skrothandlare

Skrothandlare is a term used in Swedish and other Nordic languages for a person or business that buys scrap material, typically scrap metal, from private individuals, construction sites, factories, and vehicle dismantlers, and resells it to smelters, recyclers, or processing facilities. The word combines skrot (“scrap”) and handlar (“dealer”).

Typical activities include operating a scrap yard or performing mobile buy-and-bag collection, sorting scrap by metal type, removing contaminants, weighing shipments, and handling payments to sellers based on current commodity prices. Skrothandlare may deal with ferrous metals such as iron and steel, and non-ferrous metals such as copper, aluminum, brass, and zinc. In some cases they also handle other recyclables or automotive salvage and electronic waste, depending on local regulations and market demand.

Regulation and safety: Scrap dealers are generally subject to registration or licensing as waste handling or recycling businesses, and must comply with environmental, transport, and workplace safety rules. They are expected to document origins of materials, maintain traceability, prevent theft, and ensure proper storage and disposal of hazardous substances such as oils, batteries, and chemicals. Illegal or informal trading may contribute to environmental harm and crime.

Economic and environmental role: Skrothandlare play a key role in the circular economy by converting discarded metal into feedstock for smelters and recyclers, reducing the need for virgin ore and lowering energy use. Market conditions, commodity prices, and proximity to processing facilities influence profitability and operations.