Yes, you can still break into the scrap metal business on a shoestring. And, yes, you can still turn other people's junk into gold. The best way to start out is by becoming a local "junk" dealer. All you really need to get started is plenty of empty boxes and a pickup truck. Pretty much ANY metal that you will find is worth good money these days.

Become friendly with your local contractors, plumbers, electricians, roofers, machine shop owners, anyone who deals with metals. If you can work out a deal with them, contract with these local sources to remove their throw away metals on a regular basis. Most of them will be more than happy to just give it to you, it saves them the time and expense of hauling it away. Sort out the metal according to type...aluminum, brass, copper, iron, steel, tin, etc. After being separated, it's worth at least $30 a ton or more. Next, you need to search for scrap metal processors through your local yellow pages. They are more than anxious to buy all the scrap that you can bring them at the going rates.

Be sure to let people know that you are in now in the business of "recycling" metals. Most people will just give you what they have for free. Put up signs in laundromats and any bulletin board you can find all over town. Maybe even hire some high school kids to distribute flyers house-to-house. If you are so motivated, you can even establish your own "recycling center," providing a space with separate bins for each of the different metals. Because people are so ecology-minded these days, they will gladly bring their scrap metal to you.

Contact all of your local businesses and arrange to pick up their scrap metal on a regular basis. Thousands of fortunes have been built in exactly this way, very simple, low-investment beginning. After you've gained enough experience buying and selling local scrap metal, you may want to jump into the big time of scrap metal, the "junk automobile" business.

This is the very best source of scrap metals. Your prime markets for used and no longer wanted reconditioned parts will be body shops, garages, and service stations. Find and tow in wrecked and abandoned cars. Buy old cars for as little as $25 each and strip them for usable parts, then sell the rest as scrap metal. You will always sell the metal to metal processors or even brokers if you are fortunate enough to find them.

Here are three excellent scrap metals publications that can help you get started in this highly profitable business:

American Metal Markets
7 E. 12th Street
New York, NY

Scrap Age
6311 Gross Pt. Rd
Niles, IL 60648

Institute of Scrap
1729 H Street
Washington, DC 20006