Scrappers Look for Copper, Residential Steel

The idea of "scrappers," or people who go from place to place looking for scrap metal to sell, is on

The idea of "scrappers," or people who go fromplace to place looking for scrap metal to sell, is on the rise given thecurrent unemployment rolls. Copper and steel are two lucrative scrap metals,but scrap metal can even be used in commercial and residential steelproduction, making it even more valuable.

It's also becoming more scarce as more and more people arediscovering how lucrative it can be as a side income, or even as a full-timeincome if necessary. It's prompted people to arrive at sites of recent fires toask about scrap copper and steel, and check appliances for scrap. It's alsoseeing a rise in metal being stolen from people and homes in order to turn itin for cash.

It's acceptable to the police for scrappers to pick up metalthat's left behind after a car accident, for example. But approaching someonewho's been in an accident by trespassing, or even harassing them about thescrap metal, is unacceptable but becoming more common.

Copper's going for about $2.90 a pound, and steel is goingat the price of 100 pounds for $10, many people from the construction industrywho were laid off after the housing bubble burst are out gathering scrap metal.Wilma Williams who managed the office of a salvage company in Delaware saysabout 100 come through per day to sell metal, and some are even elderly peopletrying to supplement their fixed incomes. And naturally, at least some of itturns out to be stolen from steel buildings.

Steel building homes that burn leave steel framing and pieces that can be stolen, and anykind of residential steel like from vehicles and appliances are at risk oftheft in today's economy. But Delaware state law requires that people who bringin copper and brass and other premium metals must have their picture taken withthe metals they're selling, and must have their driver's license numbersrecorded. At Williams' salvage yard, state troopers come in about once a weekand look through these folders, looking for stolen metal items and suspects.

Recent irrigation equipment thefts have made salvage yardsand law enforcement authorities more diligent about looking through therecords. And as the price goes up, more stolen residential steel and othermetals will keep cropping up. Many scrappers drive around several neighborhoodsand bring in appliances like stoves, dryers, washers and refrigerators that havebeen left on the roadside, which is acceptable. And some leave their phonenumbers at doors and posted on community bulletin boards at places likes storesand Laundromats.

Many offer to pick up unwanted appliances and haul them awayat no charge, which appeals to homeowners who don't scrap and don't want tohave to pay to have something removed. Others offer lump sum cash payments forvehicles, such as up to $150 for a non-running car, then take the vehicle to asalvage yard as scrap metal and make 2 to 4 times what they paid.