Metal Swarf Recycling and Collection
National Recycling provides metal swarf recycling for manufacturers, machine shops and engineering firms across the UK, collecting fine swarf and larger chips from your site.
Metal swarf collections
What Is Swarf?
Metal swarf is the waste produced when metal is cut, drilled, turned, milled or ground. It ranges from fine particles and dust to curls, chips and turnings.
Swarf is usually clean, single-metal scrap, which makes it well suited to recycling, especially when different metals are kept apart.
We handle ferrous metals, stainless steels and reactive metals, in fine and coarse forms:
Handled with care.
Aluminium, copper and brass swarf.
Common non-ferrous swarf from machining and fabrication.Iron and stainless steel swarf.
Ferrous swarf from turning, milling and drilling.Reactive metal swarf.
Magnesium, titanium and lithium, which need careful handling.Other metals.
Lead, nickel, zinc, tin and tungsten.
From your site to a fresh start
How Swarf Collection Works
- 01
Tell us what you have.
Fill in the quote form with the type of swarf, a rough quantity and your collection postcode. A photo helps us quote accurately. - 02
Get your quote.
Our team replies with a quote providing clear pricing details. - 03
We collect.
A licensed carrier from our national haulage network collects from your site on an agreed date. Swarf is collected in secure containment and transported safely. - 04
Recycle.
All the swarf we collect goes to licensed recycling facilities, where the metal is recovered. - 05
Receive your documents.
You get the waste transfer notes, or consignment notes where the waste is hazardous, so you can show you met your duty of care.
Let’s get it sorted
Arrange a Swarf Collection
Tell us which metals you produce, how much and where you are. Call 0845 366 9306 or request a quote online and our team will reply with a quote.
Professional services
Why Safe Metal Swarf Recycling Matters
Reactive metals such as magnesium and titanium can pose fire or health risks if they are not handled correctly, so they need secure containment and safe transport. Recycling metal swarf, chips, turnings and shavings allows valuable metals such as steel, aluminium, brass, copper and titanium to be recovered and melted down into new raw material.
You also have a legal duty of care for your waste under section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. That means passing swarf only to authorised carriers and keeping waste transfer notes for two years.
A partner you can depend on
Why Choose National Recycling
UK-wide coverage.
Our network of haulage partners collects from businesses across the country, so multi-site companies deal with one supplier.Fully compliant.
We use verified waste carriers and licensed recycling facilities, in line with UK regulations.Recycling first.
We recover materials wherever possible and only dispose of what cannot be recycled safely.Reactive metals handled.
We collect magnesium, titanium and other reactive swarf, with secure containment and safe transport.Fast quotes.
Our team replies quickly to every enquiry, providing a fast turnaround for collections.One-off or regular.
Book a single clearance or a scheduled collection, with one supplier for every location.
Find the right service
Related Services
What is metal swarf?
Metal swarf is the waste left over when metal is cut, drilled, turned, milled or ground. It can be fine particles, curls, chips or turnings. Machine shops, engineering firms and manufacturers produce swarf in steel, aluminium, brass, copper and many other metals, and most of it can be recycled.
Can swarf be recycled?
Yes. Most metal swarf can be recycled, because it is usually a single, clean metal. Keeping different metals in separate containers makes swarf recycling easier. We collect swarf from businesses across the UK and send it to licensed recycling facilities, where the metal is recovered for reuse.
Do you supply swarf bins?
Yes. We provide suitable containers for your swarf, along with guidance on safe storage and the documentation you need. Tell us which metals you produce and roughly how much when you ask for a quote, and we will recommend the right containers for your site.
Which metals do you collect as swarf?
We collect aluminium, copper, brass, iron, stainless steel, magnesium, titanium, lead, nickel, zinc, tin, tungsten and lithium swarf. We handle both fine swarf and larger chips. If you produce a metal that is not listed, tell us on the quote form and we will let you know.
Is magnesium swarf dangerous?
It can be. Reactive metals such as magnesium and titanium can pose fire or health risks if they are not handled correctly. Store reactive swarf separately from other waste and use a specialist for collection. We provide secure containment and safe transport to licensed recycling facilities.
How much does swarf collection cost?
The cost depends on the type of metal, the quantity and your location. Different metals vary in value, so we quote each swarf collection individually. Send us the details through our quote form, ideally with a photo, and our team will reply with a quote.