We serve Elgin, TX, and the surrounding Bastrop County area with full-service scrap metal recycling. Our facility sits directly on US-290, about 20 to 25 minutes west of Elgin with no highway changes required. We buy ferrous and nonferrous metals from homeowners, contractors and businesses, and we offer both drop-off recycling and free pickup for qualifying loads. Family-owned for over 60 years, we provide competitive daily pricing and a clean, professionally run yard. Call 512-292-1022 to get a quote or schedule service.

Scrap Metal Recycling Services for Elgin, TX Residents and Businesses

Elgin is growing fast. New construction, renovation work and commercial activity are picking up across Bastrop County, and that means more scrap metal being generated by more people and more businesses. We serve Elgin homeowners, contractors and industrial operations through drop-off at our US-290 facility and scheduled pickup for qualifying loads.

Drop-Off Recycling for Elgin Customers

Load up your truck or trailer, drive west on US-290, and our team handles the rest when you arrive. We weigh your material, help you unload and sort it and pay you on the spot. If you'd rather not haul the material yourself, we also offer pickup service for larger loads.

Scrap Metal Pickup Service in Elgin

We provide scheduled scrap metal pickup in Elgin for loads that meet our weight minimums. If you're a contractor clearing a jobsite or a business sitting on a large volume of metal, we come to you, load the material and handle the hauling. Qualifying pickups are free.

Why Gardner's US-290 Location Is Convenient for Elgin

Our facility sits directly on the same highway that runs through downtown Elgin. You drive west on US-290, and about 20 to 25 minutes later, you're at our gate. One road, no interchanges, no backtracking. That saves real time when you're hauling a loaded trailer or squeezing a scrap run into a packed schedule.

Service for Homeowners, Contractors and Businesses

We work with a wide range of Elgin sellers. Homeowners bring us copper pipe, old appliances and metal from renovation projects. Contractors and builders haul in rebar, steel beams, wire and jobsite scrap from the new construction going up across Elgin and Bastrop County. Farms and ranches bring us old equipment, fencing and structural metal. And local businesses set up recurring accounts to recycle scrap from their operations on a regular schedule.

Why Trust Gardner Metal Recycling for Your Elgin Scrap Metal Needs

The question behind every scrap metal transaction is whether the facility you choose pays fair prices, operates legally, treats you well and can handle whatever you bring in. Here's why you should choose Gardner Metal Recycling:

Family-Owned Experience and Local Reputation

Gardner Metal Recycling has been in the family for more than 60 years. Our owner, Andy Johnson, still runs things with the same hands-on approach we've had from day one. That kind of continuity means you're working with people who've built real relationships across Central Texas. For you as an Elgin seller, it means consistent pricing, familiar faces and a team that knows the materials and the market.

Clean Facility, Helpful Staff and Transparent Pricing

Our yard is clean, organized and professionally maintained. Our employees help you unload and sort your material, so you don't have to figure out categories on your own. We quote you based on competitive daily pricing before you commit.

Registered and Compliant Texas Metal Recycler

We're registered with the Texas Department of Public Safety as a Metal Recycling Entity under Chapter 1956 of the Texas Occupations Code and meet all TCEQ standards. For you as a seller, that means every transaction is documented properly and both sides are protected.

Why Gardner Stands Out From Elgin-Area Competitors

If you've looked at other recycling options near Elgin, you've probably noticed most operate on a smaller scale with limited service range. Broader Austin-area recyclers may list Elgin in their coverage area, but they don't always offer the same level of local pickup availability or Elgin-specific service support. And junk-removal companies in the area charge you a fee to haul material away. We buy your scrap, pay you competitive rates and support everything from one-time drop-offs to recurring commercial accounts with container service and scheduled pickup.

Scrap Metals We Buy From Elgin Sellers

We buy both ferrous and nonferrous metals we buy from Elgin homeowners, contractors and businesses. If you're not sure what you have or whether we accept it, call us at 512-292-1022 and we'll help you figure it out.

