Owner-operated · Minneapolis Local

Scrap Metal and Junk Recycling: We Haul It Responsibly

Licensed, local, and equipped to handle everything from old appliances to commercial scrap metal.

4.9 from 1,987 Google reviews

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What metal recycling involves

If you've got junk and scrap metal piling up, old appliances, torn-out plumbing, aluminum siding, filing cabinets, or decades of accumulated steel, Junk Genius handles pickup, hauling, and responsible recycling in one call. We've been doing this work for about 15 years, we hold MN License #3772090-2, and our crews carry certifications in recycling management and waste handling. With 1,987 Google reviews averaging 4.9 stars, you're not taking a chance on an unknown hauler. Call (612) 444-5865 and we'll quote you the same day.

Metal recycling isn't a single process. Ferrous metals like iron and steel require different handling than nonferrous materials like copper, aluminum, and brass, and the value and disposal pathway for each varies considerably. What drives the cost and complexity of a scrap metal pickup is the volume, the mix of materials, and how accessible the load is. A stack of rebar in an open driveway is a straightforward job; a decommissioned appliance bank in a basement crawl space is not. We assess each job individually, keep our pricing transparent and volume-based, and won't pad a quote to cover unknowns you never agreed to. Every job is different, contact Junk Genius - Minneapolis for an accurate estimate.

What We Take

Metals and Materials We Recycle

From aluminum cans to structural steel, we handle residential and commercial scrap with the same care.

Household Appliances

Refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, and ovens are among the most common scrap metal pickups we run. These contain a mix of ferrous steel, aluminum, and copper components. We coordinate proper refrigerant handling for applicable units and route materials to certified recycling facilities rather than landfill. For dedicated appliance pickup, see our appliance removal and disposal service.

Aluminum and Tin

Aluminum cans, tin containers, aluminum window frames, gutters, and siding all qualify. Aluminum is one of the most economically recoverable metals in circulation, recycling it uses roughly 95% less energy than producing it from raw ore. We aggregate and route it to certified facilities that adhere to state and federal processing standards.

Copper and Plumbing

Copper is the highest-value scrap in most residential cleanouts. Old plumbing pipes, electrical wiring, and copper fixtures are worth recovering properly rather than treating as garbage. Our team identifies and separates copper from mixed scrap loads during the pickup process. For dedicated copper recovery, we offer a standalone copper recycling service.

Yard and Garden Metal

Lawn mowers, metal garden furniture, fencing, and old swing sets are regulars in our scrap pickups. These items are awkward to transport in a personal vehicle and are often declined by standard waste haulers. We load and haul them as part of a broader job or as standalone pickups, depending on volume.

Electronics and Small Devices

Computers, phones, and small electronics contain recoverable metals including aluminum, copper, and trace precious metals. We accept these for responsible recycling, separating the metal components from hazardous materials like circuit board chemicals, which require separate handling. For a full electronics pickup, our TV removal and recycling service covers larger items.

Commercial and Industrial Scrap

Rebar, structural steel beams, metal shavings, office shelving, and filing cabinets are standard fare for our commercial clients. Construction sites, renovation contractors, and offices undergoing buildouts generate scrap that general dumpster services aren't always equipped to route correctly. We arrange bulk pickups and keep the process in compliance with regulatory standards.

How It Works

Our Metal Recycling Process, Start to Finish

01
Assessment and Quote
We begin with an evaluation of the type and volume of metal you're clearing. You'll get a no-obligation, transparent quote before any work begins. Volume-based pricing means you pay for what you have, not a flat rate padded for worst-case scenarios.
02
Pickup and Sorting
Our certified crew loads and sorts on-site, separating ferrous from nonferrous metals and flagging any materials that require special handling. We do the heavy lifting so you don't have to, and we leave the space cleaner than we found it.
03
Responsible Recycling
Materials are routed to certified recycling facilities that meet state and federal environmental standards. We don't dump recyclable metal in landfill. We donate and recycle as much as we can whenever possible.

Commercial Clients

Bulk Scrap Metal Hauling for Businesses and Contractors

Construction sites, manufacturing operations, and office cleanouts each come with specific scrap volumes we're built to handle.

