Scrap Metal Law

[ferlew]

I did try and understand the new legislation on this, but failed miserably.
My son is fascinated with old tools, and often gets a really low bid in on a job lot, just to get something choice.
Thing is, he is left with lots of 'junk'. I suggested selling the metal for scrap, he wasn't sure if it's allowed these days.
Does anyone have any good information please?

[Buenchico]

You seem to be (unnecessarily) confused!

Section 146 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 made changes to the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964 so that scrap metal dealers are now prohibited from paying cash for scrap metal. (They can only pay by cheque or electronic transfer). However the buying and selling of scrap metal remains perfectly legal. (If it wasn't, a vital recycling industry would come to a standstill!)

[frugalfred]

I sold the lead flashing from my chimney recently, after replacement. Got about £70 for it, BUT - had to produce a passport,(photocopied by the firm) fill out a form, name, age, address, etc. and was paid on the spot by cheque.

[ferlew]

Many thanks both, so he CAN sell the rubbish for scrap value. Just not cash. Which is fine.

[Peter Pedant]

yeah basically he needs identity if he is gonna sell
presumably the usual List A - identity - such as passport
and list B adress- bannk statement, utility bill

[ferlew]

Not a prob, ta PP.

[EDDIE51]

The price for Iron and steel scrap is only around £200 a tonne , 20p a kilo, so old tools will probably not even raise the price of petrol to drive them to the scrap yard. Copper,Lead , Aluminium are the high price items. Copper is over £2.50 a kilo !.
Old tools sell on ebay for good prices have a look you will be surprised what stuff goes for.

[EDDIE51]

Can't get ebay to link into here, possibly still having problems, but a job lot of old steel tools weight 25Kg just sold for £25.50 they would have got £2.50 as scrap metal

[ferlew]

Will peep when Ebay starts behaving itself, ta.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

Most scrap dealers can only pay you by cheque or transfer....however some are getting registered as cheque cashing centres and will give you a cheque at one desk and cash it at the next...so many are, business as usual....for the time being at least.