Storing your scrap metal allows you to save it until prices are as high as possible, and it also helps you save up bulk quantities -- some scrap metal recyclers pay higher rates to people with large quantities of metal. Setting up a scrap metal storage area isn't that difficult. Here's what you need to consider:

1. Weather Resistance

Storing metal outside for a while isn't going to hurt it. However, if you know that you want to store your scrap metal interminably, it may be better to have a weather-resistant storage area that protects your metal from water damage and rust in particular. It also lends your scrap a bit of safety.

2. Security

If you don't want people stealing your scrap metal, you need to think about security, and this element varies for everybody. For example, if you live on a fairly deserted street, full of holiday homes that aren't occupied year round, it's easy to tell if anyone unusual is in your neighbourhood.

In this case, you may not need any more security than asking the local law enforcement official to drive by your house occasionally. In other cases, you should consider strong deadbolts on the door of the garage or shed you use for storage as well as motion detector lights and even a security system.

3. Organisation

As you wait for various scrap metals to rise in price so you can sell them, you have to think of a way to keep your metals sorted and organised. It works well to have a pile of stuff to be sorted as well as small containers to keep sorted objects in. Wooden bins, utility buckets, plastic totes, utility shelves and trash cans work well for organising small items such as shred, computer scrap, brass, aluminium, stainless steel, insulated wire and other types of scrap metal.

If you don't want to invest in containers, consider using old scrap you pick up as your containers. For example, you could use the shell of an old dryer, washer or refrigerator as your container. You could also use old cars for storing some scrap metal, and if you don't have a shed, that keeps it out of the elements as well.

4. Extras

In addition to dealing with the issues above, it's also important to create a work space. This storage space should have all the tools you use to take apart old TVs, strip wire and handle other parts of scrap recycling. If possible, it should also have a spot to put a laptop or small computer so you can track what you have, look for extra items and check on scrap metal recycling prices.