Anyone run a can recycling center

[TexasArtist]

My dad has started to think about opening on here on the property. There isn't one for about 60 miles around. He's curious how does someone go about starting and what is needed.
Basically we'd take in people cans then once a month or so truck the cans down into san antonio to the main recycle place.

[ihedrick]

I've been to alot of different ones; but don't own or run one. But you would need some scales that you could set a trash can upon. Get the weight of the can and paint it on the can. Do that with each can you have. When your customer dumps their cans into your trash can you wiegh the whole lot then subtract the weight of the can which is painted on the can itself. you willl also have to look into your state/county to see if the scales need to be validated or tested. you'll also want some sort of big magnet to run over the cans to check for nonaluminum...not that anyone would try to cheat you! I also think some type of receipt with a signed statement from the customer stating that they are the legal owner of the aluminum. So that covers your backside if you happen to buy stolen cans. Lastly, talk with the company you intend to sell your cans to, and see what they recommend and also what requirements they would have of you if you were to bring in a huge amount of cans.

[Texasgirl]

I go to one that they made a type of container for the cans to be weighed out of chicken wire. They have that on the scale and you empty your cans into it.

They don't seem to have any problems picking up and emptying it into the shoot to crush the cans.
They have a tractor trailer that the cans get shot into from the crusher.

[Big Dave]

Watch for water in the cans. Also cans that are not aluminum