Metal Recycling in Pflugerville, TX

If you are hauling scrap metal in San Marcos or anywhere in Hays County, we buy it. Drop off at our Austin facility or schedule a pickup, and we offer container service for commercial accounts with ongoing scrap volume.

Metal Recycling in San Marcos, TX: Drop-Off and Pickup Options

San Marcos and the broader Hays County area produce consistent scrap metal volume across construction, manufacturing, trades and property management. Our Austin facility sits approximately 20 minutes north of San Marcos via I-35. If you are anywhere along that corridor, getting to us or scheduling a pickup is easy. See the full picture at our recycling services page.

How you work with us depends on how much scrap you have and how often you generate it. If you are a homeowner, contractor or handling a property cleanout, you can load up and drop off on your schedule. If you are running a fabrication shop, auto operation or utility with ongoing scrap, scheduled pickup or a container program is the better fit.

What Is the Difference Between Drop-Off and Scheduled Pickup Service?

Why Pick Gardner Metal Recycling for Metal Recycling in San Marcos, TX?

Here is what you get when you work with us.

• Family-owned and operated for over 50 years, based in Austin and serving San Marcos and Hays County
• Transparent, market-based pricing with on-the-spot quotes from an experienced sales team
• Staff assistance with unloading and sorting so you are in and out quickly
• Commercial-grade pickup and container programs for high-volume and ongoing accounts
• Roll-off containers in multiple sizes with 48-hour pickup availability
• Regulatory expertise covering FAA, TCEQ and RCRA compliance requirements
• Demolition and clearing support with scrap crediting for contractors and project managers

How Long Has Gardner Metal Recycling Served Central Texas?

Gardner Metal Recycling has served Central Texas as a family-owned business for over 50 years. That means deep familiarity with the industries, regulations and materials that define this market. For San Marcos customers, it means consistent service standards and established processes built up across decades in this region. That presence extends across San Marcos, Kyle, Buda, New Braunfels and the broader Hays County area. Every one of those communities connects to our Austin facility via I-35.

What Scrap Metals We Buy From San Marcos Residents and Businesses

We buy ferrous and non-ferrous metals from residents, contractors and fabrication shops across San Marcos and Hays County. If you are working on a construction or remodel project, replacing HVAC equipment or clearing out a property near Texas State, you are likely sitting on recoverable metal. Any of those projects will likely leave you with material worth bringing in.

• Copper (bare bright, #1 copper, #2 copper)
• Insulated copper wire and cable (value varies by grade)
• Copper tubing and pipe
• Aluminum (sheet, extrusions, cast, clips)
• Brass (yellow brass, red brass, brass radiators)
• Stainless steel (304 and other grades)
• Iron and steel (ferrous prepared and unprepared grades)
• Tin and shred
• Cat 5 and Cat 6 cable
• Electronics and e-scrap (call to confirm accepted items)
• Electric motors
• Machine turnings and metal shavings
• Carbide
• High-temperature and exotic alloys

If you are not sure whether we take a specific item, call us or check what we buy before you drive out.

What Metals Are Worth the Most at a Scrap Yard?

Copper is the highest-value common scrap metal, consistently returning more per pound than other materials most customers bring in. Brass, aluminum and stainless steel are strong non-ferrous options that also return meaningfully more per pound than ferrous metals like iron and steel. Rates change daily, so call us at 512-292-1022 for current per-pound pricing on your specific materials.

How Much Is Copper Wire Worth at a Scrap Yard?

Copper wire value depends on grade and how much copper the insulation contains. Bare bright copper returns the highest per-pound value. It carries no insulation, so the full weight is recoverable copper. The three primary grades are bare bright, #1 insulated and #2 insulated. Bare bright is uninsulated clean copper. #1 insulated has thicker insulation and higher copper content per pound. #2 insulated runs thinner strands with lower copper content per pound. Rates change daily. Call us at 512-292-1022 for current copper wire pricing by grade.

Do Scrap Yards Take Appliances and Electronics?

Appliances and many electronics contain recyclable metals: copper, aluminum and steel. What we accept varies by material type. Call ahead to confirm before you make the trip, or check what we buy for guidance. What you recover from appliances and electronics depends on the metals inside, their grade and how well you have prepared the load.

Scrap Metal Prices in San Marcos: What Affects Value and How Quotes Work

We cannot guarantee a fixed rate, and you should be cautious of anyone who claims they can. When you call for a quote, you will get a market-based figure tied to what commodities are doing that day. We quote you a price. That is what you get paid. If this is your first time selling scrap, start with the pricing drivers list below before you call.

• Metal type: non-ferrous metals (copper, aluminum, brass, stainless steel) return higher per-pound value than ferrous metals (iron, steel, tin)
• Grade and cleanliness: we grade clean, sorted material higher than mixed or contaminated loads
• Quantity: larger volumes of a single grade typically return stronger per-pound pricing
• Preparation: removing non-metal attachments such as insulation, plastic and rubber before drop-off increases recovered value
• Contamination: if you mix grades or bring in dirty loads, we grade them down. Keeping grades separate protects what you get paid.
• Current market conditions: commodity prices fluctuate daily. Call us at 512-292-1022 for a current quote.

