Scrap metal polishes its image: Aluminum, copper prove pricey items

A gift of platinum, gold or silver could brighten anyone’s day.

But a garage or basement full of aluminum cans or copper pipes could bolster their bank account.

Downstate recycling centers will pay cash for aluminum, copper, steel and several other types of metal.

Mary Cannon, owner of Cannon Metal and Iron Inc. in Hartly, said with gas prices so high, people are selling pieces of scrap metal more today then ever before.

“I can’t tell you how many people will pull up in a BMW or some other fancy car,” Mrs. Cannon said.

“And then they sell us bags of aluminum cans for gas money.”

Mrs. Cannon said the scrap metal business is a unique industry.

“To understand it, you would have to work here,” she said.

The value of the different types of metal changes every day.

“Right now, copper is the most valuable because of the demand for it by China,” Mrs. Cannon said.

“A lot of metals are exported. The higher the demand, the higher the value.”

Michelle DeHaven, assistant manager at Terrapin Recycling Center in Dover, said they buy aluminum, copper, brass, stainless steel and light iron.

She said they separate the metals and send them to their Baltimore location.

From there the metals are processed and sold, mostly overseas.

“One hundred percent of cans that are recycled are made into new cans,” Mrs. DeHaven said. “Other metals are recycled to be made into new items.”

Many owners of stores or homes that are torn down bring in the piping, especially if it is copper, to be recycled.

Mrs. DeHaven said the people who tore down the former ice plant on North Street in Dover brought her the metal from the frames and the pipes to be recycled.

Mrs. Cannon said recycling scrap metal helps clean up the environment.

“People sell us metal they find in lakes, rivers, trails and woods,” she said.

Sometimes people will be so desperate that they will steal scrap metal and sell it.

That might have been the case recently at Mrs. Cannon’s shop.

“We recently suffered a tragic fire because of someone who was trying to steal from us, and luckily that thief is now in jail where he belongs,” Mrs. Cannon said.

“It was thanks to the Hartly Fire Co., and especially (Delaware State Police trooper) Lee Weller who put his life on the line to help us. Without him, all our records would be lost.”

State police spokesman Cpl. Jeffry Oldham said the fire occurred the night of April 25.

He said Trooper Weller reported to the scene, and the cause of the fire was ruled as arson.

Marcus Hotaling, 29, of Hartly, was charged with burglary and arson in connection with the incident and is awaiting trial, Cpl. Oldham said.

He said there have been reports of scrap metal theft in the past, but it is not a big problem in the state.

Mrs. Cannon said her company is on the lookout for stolen goods that people try to sell to them.

A Little League field or a construction site might also be considered a jackpot by a thief because of the benches and copper wires.

“When someone brings us scrap metal, we have to buy it on good faith,” Mrs. Cannon said.

“Yes, we have received stolen things, and yes we do call the police.”

Mrs. Cannon said anyone who wants to sell scrap metal has to provide valid identification.

“By asking for ID, it helps to filter out the thieves,” she said.

“The police from Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania notify us when something was stolen that might be sold as scrap metal. Then we are able to be on the lookout for it.”

Mrs. Cannon said even if she is sure something is stolen, she never accuses the person.

“We can’t ask the person if it was stolen because that would go against their constitutiona