Combined Metal Industries Inc.

We’ll take it from here

Public Yards Drop Off List

With few exceptions, as long as the majority of a product is made up of metal it can be dropped off at a CMI public yard. For more information, call CMI or check our frequently asked questions.

We accept:

* Call us before visiting, some conditions apply.

Cars: must have the gas tanks emptied and removed and there is a small deduction in weight if the tires are not removed. Please call your local public yard before transporting the vehicle, to ensure you are visiting the correct yard for disposal of the vehicle.

Pressurized Tanks: Propane tanks, beer kegs and other pressurized cylinders are best recycled through city dump locations. These items can be very dangerous to recycle (even empty) and should not be brought to CMI public yards.

A/C Units: Must be appropriately drained of Freon before transporting to a CMI public yard.

Fridges: Must be appropriately drained of Freon before transporting to a CMI public yard.

Freezers: Must be appropriately drained of Freon before transporting to a CMI public yard.

How Scrap Works

Sorting The Sorting Process

Once the scrap metals reach CMI yards, they are sorted on the basis of their properties. This process is made easier with specialized equipment and highly trained staff.

CMI yards are safe and well organized and our concrete-surfaced yards reduce the chance of contaminating the soil and nearby water sources.

Smelting & Purification How It Works – Smelting

The next step is to melt all the scrap metal with similar properties in a large furnace. Each metal has a specially designed furnace depending on its properties. The melting utilizes a lot of energy in the form of fuel, but the energy consumed in the process can be up to 95% less then using mined ore or virgin material. Some metals also have a 100% recovery rate, which means they can be recycled over and over again without diminished strength or becoming brittle.

Manufacturing The Finished Product

The refined products are used by manufacturers that produce finished goods for use in a wide range of product used in our everyday lives; thus completing the recycling process.

CMI & The Environment

CMI believes that recycling is an important way to help the environment by diverting reusable materials from landfills. All kinds of items in your household and work environment can be recycled. Recycling also saves energy as it takes less energy to recycle metals than it does to source new metals.

At CMI, scrap metal isn’t a waste item; it’s a valuable source of reusable material that can be used to make new products over and over again. CMI Public Yards will pay you for your metal recyclables.

Don’t Throw Away, We Will Pay!

Find Out More About How Scrap Metal Is Recycled

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Household Appliances

  • Old household appliances are dropped off at a CMI public yard and processed.
  • The appliances will go through a large machine known as a shredder. The shredder crushes and tears apart the appliances into fist sized chucks of mixed materials.
  • The mixed materials travel over a conveyor belt that uses magnets to pull out all the steel. Once all the steel is removed the remaining material will go through an Eddy Current Separator that uses powerful magnetic fields to separate non-ferrous (non- steel) metals from the waste material; such as copper or brass.
  • The clean metal materials are sent to a smelter or refiner that melts down the items.
  • Manufactures use the recycled metal to make new appliances, cars and infrastructure.
  • Recycling Steel requires 60% less energy than producing steel from new raw materials.
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Copper Scrap

  • Electrical cables & copper pipes are collected and dropped off at a CMI public yard.
  • The copper scrap is sorted and processed by quality before they are shipped to a refiner or smelter.
  • The copper scrap is then melted down and formed into ingots or other manageable forms for further manufacturing processes.
  • A manufacturer uses the newly formed copper to produce new products.
  • Recycling copper requires 90% less energy than producing copper from new raw materials.
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Aluminum Cans

  • Pop cans are collected and dropped off at a CMI public yard.
  • The pop cans are collected and taken to a treatment plant.
  • In the treatment plant the aluminum is sorted and cleaned.
  • It then goes through a re-melt process and turns into molten aluminum, this removes the coatings and inks that may be present on the aluminum.
  • The aluminum is then made into large blocks called ingots.
  • The ingots are then sent to mills where they are flattened and rolled out, this gives the aluminum greater flexibility and strength.
  • The aluminum sheets are then made into aluminum products such as cans, chocolate wrappers and tin foil.
  • A used aluminum can is recycled and back on the grocery shelf in as little as 60 days.
  • Recycling aluminum requires 95% less energy than producing aluminum from new raw materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I bring my scrap metal?