What Is the Difference Between Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals?

Ferrous metals are iron-based and magnetic. Common examples are iron, steel and tin, and they generally return lower per-pound value at scrap yards. Non-ferrous metals are non-magnetic. Copper, aluminum, brass and stainless steel all fall into this category and return higher per-pound value. Knowing what category your material falls into tells you what to expect when you call. Our team can assess grades when you arrive or give you a read over the phone before you make the trip.

What Can I Do To Maximize the Value of My Scrap Metal?

These prep steps come from Recycled Materials Association best practices. They directly affect what you get paid.

• Sort your metals by type. Keep ferrous and non-ferrous separate, and separate grades within each category where possible.
• Remove non-metal attachments. Strip insulation from wire, remove plastic fittings and separate rubber components before drop-off.
• Drain fluids from HVAC units, motors or any equipment that held liquid before bringing it in.
• Keep grades separate. Bare bright copper, #1 copper and #2 copper must not be mixed if you want the highest return on each grade.
• Give us an approximate weight or volume and we can quote you over the phone before you make the trip.

Full-Service Scrap Solutions for San Marcos: Pickup, Containers, Demolition and Ongoing Programs

For many San Marcos operations, a single drop-off visit does not cover what you actually need. We offer pickup, container and ongoing account programs built around how commercial operations actually generate scrap.

• Scrap metal pickup: one-time or scheduled service for contractors and commercial accounts in San Marcos and Hays County
• On-site container programs: roll-off containers in 20, 30 and 40 cubic yard sizes for ongoing collection
• Demolition and clearing: we collect scrap from your jobsite and credit the recovered value back against your project cost
• Industrial processing: high-volume material handling for manufacturing, fabrication and utility operations
• Ongoing commercial programs: tailored pickup schedules and container arrangements for ongoing scrap volume

Do You Offer Scrap Metal Pickup or Roll-Off Containers in San Marcos?

Yes. We offer one-time pickup, scheduled recurring pickup and container delivery if you are in San Marcos or anywhere in the Hays County area. If you are a contractor wrapping up a project or a property manager handling a cleanout, one-time pickup gets the job done. If you are running a commercial account or fabrication shop with ongoing scrap, scheduled pickup or a container program is the right fit. Roll-off containers are available in 20, 30 and 40 cubic yard sizes with 48-hour pickup availability for full containers. Learn more about our pickup service or our container rental options.

Can Gardner Metal Recycling Handle Demolition or Jobsite Scrap in San Marcos?

Yes. We collect scrap metal from demolition and clearing jobs in the San Marcos area and credit the recovered value back against the cost of the project, reducing your out-of-pocket on the overall job. General contractors, property owners and facility managers handling teardowns or cleanouts use this program to recover value from scrap they would otherwise pay to remove. Get full details on our demolition and clearing program.

How Does the Scrap Metal Pickup and Drop-Off Process Work?

• Call us at 512-292-1022 or use the online contact form to describe your materials, estimated quantity and whether you need drop-off directions, pickup scheduling or a container.
• If you are dropping off, arrive at the Austin facility during business hours. If you are scheduling a pickup or container delivery, confirm your window with our team.
• Unload your materials with staff assistance. Our team helps you sort and organize to confirm accurate grading.
• We weigh your materials on calibrated scales and grade them by type and cleanliness to determine market-based value.
• You get your quote and, if you accept, payment on the spot. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. You will also need to share basic seller and vehicle details. Texas law requires this for regulated material transactions under Occupations Code Chapter 1956.
• You get a receipt and transaction record to keep on file. If you are running a commercial account or managing a recurring scrap program, keep this receipt in your records.

Full detail on the pickup process is at our how scrap metal pickup works page.

Do I Need an ID To Sell Scrap Metal in Texas?

Yes. Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1956 governs metal recycling entity transactions in the state and requires seller identification and transaction records for regulated materials. The Texas DPS Texas Metals Program oversees compliance statewide. When you come in, bring a valid government-issued photo ID and be prepared to share basic seller and vehicle details when required.

Metal Recycling San Marcos, TX: Contact Gardner Metal Recycling for Current Pricing and Pickup Scheduling

Call us or use the contact form below.

What To Have Ready When You Call:

• Metal type (copper, aluminum, steel, wire, mixed. Be as specific as possible.)
• Estimated quantity (approximate weight or volume)
• Pickup location and site access details in San Marcos (if requesting pickup or a container)
• Photos of your materials (optional but helpful for large or unusual loads)
• Your valid ID (required for regulated material transactions under Texas law)

Our Contact Information:

• Business: Gardner Metal Recycling
• Phone: 512-292-1022
• Address: 9701 U.S. Hwy 290 East Service Road, Austin, TX 78724
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Service area: San Marcos, Kyle, Buda, New Braunfels and the Hays County area
• Contact online: Contact Gardner Metal Recycling

Partner with Gardner Metal Recycling to turn your scrap metal into a valuable asset. Schedule a consultation online or call us at 512-982-0447.

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