Wait wasn't to long (4 vehicles ahead of me) recycle rates are good! Easy location to find. Staff friendly no problems!

I recently recycled a lot of copper from a job that I just finished and when I went to American iron and metal I was told that my copper was a #2 at 2.50 a pound which is below the California price sagested value #2 is value 3-4 dollar a pound. when I argued that it was not a grade two it was a grade one or above he still paid me below grade to value(2.70lb) for my bright yellow bus bars (3.70-4.45lb) and was paid $700 less than what I should have received I would not recommend going to American iron and metal I would not recommend wasting your time there's other scrap yards close by that will pay you top dollar for your scrap meta read more

I noticed a difference in the payout when I last brought my recyclables there. When the guys were working there, it seemed fair but the last time I went there were a bunch of girls working it and they ripped me off! I usually wait till I have a certain amount to bring. I would get around $40+ every time. The last time I got $28! My friend brought 1 small 13 gallon bag and he got $18! What's wrong with that picture?! They're ripping people off. Don't bring it there. I wanna call one of those investigative services from the news to look into it. I'd love to see them get busted on TV! lol. read more

Such nice staff. Family owned local business. It was my first time recycling and I didn't know that there were 7 different types of plastics! I felt so bad because it took them a while to sort through the plastics that were mixed, but they were so nice and respectful about it. They got a little irritated but it was my fault. I don't know if they were having a good day or something but they told me they really don't take mixed plastic recycling and to make sure I separate it. Next time I know. I can't apologize enough lol. MAKE SURE TO SEPARATE ALL different types of plastics, glass, and aluminum! or they won't take your recycling. Make their job easier, it's so tedious. The line gets pretty long in the morning. Make sure you have a couple hours to spare. Highly recommend! read more

After RePlanet closed at Safeway Pinole, there really aren't any convenient recycling centers servicing the Pinole/Richmond/El Cerrito neighborhoods. I'm so happy to discover American Iron & Metals or AIM! So how this place works -you places cans in one or more trash bins (provided), bottles in another, load the bins on a hand cart (provided), and head on over to the scale! They even have a vehicle scale if you're hauling a truck load of scrap metal! You just drive your vehicle up on it, no need to unload it-amazing!!! Also, they're conveniently open on Saturdays, they let you leave caps on the bottles, and they work very quickly -what more could you ask for? Well, me personally, I'd ask for a trash can. That's one thing this place is missing. They ask you to take your trash with you, bummer! And maybe some hand sanitizer, yeah, that would be great! But otherwise, this place is easily 5-stars! A lot of people are frustrated because they've been inconvenienced by this place, I know I have too, but it's not the company's fault business hours are listed incorrectly on Yelp, it's actually Yelp's fault! I have corrections currently pending, I hope it gets updated! read more

American Iron & Metals - Yelp hours and actual hours differ, causing great frustration and inconvenience. I'm here to help with that! - Recycling Center Near Me - Richmond, California

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they're dishonest. paying out people less than they're owed. never noticed this before but they literally ball up your bags & subtract the weight of them from your payout cost, claiming it's so they "don't charge you for the bag"... that don't even make any sense! they're thieves. go elsewhere. I got $25 for a bunch of glass & aluminum. I've gotten 40+ bucks for a lesser amount of mostly plastic at the same place. so I was surprised & asked "is this a joke???" & the lady was so tremendously rude to me for asking, knowing good & well they're ripping ppl off. read more

I have been trying to call this place for days now------no one ever answers their phone there!!! It is really annoying as I just want to get information regarding if they take old refridgerators and how much do they charge as I know that they have to take them apart to get out the harmful things that are inside first. They need to get at least a receptionist to answer their calls. read more

You could miss this spot if you ain't looking carefully. I had to do a u-turn in what looked like a scene out of 8 Mile. Anyways, the place is pretty muddy and full of dirt. I made a mistake of wearing some crispy white air force ones while everyone else knew what was up. I was confused as Confucius when I drove in. Didn't really know how it worked but the people in line were nice enough to tell me that I had to park my car and not block the road, then had to get in line with all my aluminum and glass bottles. Sounds easy right? Nope, not if you some 4'11" little girl with hella bags and boxes of cans/bottles. Luckily, they had the dollies, so I threw all my bags and boxes on there and waited in line like everyone else. There's only one guy who is dividing up your recyclable goods while calculating your amount. While I waited in line, I grabbed empty trash bins to separate my aluminum and glass. I had no gloves so my hands got dirty and gross. Some things I learned from this experience for next time is to wear some old, dirty beater shoes, clothes that i don't care if it gets dirty, better job at separating my stuff and headphones. How did I not know? Cause I've never done this ish before!! At the end, a nice little old lady will cash you out chump change even tho you thought your aluminum goods were gonna make you a nice fortune. read more

I think people should take into consideration before complaining about this business closing early is that they aren't a freaking retail location, meaning they don't operate the same as a "store" would operate. Let me elaborate on this a little bit for the people in the back...they get A LOT of customers coming in each and every day, which means ALL that material like bottles, aluminum, etc. take up a ton of space. They don't have a black hole where the stuff just magically disappears! It inevitably takes up enough room through the day that they can no longer accept any more customers because they have no more room for materials the remainder of the day. ANOTHER reason they have to sometimes close before their signs say is again, they get a lot of customers which means they eventually run out of money to pay people. Bitch about it all you want but that's just how it is anywhere you go when it's this type of business. I've been recycling my goods with AIM for almost 5 years now and I have learned during that time that stuff happens. They have had to turn me away several times for the reasons listed above but I don't cry about it, I come back the next day when I know they will be able to accept me. If you're really that worried about it then go early on in the day so you don't have a reason to complain, unless that's just what you're into. Then by all means carry on with your bitterness, darlings. Anyways, all in all they are super hard workers and I recommend them to anyone who doesn't have a stick up their ass. :) read more

They rip you off, wait in line for an hour with human sh!t everywhere and get a few dollars for several bags.

Great service, best prices, and the place is family owned. The employees are friendly, and knolageable. The music is always cracking. Also the have the best prices in the area and are very fast, I went in with a long line and left within ten minutes! A must visit!! read more

Really awesome owners, family business. Dad, mum, and son all very kind. I recommend coming here.

If you close at 4:30pm change you're fucking time and not have 5pm in here ! I went at 4:20pm and they said they was already closed WTF he was like I been here since 8:30am ?!!!!!!! IDGAF I been at work since 8am and I still managed my way to get here 10 minutes early besides I only had one fucking bag !!!!!!!!! Bad service read more

4.5 stars Take plastic bottles, aluminum cans & sometimes glass bottles here for recycling It can get very busy sometimes, but they always have a couple of guys to keep the line moving Always have a flat bed cart or plastic barrels available to unload my car Pays cash, which I like the most Parking can be tricky read more

Don't waste your time. Called to get pricing, the rude and miserable woman that answered the phone stated she can not give prices over the phone then immediately hung up on me. Guess they don't need the business. Should be 0 stars. read more