RJ
Rob John
June 2025
Waste Wize are excellent, turn up at short notice and deal with everything easily.
Materials Service
Scrap Metal Collection in London & the Home Counties
Collection and responsible recycling of ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal from commercial, industrial, and construction sites across London and the Home Counties. Competitive rates are available for large volumes; all collections are carried out under our Environment Agency Waste Carrier Licence with a full Duty of Care Waste Transfer Note issued as standard. We operate exclusively on a cashless basis in full compliance with the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013.
EA Licensed Duty of Care Docs Included Same-Week Availability
Ready to book Scrap Metal Collection? Get a fixed price within the hour.
Scope of Service
What Does Scrap Metal Collection Include?
- Structural steel — beams, columns, and sections
- Cast iron — radiators, pipes, and machinery
- Copper cabling, pipe, and sheet
- Aluminium — extrusions, profiles, guttering, and window frames
- Stainless steel — vessels, catering equipment, and fabrications
- Brass and bronze — valves, fittings, and ingots
- Lead — sheet, flashing, and pipework
- Mixed metals and white goods containing recoverable metal
More Detail
About Our Scrap Metal Collection Service
Scrap Metal Collection for London Businesses and Contractors
Construction sites, engineering workshops, electrical contractors, and commercial properties across London generate significant scrap metal volumes during normal operations — structural steel offcuts, copper cabling stripped during rewiring, aluminium window frames from building refurbishments, and cast iron radiators from heating system replacements. WasteWize collects all of these under our EA Waste Carrier Licence, with a full Duty of Care Waste Transfer Note on every collection. For large volumes of high-value metals — particularly copper, aluminium, and stainless steel — we offer competitive purchase rates paid by bank transfer within five working days of collection.
Metal Recycling — Why It Matters
Recycling metal is significantly more energy-efficient than producing it from raw ore. Recycled aluminium uses just 5% of the energy required for primary production from bauxite; recycled copper requires around 15% of the energy of smelting virgin ore. The UK steel industry relies on scrap as a primary feedstock, with electric arc furnaces producing new steel almost entirely from recycled material. When you use WasteWize for scrap metal collection, your material goes to certified smelters and shredders operating within the UK or EU — not through overseas intermediaries with unknown processing standards. We can provide the name and EA permit number of the receiving facility on your Waste Transfer Note.
The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 — What It Means for Your Business
The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 banned all cash payments for scrap metal — for both dealers and the individuals or businesses providing material. Any collector that offers cash for your scrap is operating illegally, and accepting cash payment from such a collector may implicate you in that offence. WasteWize is registered as a scrap metal collector and dealer under the Act. Where purchase rates are agreed for large volumes of high-value metals, all payments are made exclusively by bank transfer with a clear paper trail on both sides. We are happy to provide a copy of our registration certificate on request before any collection.
Step by Step
How Our Scrap Metal Collection Service Works
Every job follows the same documented process — from first contact to final Waste Transfer Note.
01
Enquiry & Rate
Tell us the metal type and approximate volume. For large volumes of high-value metals (copper, aluminium, stainless steel), we can offer a purchase rate. For smaller mixed loads, we quote a fixed collection charge.
02
Collection
Our vehicle arrives at your site and metal is loaded using appropriate equipment — trolleys, pallet trucks, chains, or a crane-lift for larger fabrications.
03
Segregation
Pre-segregated loads attract better rates. Mixed loads are separated at our depot before onward transfer. We will advise you on how to pre-sort for maximum return.
04
Waste Transfer Note
An official Duty of Care Waste Transfer Note is issued on collection, confirming the metal type, approximate weight, and the licensed receiving facility.
05
Recycling & Payment
Metal goes to a licensed shredder or smelter for full material recovery. Where a purchase rate applies, payment is made by bank transfer within five working days.
Regulatory Credentials
Licences & Documentation for Scrap Metal Collection
Every WasteWize collection comes with a complete compliance paper trail — so you have full legal protection from the moment we arrive.
EA
EA Waste Carrier Licence CBDU335711
Legally required for transportation of scrap metal as controlled waste between sites.
SMA
Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013
WasteWize is registered as a scrap metal collector and dealer. All payments are made by bank transfer — cash payments for scrap metal are illegal under the Act.
WTN
Duty of Care Waste Transfer Note
Issued on every collection under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Required for all business scrap metal disposals.
CML
Cashless Payments Only
Under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, cash payment for scrap metal is a criminal offence. All purchase payments are made by bank transfer.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Scrap Metal Collection
Do you pay cash for scrap metal?
No. Under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, paying cash for scrap metal is a criminal offence for both the payer and the recipient. All purchase payments for large volumes of scrap metal are made by bank transfer within five working days. We do not handle cash transactions under any circumstances.
What is the difference between ferrous and non-ferrous metal?
Ferrous metals contain iron — structural steel, cast iron, and mild steel are the most common examples. Non-ferrous metals do not contain iron — copper, aluminium, brass, lead, and stainless steel are the most common. Non-ferrous metals generally have a higher scrap value per tonne because of their material properties and the energy savings achieved through recycling versus primary production.
Do I need a waste transfer note for scrap metal?
Yes. Scrap metal is classified as controlled waste under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Any business disposing of scrap metal must use a registered waste carrier and retain a Duty of Care Waste Transfer Note as evidence of their duty-of-care compliance. WasteWize issues these on every commercial collection as standard.
Can you collect scrap metal from a residential property?
Yes. Homeowners with significant amounts of scrap metal — from a renovation, inherited machinery, or appliance disposal — can book a residential scrap metal collection. Our standard collection service applies; the Waste Transfer Note is provided as with any other collection.
You May Also Need
Related Services
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Builders waste removal from construction & refurbishment sites — segregated collections, muck-away, compliance docs.
Electrical Equipment
WEEE-compliant electrical recycling with transfer notes & data destruction.
Rubble & Wood Removal
Rubble, concrete & brick crushed for aggregate; timber chipped for biomass. Segregated loads.
Where We Work
Scrap Metal Collection Across London & the Home Counties
We cover all London boroughs and 12 Home County zones. Select your area for local pricing and availability.
Central London Westminster · Kensington · Chelsea North London Barnet · Enfield · Camden East London Stratford · Hackney · Newham South London Croydon · Bromley · Wandsworth West London Hammersmith · Ealing · Chiswick Middlesex Harrow · Uxbridge · Twickenham Surrey Guildford · Woking · Epsom Hertfordshire Watford · St Albans · Hemel Hempstead Essex Chelmsford · Romford · Brentwood Kent Bromley · Sevenoaks · Maidstone Berkshire Reading · Slough · Windsor Buckinghamshire High Wycombe · Aylesbury · Amersham
Don't see your town? View the full coverage map →
Ready to Book?
Get a Free Quote for Scrap Metal Collection
Tell us about your job and we will provide a fixed-price quote — usually within the hour. Same-week availability across London and the Home Counties.