Top Recycling Facilities Near Dane County: Where Metal Meets Sustainability in 2025

If you’re considering recycling scrap metal in Dane County—in Madison or nearby—here’s an insightful guide to three well-regarded facilities. Learn how they operate, what they offer, and how they contribute to environmental sustainability.

All Metals Recycling – Madison (Park Street location)

Overview:

Family-owned and operated for over 30 years, All Metals Recycling serves both homeowners and businesses throughout Dane County and beyond. Centrally located just north of the Beltline, it offers convenient drop-off, free junk car pickup anywhere in Dane County, and a drive-on scale for fast, accurate weighing and payment  .

Services:

You can bring a wide range of metal—appliances, copper wire, aluminum cans, brass, lead, stainless steel—and get instant cash. They handle both residential recycling and industrial contracts. Businesses can take advantage of dumpsters, onsite bailing, shearing, and annual recycling reports  .

Sustainability Focus:

Their recycling initiatives save significant energy—recycling aluminum uses 95% less energy than producing it from ore, and scrap steel saves around 75% compared to raw steel production. Every ton they divert from landfills reduces greenhouse gases and conserves natural resources  .

Customer Experience:

With an A+ Better Business Bureau rating, responsive staff, and over three decades of service, All Metals is known for reliability and transparency. They offer free car removal, cash payouts, and a streamlined transaction process—neighbors frequently mention getting cash and tow for old vehicles in as little time as possible  .

Alter Metal Recycling – Madison (Sycamore Avenue, east side)

Overview:

Part of a larger Midwest network founded in 1898, Alter in Madison operates on approximately 15 acres with industrial-grade equipment. They serve both industrial feeders and individual customers with a large-scale shredding operation that handles steel, aluminum, and copper efficiently  .

Services & Operations:

This facility uses heavy-duty industrial shears, conveyors, shredders, magnets, and sorters to process incoming scrap at scale. Everything from junk cars to aluminum cans are shredded, sieved, and separated—with nearly no scrap value left behind. The process is described as “pretty violent,” but highly effective in recovering every last bit of metal value  .

Customer Experience:

Known locally for competitive pricing, transparency at the truck scale, and courteous staff, Alter gets consistent praise from users. One Reddit user shared:

“I go to Alter metals… they have competitive prices on scrap, and don’t rip you off as hard as All Metals Recycling”  .

Sustainability:

Handling 6,000–10,000 tons of ferrous and 750–1,000 tons of non-ferrous metals per month, Alter makes substantial environmental impact by efficiently processing material destined otherwise for landfill or higher-carbon manufacturing  .

Sadoff Iron & Metal – Wisconsin (Regional presence, includes Dane County service)

Overview:

Though not strictly in Dane County, Sadoff has regional operations in Wisconsin recognized for strong environmental standards. They serve residential and commercial clients and operate under rigorous standards like ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and Wisconsin’s Green Tier certification  .

Services:

Beyond traditional scrap metal recycling, Sadoff processes electronics, data destruction hardware, and supports industrial clients with custom recycling solutions. Their certified programs include secure e-waste recycling compliant with R2 and environmental safety protocols  .

Sustainability & Compliance:

The company prioritizes not only recycling volume but also safety and environmental accountability. It maintains ISO standards for quality, environmental management, and worker safety—and participates in national green certifications and audits  .

Tips to Maximize Your Scrap Metal Earnings

• Call ahead for updated rates—prices fluctuate daily.

• Sort and clean metals beforehand—clean copper or aluminum fetches more.

• Separate high-value metals like copper wire and brass for best payouts.

• Bring a magnet—helps sort ferrous from non-ferrous before arrival.

• Travel smart—All Metals and Alter offer great convenience within Dane County; Sadoff serves more diverse recycling needs if you’re disposing of e-waste or electronics.

Final Thoughts

Each facility has its strengths:

• All Metals Recycling provides accessible, family-operated service with free vehicle pickups and strong energy-saving credentials.

• Alter Metal Recycling operates at industrial scale with excellent recycling recovery rates and is favored for competitive pricing.

• Sadoff Iron & Metal offers advanced sustainability certifications and broader recycling services, including electronics and industrial waste.

Together, they illustrate how metal recycling in Wisconsin isn’t just profitable—it’s practical, green, and community-focused.

Let me know if you’d like to add facility addresses, current rate flashes, or a short Nextdoor post teaser—I’m happy to fine-tune further.

Sources

All Metals Recycling operations, services and sustainability benefits

Alter Metal Recycling operational details and capabilities

Reddit user feedback on pricing and service

Sadoff Iron & Metal environmental certifications and services

General aluminum recycling sustainability statistics