Scrap Metals

Startup Costs: $2,000 - $10,000
Franchises Available? No
Online Operation? Yes

There are a great number of options open to the creative entrepreneur who is considering starting a recycling business focusing on scrap metals. You can specialize and operate a scrap metal depot that sells various reclaimed metals to metal recycling companies. Or, specialize in one particular type of scrap metal collection and recycling. Owning a scrap metal recycling business is like having your company traded publicly the day it opens for business. Metals are commodities and the price fluctuates on a supply and demand basis, often based on forecasts for the supply and demand for certain types of metals a year or more in advance. Overall, this is a good choice for a recycling business start-up, and the investment can vary from a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Scrap Metals Ideas

Pizza Boxes

Provide pizza places with the essentials.

Demolition Service

Form your own construction crew for small-scale renovation with this smashing business idea.

Short-Run CD-Rom Production

Provide a service for clients that don't want to buy CDs in bulk.

More from Business Ideas

Side Hustle

They Started a Home-Based Side Hustle Earning Up to $20,000 a Month — and It's Still Growing: 'Will Never Get Old'

TALEA Beer Co. co-founders LeAnn Darland and Tara Hankinson wanted to replicate the experiential appeal of a winery with their own brewery.

Starting a Business

This Ex-CIA Officer's Near-Death Experience Inspired Her to Start a Business That's Earning Over 8 Figures a Year: 'I Have a Higher Risk Tolerance Than Most'

Emily Hikade, founder and CEO of luxury sleepwear and home company Petite Plume, had an unconventional path to entrepreneurship.

Growing a Business

At 24, She Was Fired From Her Advertising Job. Then an 'Incredibly Important' Mindset Helped Her Build a Multimillion-Dollar Business.

Melissa Ben-Ishay's brother Brian Bushell encouraged her to follow her passion — and it led to major success.