It comes up on almost every first collection, so it is worth setting out plainly. We cannot pay cash for scrap metal. Not for small loads, not for regular customers, not as a favour.
The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013
The Act made it an offence for a scrap metal dealer in England and Wales to pay for scrap in cash. Payment has to be traceable, which in practice means bank transfer or a cheque made out to a named account. Dealers also have to verify the identity of everyone they buy from and keep those records for inspection.
What it means when you sell to us
- Bring photo ID and proof of address on collection day, or have them ready if we are coming to you.
- Payment goes out by BACS to an account in the name we verified, the same working day.
- Every load is documented with a weighbridge ticket and a waste transfer note.
If someone offers you cash
They are trading illegally, and that is not only their problem. Under Duty of Care, waste stays your responsibility until it reaches a properly licensed operator. If your metal is fly-tipped a fortnight later, the paper trail leads back to you, not to the man with the flatbed.
Ask any buyer for their waste carrier registration and their scrap metal dealer licence before the metal leaves your gate. A legitimate one will hand both over without hesitating.
Leave a Reply