If you’ve ever looked around the house and wondered whether that pile of “junk” has any value, the answer is very often yes. There’s a surprising amount of metal quietly hiding in sheds, lofts and garages across Northern Ireland. Turning it into something useful again is what we do every day at McKinstry Metal Recycling in Mallusk.
As part of the McKinstry Group, we operate a fully licensed facility handling both ferrous and non‑ferrous metals for customers right across the province. Whether you’re a householder clearing out, a tradesperson with offcuts, or a business with regular arisings, our job is to make metal recycling in Belfast easy, safe and straightforward.
Why Bother?
- Protects the environment metal recycling saves raw materials and energy, cutting carbon and keeping waste out of landfill.
- Supports a circular economy metals can be used again and again with no loss in quality.
- May put money back in your pocket especially for non‑ferrous items like copper and brass.
If you can’t get to us, don’t worry. We provide convenient collections across Northern Ireland for larger quantities.
Ferrous or Non‑Ferrous? A Quick Way to Tell
A simple magnet test is your best friend:
- Ferrous (iron/steel) – magnetic. Think cast‑iron radiators, steel racking , appliances.
- Non‑ferrous (copper, aluminium, brass, stainless) not magnetic. copper pipe, alloy wheels, aluminium ladders, brass taps.
Non‑ferrous metals are generally more valuable.
Preparing Items for Drop‑Off (or Collection)
You don’t need to go to great lengths. A few simple steps make the process smoother:
- Keep metals loosely sorted into “magnetic” and “not magnetic”.
If you can’t transport items yourself, our team can collect across Northern Ireland. Just call and we’ll arrange a time that suits you.
What About Whole Vehicles?
When a car truly reaches the end of the road, it’s important to do things the right way. As an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF), we depollute vehicles, removing fluids, oils and batteries and we aim to meet the legislative recycling target of up to 95% material recovery.
If you’re googling “scrap my car in NI”, choose a licensed operator who will issue the proper paperwork. At McKinstry, we notify DVLA and provide a Certificate of Destruction (CoD) so you have peace of mind that the vehicle is off the road and ownership has been formally ended. We also offer a free scrap car collection service and an easy online portal where you can get a live price using just your reg and collection postcode.
How McKinstry Makes Metal Recycling Easy
We’re a family‑run, customer‑focused team based at 50 Trench Road, Mallusk, Newtownabbey. Here’s what that means for you:
- Straightforward service; arrive, weigh, unload, done. Our friendly yard team are on hand to help.
- Licensed and compliant; as a treatment facility, we handle depollution and hazardous components correctly.
- All metal types accepted; ferrous and non‑ferrous, from single items to full loads.
- Collection available; ideal for bulky or heavy items; we cover all of Northern Ireland and can reach into the south when needed.
- Clear guidance; not sure if we can take something? Ask. We’ll give you a practical answer and a safe alternative if needed.
When people search for scrap metal Belfast or scrap yard Belfast, they’re usually looking for a site that’s easy to deal with, transparent and reliable. That’s exactly what we aim to provide every day.
Safety First: What Not to Do
We want recycling to be simple and safe. Please don’t:
- Cut open sealed tanks, pressure vessels or gas cylinders.
- Burn off insulation or coatings – it’s dangerous and illegal.
- Store old batteries where they can tip or spill.
- Dismantle items you’re not comfortable with – especially anything electrical. Let us handle it.
If you’re unsure, call the yard. We’ll talk you through the best approach or book a collection.
Why it Matters (and Why we Love Doing It)
It keeps materials in use, reduces the need for mining, and supports skilled jobs here in Northern Ireland. At McKinstry, we take pride in doing the job properly, from welcoming you at the gate to issuing the right paperwork and in helping our community tidy up, responsibly.
Ready to Clear Out Those “might be useful one day” Piles?
Whether it’s a car that’s beyond saving, a garage full of offcuts, or a single broken appliance, we’ll help you move it on the right way.
- Drop into our Mallusk site for metal recycling Belfast services.
- Call us to book a collection anywhere in NI for householders, trades and businesses.
- Thinking “scrap my car NI”? Use our easy portal for a live price, just your reg and collection postcode and we’ll handle the rest, including DVLA notification and your Certificate of Destruction.
No fuss. No nonsense. Just straightforward recycling that turns clutter into a cleaner, greener future for Northern Ireland.