skrám

Skrám is a term used in some Czech and Slovak dialects to denote scrap material or junk, especially metal, that is recovered for reuse or recycling. It is an informal, regional term and is not part of standard dictionaries, but it appears in industry discussions, regional regulations, and salvage contexts.

In practice, skrám includes discarded pieces from demolition, manufacturing waste, and end-of-life products that are kept for processing at recycling facilities. It is typically sorted by material type—ferrous metals such as steel and iron; non-ferrous metals such as aluminium and copper; and other materials like plastics and wood—before further processing such as baling, shredding, melting, or re-melting. Prices for skrám materials depend on metal prices, contamination, and grade.

Etymology and usage: The precise origin of skrám is not well documented in mainstream sources. It is considered a regional or informal variant possibly connected to Slavic roots for waste or scrap, and it is sometimes used interchangeably with the standard term šrot in Czech or šrot in Slovak.

In policy and practice, skrám is part of the broader scrap and recycling sector, contributing to resource efficiency and the circular economy. Regulations typically cover handling, contamination control, hazardous materials, transport, and cross-border movement of scrap materials.

See also: scrap, junkyard, recycling, scrap metal, waste management.