You've probably driven past it a hundred times if you’re heading toward the State Fairgrounds or cutting through the Midway. That massive sprawl of steel and machinery off Highway 280. It’s gritty. It’s loud. Metro Metals St. Paul Minnesota is one of those places that feels like a relic of old-school industry, but honestly, it’s one of the most sophisticated gears in the Twin Cities' economic engine.
Most people think a scrap yard is just a pile of junk. They see rusted car frames and think "landfill." That’s the first thing everyone gets wrong. It’s not a graveyard; it’s a processing plant. In 2026, with global supply chains still feeling like a roller coaster, the "urban mining" happening on Doswell Avenue is more valuable than ever.
The EMR Shift: Who Actually Runs the Show?
If you haven’t been there in a few years, the biggest change isn't the metal—it's the name on the check. Metro Metals is now part of the EMR (European Metal Recycling) family. This isn't just corporate trivia. It changed the scale.
Before the acquisition, Metro was a local powerhouse. Now, they’re backed by a global network that handles about 10 million tonnes of metal a year. You’ll still see the familiar faces, but the back-end logistics have gone high-tech. They aren't just selling to a local foundry anymore; your old Ford Taurus might end up being repurposed into structural steel for a project in South Korea or a car plant in Germany.
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Why the Doswell Avenue Location is a Logistics Nightmare (and a Dream)
Getting to Metro Metals St. Paul Minnesota requires a bit of a strategy.
Located at 2576 Doswell Ave, the facility sits right in that industrial pocket where St. Paul and Minneapolis basically blur together. If you’re coming north on 280, you hit the Como Ave exit. It's tight. If you’re hauling a trailer full of copper or a junked SUV, those turns feel smaller than they look on Google Maps.
- Gate 1: This is where the heavy hitters go. Ferrous metals, large loads, and scrap autos. If it’s big and magnetic, this is your entrance.
- Gate 2: Reserved for non-ferrous. Think aluminum cans, copper piping, brass fixtures.
One thing they do better than almost anyone else? The "clean lanes" policy. There is nothing worse than getting a flat tire at a scrap yard. It's the ultimate irony. They keep the driving paths remarkably clear of debris, which is a huge deal for contractors who can't afford a $400 tire repair just to make $200 on a scrap load.
The Real Money: What They Actually Buy
Let’s be real. You aren’t going there for the scenery. You’re going for the cash.
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The prices fluctuate daily based on the London Metal Exchange. Honestly, if you aren't checking the spot price for copper before you load the truck, you're leaving money on the table. As of early 2026, #1 Copper is still the king of the yard, but the rise in electric vehicle (EV) components has created a whole new market for specialized scrap.
Common Items They Take:
- Junk Cars: They pay cash on the spot. No middleman. If you sell to a tow company, they’re just taking a cut before they bring it here anyway.
- Appliances: Fridges and freezers are fine, but there are strict rules about freon. Don't just show up with a cut line and expect a warm welcome.
- Construction Scrap: Rebar, beams, and siding.
- Household Non-Ferrous: Brass doorknobs, aluminum gutters, and those old copper pipes from your basement remodel.
What They Won't Touch:
Don't bother bringing ammunition shells or explosive materials. They won't take them. They also have a "no" list for certain sealed containers and hazardous waste. It’s about safety, not just being difficult.
The "Hidden" Perks Most People Miss
Most scrap yards give you a ticket and point you toward a window. Metro Metals has always tried to be a bit more "customer-centric," which sounds like corporate fluff, but they actually back it up.
Have you heard about the gas? Seriously. For a long time, they offered five gallons of free gas per recycled vehicle. They even have a "Preferred Gasoline Membership" program. In a world where gas prices are basically a second mortgage, that’s a legitimate incentive. They’ve even been known to do customer appreciation days with free lunches or chair massages. Imagine getting a massage at a scrap yard. It’s weird, but it works.
Navigating the "Copper Law"
Minnesota doesn't make it easy to sell copper anymore. You can’t just walk in with a bag of wire and walk out with a stack of bills without a paper trail.
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The state requires a license for certain copper products to curb theft. If you’re a legitimate contractor, you know the drill. If you’re a homeowner, bring your ID. Specifically, you need a government-issued document with your photo, signature, and birth date. No ID, no payout. Period.
The 2026 Outlook for Twin Cities Scrap
The industry is leaning hard into automation. At the St. Paul site, you’ll notice more advanced sorting technology than you would have five years ago. Sensors and AI-driven sorters are now identifying alloys in seconds. This means you get a more accurate price for what you’re actually bringing in, rather than a "best guess" based on weight.
Sustainability isn't just a buzzword here; it’s the business model. The "circular economy" is a fancy way of saying "don't throw stuff away," and Metro Metals is the physical manifestation of that. By the time a piece of steel leaves their yard, it’s been sorted, sheared, and prepped to become something entirely new without the massive carbon footprint of mining virgin ore.
Pro Tips for Your First Visit
- Sort before you go. If you mix your aluminum with your steel, you're going to get the steel price (the lower one). It’s worth the 20 minutes in your garage to separate them.
- Watch the scales. Metro uses state-certified scales. You drive on, they weigh you, you dump, you weigh again. The difference is your payout.
- Check the hours. They typically run 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM on weekdays. If you show up at 4:25 PM with a trailer full of tangled wire, you aren't going to be the most popular person there.
- Ask about volume pricing. If you’re a business owner or doing a massive demolition, call ahead. Ask for a quote on "prepared" vs "unprepared" steel. The difference in price per ton can be significant if you’re willing to do a little prep work with a torch or shears.
Actionable Next Steps
If you have a garage full of old "junk" or a car that’s seen better days, don't let it sit and rust. The value of scrap is high right now, especially for copper and aluminum.
First, take a magnet to your pile. If it sticks, it’s ferrous (lower value). If it doesn't, it’s non-ferrous (higher value). Separate these into different bins.
Second, grab your title for any vehicle you plan to scrap. You cannot sell a car without the paperwork.
Third, call their direct line at 651-641-0977. Ask for the current "bare bright" copper price or the "prepared steel" rate. Prices change by the hour sometimes, so a quick call ensures you’re getting the best deal before you make the drive to Doswell Avenue.