Alter Metal Recycling - Council Bluffs

Alter Metal Recycling - Council Bluffs A worldwide leader in scrap metal recycling for over 125 years. It was opened to generate scrap for Griffin Pipe foundry across the fence from the yard.

Council Bluffs opened in the early 1960's with the only concrete in the yard being the truck scale. It has since grown to be one of Alters largest yards shipping scrap all over the world. Council Bluffs installed one of the first car shredders in the company in the late 70's. Along with the Harris 1123 ton shear, it was well equipped at the time to handle any type of scrap processing. Today, in ad

dition to the updated shredder, a brand new ASR plant has been installed to maximize recoveries of non-ferrous from the shredder residue. Council Bluffs is a full service facility by offering scrap purchasing from peddlers, dealers and industrial customers. Truck container service is available with a fleet of roll-off style trucks, lugger trucks and semi-trucks. Another service offered is the car crushing division. Alter Council Bluffs continues to be committed to the area community. We partake in the annual citywide parade and employees have volunteered to help in the annual city cleanups. We also provide vehicles to the fire department for training of their employees. Alter CB also has a good relationship with the police department in an effort to curb metal theft. We provide a means for them to dispose of confiscated weapons by processing them through our shredder. As one of the city?s largest employer?s we provide economic value to the community.

At Alter Trading, safety is something we work on together—every day. Each year teams across all our facilities participa...
09/03/2026

At Alter Trading, safety is something we work on together—every day. Each year teams across all our facilities participate in Safety Stand Down activities as part of OSHA’s 2026 Safe + Sound Week*, a nationwide opportunity to recognize the work being done to strengthen workplace safety and reflect on the efforts that help keep employees safe throughout the year.*

"Safety isn’t something that one person or one department can own. It takes all of us looking out for each other, speaking up when we see a hazard, and making the right decisions—even when the work gets busy," said Jeff Wilke, Vice President of Safety at Alter Trading*. "The people we work alongside every day are the reason safety matters. We want every member of the Alter team to go home safe at the end of every shift."*

Take a look through the photos to see just some of the employees who participated in Safety Stand Down activities. Each person pictured represents a commitment to looking out for one another and making safety part of how we work. Thank you to everyone who participated and continues to make safety a shared responsibility.

Recycling metal uses far less energy than producing new material. Your old car parts, pipes, and appliances could become...
09/02/2026

Recycling metal uses far less energy than producing new material. Your old car parts, pipes, and appliances could become new buildings, bridges, or batteries, without the need to mine raw materials.

One of the most common questions we get: "Do you take ___?"The short answer is probably yes! Alter Metal Recycling accep...
09/02/2026

One of the most common questions we get: "Do you take ___?"
The short answer is probably yes! Alter Metal Recycling accepts a wide range of ferrous and non-ferrous metals. But if you want to know for sure before making the drive, we've got you covered.

If you’re still not sure, give us a call! Our team is always happy to help you figure out what you've got. You can also reference our handy accepted materials guide anytime: https://www.altertrading.com/ #/buying-metal

09/01/2026

These railcars will transport recycled metal from Alter Trading back to the very facility where the steel was produced.

For Alter, this is more than a fleet of new railcars. It represents the role recycled metal can play in creating the next generation of steel—with the material we recover today helping become the steel products of tomorrow.

From recycling facilities, to rail, to the steel mill and back again, this is what a circular economy looks like in practice.

We’re proud to be the customer putting these railcars to work—and even prouder of the role they will play in advancing a more sustainable steel supply chain.

Metal recycling keeps useful materials in circulation and out of landfills. Every load makes a difference, whether it’s ...
08/28/2026

Metal recycling keeps useful materials in circulation and out of landfills. Every load makes a difference, whether it’s just a few pieces or a full truckload.

If you aren’t sure what items we can accept, feel free to reach out to our team, or use this handy resource:https://www.altertrading.com/ #/buying-metal

Think you know the answer? Comment below!
08/24/2026

Think you know the answer? Comment below!

Metal recycling is part of a larger cycle that helps reduce waste and supports manufacturing nationwide. It’s a good hab...
08/19/2026

Metal recycling is part of a larger cycle that helps reduce waste and supports manufacturing nationwide. It’s a good habit, and a smart way to earn something back for things you no longer need.

If the garage, basement, or shed needs a reset before school starts, now’s a good time to scrap what you’re no longer us...
08/14/2026

If the garage, basement, or shed needs a reset before school starts, now’s a good time to scrap what you’re no longer using. Old bikes, shelving, broken tools, metal furniture—if it’s metal, we’ll take a look!

Start the school year with a little more space (and a little extra cash in your pocket).

This is because non-ferrous metals do not contain iron. Rust is a specific type of corrosion that only happens when iron...
08/10/2026

This is because non-ferrous metals do not contain iron. Rust is a specific type of corrosion that only happens when iron reacts with oxygen and water.

Address

2603 9th Avenue
Council Bluffs, IA
51501

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 7am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 7am - 4:30pm
Thursday 7am - 4:30pm
Friday 7am - 4:30pm

Telephone

(712) 328-2601

Website

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