Commercial scrap metal management isn't the same problem as a residential cleanout, and we don't treat it that way. Construction sites accumulate rebar, cut structural steel, miscellaneous fasteners, and framing metal throughout a project lifecycle. Manufacturing facilities generate metal shavings, reject parts, and machinery at end of service. Office buildouts leave behind filing cabinets, shelving units, and partitioning systems that are largely steel and aluminum. For these clients, Junk Genius arranges scheduled bulk pickups that accommodate project timelines rather than forcing your operation to work around our schedule. We're equipped to handle mixed commercial loads, separate materials by type, and document disposal for compliance purposes where needed. Regulatory standards for commercial metal disposal in Minnesota aren't optional, and our crews are trained accordingly. If your project also generates non-metal debris, our construction debris removal and cleanout services can be bundled into the same job. One call, one crew, one haul.

Interior demolition and junk removal work in progress, showing exposed framing, insulation removal, and structural gutting of a residential space.

Why Junk Genius

What Sets This Service Apart From a Standard Scrap Run

Sixteen years in the trade, 1,987 reviews, and a license number you can verify.

MN License #3772090-2: Fully licensed hauler operating under state regulatory standards, not a side-operation with a pickup truck.
Certified Recycling Management: Our crews hold certifications in MSW Hauling, Waste Management Safety, and Recycling Management. This isn't a credential we mention for show.
Volume-Based, Transparent Pricing: You pay for the amount of metal you're recycling, not a padded flat fee. No-obligation quotes before any work begins.
Certified Facility Partners: We route all scrap to recycling facilities that meet strict environmental standards and state and federal regulations, not the nearest dumpster.

What People Say

From Real Customers

Riley Jay

Sosa and Diego did an incredible job on my garage. I had bought a house and the seller had left all sorts of junk in the garage including an old fridge and many mattresses. They were able to work with me to get it done fast and affordably. I will definitely be keeping them in mind for future work.

Diane Hansmeier

I had a few places come do estimates, and Junk Genius was definitely the most reasonable. They were also able to switch our day/time when we had something coming up. Big shout out to Lester and Isaiah! They were friendly, respectful of the space, and incredibly efficient!

Dusty Kemmis

Fast and very good communication. Cleaned out some debris I have been looking at for months. Well worth the price for getting it gone quickly. Saved me a day of doing it myself. Thank you!

Common Questions

Metal Recycling FAQs

What's the highest paying scrap metal right now?

Copper consistently commands the highest scrap value, followed by aluminum and brass. Ferrous metals like iron and steel carry lower per-pound rates but are accepted in volume. Prices fluctuate with commodity markets, which is why we don't publish fixed rates. If you've got a load with significant copper content, that's worth noting when you call us, it affects both the quote and the routing.

What is metal recycling?

Metal recycling is the process of collecting, sorting, and processing scrap metal so it can be remelted and reused in manufacturing rather than sent to landfill. Ferrous metals like steel and iron are separated from nonferrous metals like copper, aluminum, and brass because they require different processing. Recycled metal uses a fraction of the energy that raw ore extraction requires, for aluminum, the difference is roughly 95%.

What are the current scrap metal prices in Minnesota?

Scrap metal prices in Minnesota track national commodity markets and shift weekly. Copper tends to range from $2 to $4 per pound depending on grade and market conditions; aluminum typically runs $0.25 to $0.80 per pound; steel and iron hover closer to $0.05 to $0.15 per pound. These are market reference points, not our quoted rates. Call us for a job-specific quote based on your actual volume and material mix.

How much is 2,000 lbs of aluminum worth?

At typical scrap rates for aluminum in Minnesota, 2,000 pounds falls in a range that varies considerably based on the grade and form of the aluminum. Clean sheet aluminum commands a higher rate than mixed aluminum with coatings or attachments. For a load of that volume, the difference between grades can add up to hundreds of dollars. Our team assesses the grade during pickup and ensures materials are routed to facilities that maximize recovery value.

Do you accept scrap metal from a renovation or demolition project?

Yes. Renovation and demolition projects routinely generate mixed metal loads including structural steel, copper wiring, aluminum framing, and miscellaneous hardware. We handle bulk commercial pickups and can coordinate scheduling around your project timeline. If your load also includes non-metal construction debris, our crews can handle the full haul in a single visit. Mixed loads are assessed individually for accurate pricing.

Can I recycle old appliances that still contain refrigerant?

Refrigerant-containing appliances like refrigerators and window air conditioning units require proper refrigerant recovery before the metal can be processed. We coordinate that handling as part of our appliance recycling service, so you don't need to arrange it separately. Attempting to crush or cut open refrigerant-containing units without proper recovery is an EPA violation, and we won't skip that step to save time.

Get a Free Quote on Scrap Metal Pickup Today

Metal piles up faster than it gets dealt with. We've been hauling it out of Twin Cities homes and job sites for about 15 years.

Call (612) 444-5865 Get a free quote