Hi there, what steps should i take to start a home-based pop can recycling service?

Answer 1

Hi. Depending on where you are located you would want to check to see what scrap yards are paying for the aluminum. If you are in a state that has a bottle deposit, you'll most likely have to apply for a vendor license. Most deposit states have all the money being collected being sent to the state and disbursed back to certified recyclers.
Once you have that part set up you'll need to decide how you are going to collect the stuff. Will you provide bags to locations (schools, churches, restaurants, etc.) that you will pick up? Will you have people drop them off to you?
The final step will be deciding if you are going to pay people for the cans they bring to you or that you collect. If you live in a deposit state, you'll run into some problems. Most likely, smaller places will already be doing this to collect the deposit. If you are selling it for scrap you'll need to decide what part of the scrap value you'll give back to everyone. Some people may not want anything, others will. Keep that in mind.
I hope this helps!