You’ve got a pile of scrap metal, and you want it gone. You’ve heard you can get a free scrap pickup, and you’re ready to book it. Now the question is whether the pickup will be smooth and quick, or slow and awkward. A lot of that depends on your preparation. Use this guide as a cheat sheet on your phone, print it, or stick it on the fridge. It covers what to do in the days before H&Z Scrap Metal arrives and what to do when they reach your property.
The 60-Second Summary
If you only read one part of this guide, read this. Do six things before pickup:
- Collect your metal in one convenient place.
- Sort the different types.
- Remove dangerous or non-metal items, if it’s safe to do so.
- Clear a path for the team and the truck.
- Be ready to explain what you have and where it is.
- Have your ID and a contact number handy.
Everything below explains how to do each of these well.
3 to 7 Days Before: Know What You Have
First, take a walk around your property and list the items. It doesn’t have to be exact. Something like “old washing machine, a bundle of copper pipe, two aluminium ladders, a pile of steel offcuts and a car battery” is perfect. A clear description tells the H&Z Scrap Metal team the scope of the job and what vehicle or equipment they may need, and flags anything that needs special attention. It also stops a “small load” driver turning up to a big job. Even better, take photos on your phone. They answer most questions before anyone asks.
Confirm What Can Be Picked Up
There’s no better price than free, but it’s always best to confirm the details when you book. Ask H&Z Scrap Metal which types and amounts of metal they take, whether any areas or conditions apply, and how pickup works for your load. Every scrap business is a little different, and a short chat up front removes the guesswork. You can contact H&Z Scrap Metal with your list and photos when you’re ready.
Choose Your Pickup Spot
Pick one place to gather the metal. The ideal spot is on the ground, outdoors, and easy to reach from the street or driveway. If your metal is spread across the backyard, shed, side of the house and garage, try to bring it together before pickup day. If you can’t lift heavy items, that’s fine. Just mention it when you book, and the team will handle it.
Sort Your Metals
This step has the biggest impact and is the most often skipped. You don’t need to be an expert. Sorting into a few groups is enough.
The Magnet Test
Grab a fridge magnet or a small magnet from the toolbox and hold it against each item. If it sticks, it’s most likely steel or iron (ferrous metal). If it doesn’t, it’s most likely a non-ferrous metal such as aluminium, copper, brass or stainless steel. A magnet is a good first test, but some types of stainless steel aren’t magnetic. Once you’re done, make two piles: magnetic and non-magnetic. That alone is already a very helpful sort.
Spotting Common Non-Ferrous Metals
- Copper: reddish-orange, like a new penny. Found in pipes, electrical wire and some older hot water parts.
- Brass: yellow, gold-like colour. Used for taps, fittings and door handles.
- Aluminium: light, silvery and soft. Think ladders, window frames, drink cans and some outdoor furniture.
- Stainless steel: shiny and typically rust-resistant. Found in sinks, appliances and kitchen equipment.
Don’t worry if you can’t identify something. Put it in an “unsure” pile and tell the H&Z Scrap Metal team. These are questions they handle every day.
Your Quick Sorting Checklist
- Ferrous items that attract a magnet
- Aluminium items such as ladders, frames and cans
- Copper pipe and wire
- Brass fittings and taps
- Stainless steel items
- Anything you’re not sure about
Keep the piles separate, and put small pieces in buckets, crates or boxes so nothing gets lost.
Safety and Special Items
Take a few minutes before pickup to deal with anything hazardous. This keeps you, the team and your property safe.
Items That Need Special Care
- Gas bottles and fire extinguishers: contain high-pressure contents. Never cut, drill or puncture them.
- Car batteries: contain heavy metals and acid. Never tip or crack them. See the old car battery mistakes to avoid.
- Fridges, freezers and air conditioners: can contain refrigerant gas, which should be handled by trained people.
- Oil, fuel and chemicals: never drain leftovers from a device or pour them on the ground.