Metal Category	Examples	Common Elgin Sources	Notes on Value/Identification
Copper	Bare bright wire, insulated wire, copper pipe, copper fittings, copper tubing	Plumbing renovations, electrical work, HVAC replacements	Clean bare bright wire pays best of any common nonferrous metal.
Brass	Valves, fittings, fixtures, shell casings, plumbing hardware	Plumbing upgrades, fixture replacements, shooting ranges	Yellow-toned copper-zinc alloy; heavier than it looks and holds strong value.
Aluminum	Sheet aluminum, extrusions, siding, gutters, window frames, cast aluminum	Residential construction, roofing, siding contractors, auto parts	Lightweight and nonmagnetic; clean sorted loads pay more than mixed.
Stainless Steel	Sinks, kitchen equipment, brewing tanks, medical equipment, fittings	Restaurant renovations, healthcare upgrades, food processing	Nonmagnetic in most grades; heavier than aluminum, lighter than carbon steel.
High-Temp Alloys/Carbide	Inconel, titanium, carbide inserts, turbine blades	Aerospace manufacturing, precision machining, industrial tooling	High value; call ahead or bring samples if you're unsure of the alloy.
Electronics/E-Scrap	Circuit boards, edge connectors, MLCC chips, plating scrap	Electronics manufacturers, IT disposal, data center cleanouts	Value depends on precious metal content (gold, silver, palladium).
Iron, Steel and Tin	Structural steel, rebar, sheet metal, machine turnings, pipe, angle iron	Construction demolition, equipment teardown, manufacturing cleanouts	Lower per-pound value but common in high volume.
Appliances/Farm Equipment	Washers, dryers, water heaters, tractors, mowers, car bodies, engine blocks	Residential cleanouts, ranch operations, auto shops	Large items welcome; remove fluids and non-metal attachments when possible.

Nonferrous Metals We Buy

Nonferrous metals are the ones a magnet won't stick to, and they typically bring higher per-pound prices than ferrous materials. Copper recycling tends to carry the most value, especially when the material is clean and sorted. If you have insulated wire, stripping the coating before you bring it in can improve your return.

Ferrous Metals We Buy

Ferrous metals contain iron, and they make up the bulk of what most Elgin sellers bring in by weight. They're typically priced lower per pound than nonferrous metals, but the volume adds up fast, especially on construction and demolition jobs.

Construction, Farm and Renovation Scrap Common in Elgin

Elgin is adding housing developments, school projects and commercial buildings at a steady pace, and every one of those projects generates metal scrap. The farms and ranches surrounding Elgin are another consistent source, with old equipment, fencing and structural metal that's been sitting around for years. We buy all of it.

How to Tell the Difference Between Ferrous and Nonferrous Metals

The simplest test is a magnet. If it sticks, the metal is ferrous (iron, steel, tin). If it doesn't, the metal is nonferrous (copper, brass, aluminum, stainless steel). Sorting your load before you come in helps speed up processing. Mixed loads take longer and may be priced at the lower-value category.

How Scrap Metal Recycling Works: Drop-Off and Pickup for Elgin

You have two ways to recycle scrap metal with us: haul it to our facility yourself, or have us pick it up from your Elgin location through our scrap metal pickup service if the load meets our weight minimums.

How the Drop-Off Process Works

If you're bringing scrap metal in from Elgin, here's what to expect:

Gather and sort your scrap metal. Separating ferrous from nonferrous and removing non-metal attachments helps you get a better price.
Call 512-292-1022 for current pricing or to ask questions about your material.
Drive west on US-290 to our facility at 9701 US Hwy 290 East Service Road, Austin, TX 78724.
Pull onto the scale, and our team will help you unload and sort your material.
Complete the transaction and get paid on the spot.

If you have more scrap than you can reasonably haul, pickup may be the better option.

How Pickup Service Works for Qualifying Loads

If your load meets our weight minimums, we'll come to your Elgin location through our scrap metal pickup service and handle everything:

Contact us about your load, including the material type and estimated quantity.
Confirm details with our team and set up the service.
Receive a container at your site if needed, or prepare the load for direct pickup.
Call us when the load is ready, and we'll schedule the haul.

Weight Minimums for Free Pickup

We offer free pickup for loads of 2,000 pounds or more of nonferrous metal or 6,000 pounds or more of ferrous metal. If you're below those thresholds, dropping off at our facility is faster and more cost-effective.

