volume.

5) Drain and cap
Make sure items with fluids are compliant and safe to handle.

How Pickup Works

1. Request service and share material types/approximate volumes
2. We deliver containers or use yours—sized for your workflow
3. You load as part of normal operations
4. We pick up, process, and provide transparent grading + scale tickets
5. Payment is processed within five business days

Need documentation? We provide Certificates of Destruction on request.

Why Companies Choose Greenway

• Free Scrap Audit to ensure you’re getting the maximum
• Payment processed within five business days of pickup
• Reliable scheduling tailored to production flow
• No hidden charges for fuel, transport, or containers
• Clear, audit-friendly paperwork (scale tickets, grading, Certificates of Destruction)

FAQs (People Often Ask)

Do you accept small loads or public drop-offs?
No. We serve businesses only with a truckload minimum.

How do we get better pricing?
Segregate by metal type, keep premium grades separate, remove obvious contamination, and use the right containers.

How fast is payment?
Standard payment is processed within five business days of pickup.

Do you provide Certificates of Destruction?
Yes—available on request.

Do you only buy non-ferrous?
We buy non-ferrous and ferrous. This article focuses on non-ferrous; see our ferrous page for steel/iron grades.

What’s your service area?
Chicago plus ~250 miles with scheduled and on-demand pickups for qualified volumes.

If your business generates a truckload or more of non-ferrous or ferrous scrap, let’s build a simple program that pays.

• Request your Free Scrap Audit (identify quick wins for better value)
• Schedule a pickup that matches your production timeline
• Ask for our prep checklist & container labels for your team

We’ll set up containers, pickups, and documentation—so you can stay focused on production. When it comes to scrap metal, Chicago businesses can count on Greenway Metal Recycling for the best value!