We are open to the general public and we also service commercial and industrial customers of all sizes. Click here for a list of CMI public yard locations.

What are your hours of operation?

Click here to select the nearest public yard to your location and a listing of open hours.

Can I “walk” into a CMI public yard to drop off my scrap metal?

CMI public yards are best accessed by vehicle, but you are welcome to drop off scrap metal if you walk into our yard. Remember to follow all instructions from the yard staff and pay attention to moving vehicles in the yard for your safety.

What products can I bring to the yard?

With few exceptions, as long as the majority of the product is made up of metal it can be dropped off at a CMI public yard. Click here to see a sample list of products you can drop off. For safety and environmental reasons the below products are not accepted or require processing before arriving at a CMI yard.

  • Cars: must have the gas tanks emptied and removed and there is a small deduction in weight if the tires are not removed. Please call your local public yard before transporting the vehicle, to ensure you are visiting the correct yard for disposal of the vehicle.
  • Pressurized Tanks: Propane tanks, beer kegs and other pressurized cylinders are best recycled through city dump locations. These items can be very dangerous to recycle (even empty) and should not be brought to CMI public yards.
  • A/C units: Must be appropriately drained of Freon before transporting to a CMI public yard.
  • Fridges: Must be appropriately drained of Freon before transporting to a CMI public yard.
  • Freezers: Must be appropriately drained of Freon before transporting to a CMI public yard.
Is there a minimum # of items or scrap weight I need before visiting a CMI public yard?

CMI public yards are capable of handling all delivery sizes. There are no minimums, every bit of metal that is recycled helps save the environment from growing landfills and puts money in your pocket.

Will CMI pick up my scrap metal for me?

To get the best price for your scrap metal, we recommend that you drop off your scrap metal items to our public yards. If you have a significant amount of scrap metal please contact your local public yard to discuss possible collection services.

Do I need to contact the public yard before I visit?

You can drop off your scrap metal at a CMI public yard without having to call ahead. CMI public yards are conveniently open extended hours to ensure everyone has a chance to visit the yard.

Do I need to wear any safety gear to visit the public yards?

CMI yards are well organized and the designated drop-off areas are well monitored for safety hazards. We’d recommend that you dress appropriate for an industrial environment, with at least closed toe shoes and full length pants to ensure your comfort. Please follow all posted yard rules and instructions to maximize your safety while visiting our yards.

Do I need to provide ID to drop off my scrap metal? Why?

CMI asks for photo ID to create an account in our system and your name is used to open the account. Your ID will not be copied or scanned into our system. Accounts that reach certain thresholds could be qualified for better pricing based on yearly volumes. We want to make sure you get the most out of your scrap metal revenues.

How do I figure out what kind of scrap metal I have?

Bring your scrap metal to a CMI public yard and one of our knowledgeable staff members will help identify what metals you have. It’s that easy.

Can I drop off electronic waste (e-waste) like old computers and TVs?

CMI public yards accept electronic waste. For a list of examples of what you can recycle click here.

Do you take non-metal materials?

Currently, CMI facilities specialize in the recycling of metallic products only. We do not recycle paper, cardboard, wood or plastic items at our facilities. Please refrain from bringing items that do not contain any metal components to our yards.

How much money will I get for my scrap metal?

CMI offers very competitive pricing. Prices can vary from day to day depending on market fluctuations. CMI uses calibrated certified digital scales that are visible to you at all times. These scales help ensure you get top dollar for your scrap metal. Contact your local CMI public yard for today’s prices.

How do I get paid for the scrap metal I bring to CMI?

CMI pays competitive prices for scrap metal in cash or by cheque.

Can I buy metal or car parts for a project I am working on?

To ensure the safety of our customers and staff, customers are not permitted to wander the yard. Items are not available for sale at our public yards.

Why don’t more people recycle scrap metal?

CMI is happy to help spread the word about how recycling scrap metal puts extra money into the pockets of our customers. Ask your local CMI public yard about any referral programs that may be available. Please call your local CMI public yard if you have any questions about your recyclable materials. Click here for a list of CMI public yard locations.