Texas law requires a valid state-issued ID, age 18 or older and recorded vehicle information for every scrap metal transaction. Full details on those requirements are covered in the compliance section below.

Additional Gardner Metal Recycling Services for Elgin Customers

We offer a range of services for Elgin customers with needs that go beyond a single drop-off or pickup.

Commercial Scrap Yard Services

Your Elgin business generates scrap metal on a regular basis, and a commercial account with us gives you structured pickups, sorting guidance, material audits and transparent reporting. You always know what you're selling and what you're earning.

Demolition Clean-Up Services

When buildings come down or sites get cleared for redevelopment in Elgin, we handle the demolition clean-up services that keep your project on schedule. We sort, haul and process any metal worth recycling so you get paid for the material.

Industrial Scrap Processing

If your Elgin operation is generating scrap from manufacturing or industrial work, we handle it. Machine turnings, off-spec parts, production line leftovers and equipment teardown material all fall within our processing capabilities, and we're set up for the volume and complexity that industrial accounts produce.

Container and Dumpster Rental

We deliver 20-to-40-cubic-yard containers directly to your Elgin jobsite or facility through our metal recycling container rental program. You fill them at your own pace, and we swap or haul them when they're ready. Contractors managing long-term projects and manufacturers with steady output use this service most often.

Electronics Recycling

We accept circuit boards, edge connectors, plating scrap and other e-waste with recoverable precious metal content. If your Elgin business generates electronics scrap from manufacturing, IT disposal or equipment upgrades, we process it with the sorting care and documentation the work requires.

What Elgin Sellers Need to Know Before Recycling Scrap Metal in Texas

Before you visit or schedule a pickup, there are a few Texas rules you'll need to follow.

Texas ID and Age Requirements

You must be at least 18 years old and present a valid state-issued ID to sell scrap metal in Texas. Your vehicle make, model, color and license plate number are also recorded at the time of sale under Chapter 1956 of the Texas Occupations Code. We follow these rules on every transaction.

Regulated Metals and the 72-Hour Hold Rule

Certain categories of metal are classified as regulated under Texas law, and transactions involving those materials are subject to a 72-hour hold period before processing. That hold gives law enforcement time to investigate potential theft, so we may not be able to pay you for those items immediately. Our team will let you know upfront if any part of your load falls under the hold requirement.

Special Rules for HVAC Materials and Kegs

HVAC components (like coils and condensing units) and beer kegs carry additional restrictions in Texas. If you're selling these items, you'll need proof of ownership or an authorization letter from the original owner.

Tips to Prepare Scrap Metal Before You Visit

A little preparation before your trip makes the process faster and can improve your payout:

Sort ferrous and nonferrous materials into separate groups
Remove non-metal attachments like wood, plastic, rubber and fabric when possible
Separate higher-value items like clean copper wire or bare bright from mixed loads
Bring ownership or project documentation if you're selling regulated or high-volume items

These steps help our team process your load faster and give you a clearer picture of what each material category pays.

Scrap Metal Recycling vs. Municipal Recycling in Elgin

Your Elgin curbside recycling handles paper, cardboard and plastics. It doesn't accept scrap metal for cash. If you have metal you want to sell, you need a dedicated scrap metal recycling facility. We're also different from junk-removal services, which charge you a fee to haul material away. We buy your metal and pay you for it.

Turn Your Elgin Scrap Metal Into Cash: Contact Gardner Metal Recycling Today

You've got scrap metal, and you deserve competitive daily pricing, employee-assisted unloading, free pickup for qualifying loads and a team that knows this business inside and out. That's what we deliver at every transaction.

Call 512-292-1022 for pricing or to talk through your material. You can also request a price quote online, schedule a free consultation to design a recycling program for your business or set up a pickup for your next qualifying load.

Our facility is located at 9701 US Hwy 290 East Service Road, Austin, TX 78724. We're open Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM and Saturday from 7:00 AM to 11:30 AM. From Elgin, drive west on US-290. The drive is about 20 to 25 minutes.

Partner with Gardner Metal Recycling to turn your scrap metal into a valuable asset. Schedule a consultation online or call us at 512-292-1022.

Scrap Metal Recycling in Elgin, TX

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