Scrap Metal Recycling in Southold, NY
Metal is free to drop at the Southold transfer station in Cutchogue.
See all 2 optionsChecked October 26, 2026 · Call before you go · How we check
Before you go
- Ask whether items must be mostly metal and free of refrigerant, fuel or oil.
- Check whether the operator pays for metal or charges a fee.
New York rules
- Most scrap metal recyclers accept lead-acid batteries for recycling. Source: NYSDEC: Lead-Acid Batteries (opens in new tab)
- Most large appliances containing metal can be recycled as scrap metal once the refrigerant is removed (DEC storm debris guidance). Source: NYSDEC: Storm Debris Management Guidelines (opens in new tab)
More New York rules (7)
- Household hazardous wastes are household materials that would be regulated as hazardous waste if generated elsewhere; household-generated HHW is exempt from state and federal hazardous waste rules. Source: NYSDEC: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) (opens in new tab)
- Residents can take HHW to authorized HHW collection facilities or HHW collection events hosted by counties and municipalities; DEC has a map and list of permitted facilities. Source: NYSDEC: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) (opens in new tab)
- If there is no permitted facility nearby, check with your municipality for periodic one- or two-day HHW collection events. Source: NYSDEC: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) (opens in new tab)
- The state Environmental Protection Fund can pay up to 50 percent of the cost of municipal HHW collection programs. Source: NYSDEC: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) (opens in new tab)
- General Municipal Law 120-aa required every municipality, by September 1, 1992, to adopt a local law requiring source separation of recyclables (paper, glass, metals, plastics, yard waste) where economic markets exist. Source: NY General Municipal Law 120-AA: Source separation and segregation of recyclable or reuseable materials (opens in new tab)
- DEC tells residents to check local guidance to see which items their program accepts. Source: NYSDEC: Recycling Resources (opens in new tab)
- DEC lists New York collection programs for items that belong outside the recycling bin: beverage containers, carpet, cell phones, e-waste, lead-acid vehicle batteries, mercury thermostats, paint, pharmaceuticals, plastic film, rechargeable batteries and tires. Source: NYSDEC: Recycling and Composting (opens in new tab)
Where this information comes from (13)
Where this information comes from
Checked October 26, 2026
- Town of Southold: Waste Management Fees (opens in new tab) · Town of Southold
- Tip fees: metal free; tires $0.18 per pound ($360 per ton); major appliances (white goods) free. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Vehicle permits are available to all users; vehicles without permits pay a single-entry fee ($5 cars and small trucks). Checked October 26, 2026.
- The single-entry fee for cars and trucks under one ton is $5 per trip; no permit or fee is needed for recyclables only. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Town of Southold: Transfer Station (opens in new tab) · Town of Southold
- The Town does not provide curbside pickup of garbage or recyclables; residents self-haul or hire a private carter. Checked October 26, 2026.
- NYSDEC: Lead-Acid Batteries (opens in new tab) · New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
- Most scrap metal recyclers accept lead-acid batteries for recycling. Checked October 26, 2026.
- NYSDEC: Storm Debris Management Guidelines (opens in new tab) · New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
- Most large appliances containing metal can be recycled as scrap metal once the refrigerant is removed (DEC storm debris guidance). Checked October 26, 2026.
- NYSDEC: Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) (opens in new tab) · New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
- Household hazardous wastes are household materials that would be regulated as hazardous waste if generated elsewhere; household-generated HHW is exempt from state and federal hazardous waste rules. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Residents can take HHW to authorized HHW collection facilities or HHW collection events hosted by counties and municipalities; DEC has a map and list of permitted facilities. Checked October 26, 2026.
- If there is no permitted facility nearby, check with your municipality for periodic one- or two-day HHW collection events. Checked October 26, 2026.
- The state Environmental Protection Fund can pay up to 50 percent of the cost of municipal HHW collection programs. Checked October 26, 2026.
- NY General Municipal Law 120-AA: Source separation and segregation of recyclable or reuseable materials (opens in new tab) · New York State Senate (Open Legislation)
- General Municipal Law 120-aa required every municipality, by September 1, 1992, to adopt a local law requiring source separation of recyclables (paper, glass, metals, plastics, yard waste) where economic markets exist. Checked October 26, 2026.
- NYSDEC: Recycling Resources (opens in new tab) · New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
- DEC tells residents to check local guidance to see which items their program accepts. Checked October 26, 2026.
- NYSDEC: Recycling and Composting (opens in new tab) · New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
- DEC lists New York collection programs for items that belong outside the recycling bin: beverage containers, carpet, cell phones, e-waste, lead-acid vehicle batteries, mercury thermostats, paint, pharmaceuticals, plastic film, rechargeable batteries and tires. Checked October 26, 2026.
“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.
How we check our information