Scrap Metal Recycling Then & Now - Prices & Theft

Scrap metal recycling has changed since thecontractor that installed your new unit along with
economic rise & fall. When the metal recyclinga TX ID or DL, a picture may also be taken of
industry was booming 3 - 4 years back scrapyour vehicle. In Arkansas for instance (once rated
metal prices were high, (scrap copper wire asas the worst state in the US for scrap related
much as $3.50(. Very much has changed includingthefts) I remember one instance in which an
the way everyday household based metals areindividual stole spools of heavy copper wire that
recycled since those high scrap metal prices.were located at a electrical sub station just blocks
When the boom first started thefts were beingaway from a police department in Arkansas.
reported at a high rate, everything fromAnother instance was a person in Dallas/Ft Worth
cemetery grave plates & flower holders (BrassTX tried to cut down a live power line (Copper
Scrap) to church air conditioning units (Copper &wire) and suffered the consequences with his life.
Aluminum Scrap) were being stolen by individualsNow the laws in many cities regulate many items
causing as much as thousands of dollars insuch as scrap copper wire, residential/commercial
damage. Theft has finally fallen since most citiesa/c units or parts, electrical fixtures & so on. The
are making more regulated laws that concernbottom of the crisis has been reached, it seems
recycling and scrap metal prices have fell alongthat way anyway for the recycling industry since
with the rest of our economy.metal prices are on the rise again and thanks to
For instance in Fort Worth TX many recyclingthese laws the future of metal recycling should
yards will not accept a scrap residential airhave a lot less impact on thefts directly related to
conditioning unit unless you have a receipt from ahigh scrap metal prices.