Residents in Frenzy for Bulk Items

Two days before the scheduled pick-up, residents in our neighborhood were covering their front lawns with bulk items, or what we call 'junk'. The city changed its bulk collection schedules a year ago, and with fewer collection dates, the residents are accumulating more junk to be collected. But this is not to talk about the collections and the amount of bulk for the city workers of Detroit on Bulk Day, but to state the benefits these fewer collection dates have given 'junk' collectors.

Collectors and regular residents were seen throughout the neighborhood on both Tuesday and Wednesday, May 27-8 collecting valuable items to be taken for scrap metal. Believe me, if one didn't know any better, they'd swear the neighborhood was having a block yard sale! LOL.

I had the opportunity to ride shotgun with a couple of neighbors who were in the running with other 'junk' collectors, and I must say the experience was a learning one. It's a lot of money to be made in the recycling business. One of the collectors stated that there are certain metals that are acceptable at the recycling center. Say for instance, copper and brass are a high commodity when dealing with scrap metal.

Scrap metal is divided into two types: ferrous and nonferrous. Ferrous scrap is scrap iron and steel. This includes scrap from old cars, household appliances, steel beams, railroad tracks, ships, and food packaging and other containers. And see, when someone feels they have something like an old shower head, they throw it away, not knowing that it can be worth some money. Now I know there are many of you saying that the payment is small, but things can add up, and usually does. And as Abdullah stated it, "You never know what you're getting when you're 'junking'..." There was research into the cash amounts for recycling scrap metal, but my research came up short and invasive.

Another collector stated that the more you take in, the more money you get. I'm sure of that, but the information was useful to pass along to someone who just may be interested in collecting.....can I say: junk.

Most recycling centers offer payment for the scrap metal by way of weight. So if you're looking to get big money, you may want to grab those big items; but make sure that the material is indeed a non-ferrous metal like copper, aluminum and/or brass. Items that hold this material are generally Plumbing (brass); siding, auto radiators (aluminum); electrical wire and/or roofing (copper).

Local recycling centers in detroit can be found at:

Davison Yard - 8221 West Davison
Southfield Yard - 12255 Southfield Service Dr.
5840 Anthon between Cavalry and Campbell
5580 Concord at East Grand Boulevard
State Fair Yard - 19715 John R
Waste Management Transfer Station - 1550 Harper, enter on Ferry St.