Mobile scrap metal collector

Scrap yards and metal recyclers buy from you. Some customers pay you for clearances, while others simply give you the metal for free.

You earn the gap between what the yard pays per kilo or tonne and what you paid, if anything. Many collectors also charge a small fee for awkward clearances.

• Knowing metals and what they are worth
• Lifting and sorting safely
• Keeping accurate records
• Friendly, trustworthy manner with customers

• Scrap metal dealers generally need a licence from the local council in England and Wales, check the rules for your area and for Scotland and Northern Ireland
• Cash payments for scrap metal are restricted, check how you must pay sellers and verify their ID
• Carrying other people's scrap or waste as a business is likely to need waste carrier registration or a permit, and the rules in England are being reformed, so check the current requirements with the Environment Agency before you start, or with SEPA, Natural Resources Wales or NIEA if you trade in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland
• Never take stolen or suspicious metal, and keep full records of what you buy and from whom
• Heavy lifting, sharp edges and fridges or gas items, which may need special handling

Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £7,500, depending on the van you use, your lifting and safety kit and any licences or registrations you need. Check what applies in your area before you start.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on how much metal you collect, what you can sell it for and how often you work. These are revenue estimates, not profit, and van and fuel costs come out of that.

Check whether you need a scrap metal dealer licence from your local council, which is generally required in England and Wales, and how rules differ in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Also check cash payment restrictions, ID checks on sellers and waste carrier registration requirements.