The golden rule is simple. If you’re unsure whether something is safe or acceptable, contact H&Z Scrap Metal before pickup day. It’s better to ask early than be surprised on the day.
Items to Keep Out of Your Scrap
Avoid adding general rubbish, food waste, timber, plastic or building materials to your metal pile. Anything that isn’t metal can slow things down or may not be accepted. If it’s safe, remove large non-metal parts such as plastic covers, rubber hoses or wooden handles. You don’t need to strip everything down; a simple clean-up is enough.
Protect Yourself While Gathering
Wear sturdy gloves and closed shoes. Old metal can be sharp, rusty or heavy. Lift with your legs, ask for help with heavy items, and never try to move a large appliance alone.
The Day Before: Final Checks
You’re almost there. The day before pickup is for last-minute checks.
The Final Walk-Through
Do one last lap of your property. Make sure all the metal is in the pickup area. Check sheds, under decks and behind garages, because plenty of people remember something at the last minute. Keep the piles tidy and small items in boxes or buckets. Make sure no hazardous material has been mixed in. If you’ve changed your mind about an item, take it out now, not on the day.
Clear the Path
Picture a truck arriving and the team walking to your pile. Is the way clear? Move cars, bins, bikes, pot plants and other obstacles. If your gate is normally locked, make sure it’s open or that someone will be home to open it. If you have a dog, keep it secure. Also think about where the truck will stop. A clear driveway or safe spot on the street makes loading easier and faster.
Check the Weather
Rain makes the ground harder to move across and can make scrap slippery and heavy. If the forecast looks bad, ask H&Z Scrap Metal about adjusting the time. A little flexibility makes for a safer, smoother pickup.
Pickup Day
Be reachable.Keep your phone handy. When the team arrives they may need to confirm something, and if you’re running early or late, a quick call or message keeps things smooth. It also helps if you or someone else is home to show exactly what’s being collected.
Show and explain.When the team arrives, take them to the pile and explain what’s in it. If there are items nearby that you want to keep, point them out. On properties with lots of metal, a few seconds of clear communication prevents mix-ups.
Have your ID ready.Australian scrap metal dealers must keep records of the people they deal with, so you may be asked for identification. Have photo ID, such as a driver’s licence, on hand. If you’re not sure what you’ll need, ask when you book to avoid delays on the day.
Stay safe and out of the way. Keep pets and children away from the loading zone. Moving heavy objects and metal can be dangerous, so keep the area uncluttered so the team can work quickly and safely. Once everything is collected, do a quick check that the area is clear and nothing has been left behind.
The Full Checklist
Print this and save it.
- Write down what you have and take photos.
- Confirm with H&Z Scrap Metal that your items can be picked up.
- Gather everything in one convenient spot.
- Do the magnet test and sort into piles.
- Put small parts in buckets or boxes.
- Keep gas bottles, batteries and fluids upright and separate, and ask first.
- If it’s safe, remove rubbish and large non-metal parts.
- Keep the road, gate and collection point clear.
- Keep pets secure and children away.
- Keep your phone and photo ID close.
- Clearly explain what is and isn’t going.
Why Preparation Pays Off
An organised pickup is quicker, safer and less stressful for everyone. Once your metal is sorted and easy to reach, the team can load it in no time and you get your space back sooner. If you asked the right questions beforehand, there are no surprises about what can or can’t be taken. Preparation is good for the planet too. Recycling keeps valuable material in use, and properly sorted metal is easier to recycle, so less of it ends up in landfill. A little effort from you can turn an old pile of junk into something useful again.
Ready When You Are
You now have the full list, from the first walk around your property to the truck leaving. Broken into small steps, the process is straightforward, and you don’t need any special skills or equipment. When you’re ready to get rid of your scrap, contact H&Z Scrap Metal, tell them what you have, and request a free pickup. Print this cheat sheet, tick off each item, and enjoy the extra space when you’re done.