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FAQs

Questions about StopMetalsTheft.org or metals theft in general? Our FAQ page has answers to some of the most asked questions about this important resource.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Metals theft has become an overwhelming problem for communities across the United States and for countries around the world. It involves police, community businesses, local governments, and scrap dealers. As prices for a variety of recycled metals go up in price due to growing demand, criminals take advantage of nearly every opportunity available to them to steal these materials. Thieves look for targets of opportunity and since too often some of these materials are not well-guarded or secured, the opportunity for theft exists.

Generally non-ferrous metals such as copper and aluminum are the most commonly stolen metals.  However, theft of ferrous metals, such as iron and steel is also a problem across the country.

Increased demand for metals from both domestic and international markets drive up prices. Strong economic conditions that exist on several continents have led to high demand for these materials.

It is often difficult to tell the difference between stolen and legitimate materials. Unfortunately, the reality is that in most cases by the time the metals reach a recycler it has been stripped, crushed, cut into pieces, or otherwise altered in such a way to make it indistinguishable from the legitimate scrap materials purchased by a recycler each day.

ISRI’s ScrapTheftAlert.com is a web-based system that allows local law enforcement agencies and others to report stolen materials to scrap recycling companies to enlist them to be on the lookout for the materials. When notified of a metals theft, an email is immediately distributed to all relevant contacts within a 100 mile radius giving scrap recyclers notice and contact information should they see the stolen materials. The system is free of charge and has proven to be a very effective tool at catching the criminals and also recovering stolen materials.

Local law enforcement needs to sensitize their personnel to the growing problem of metals theft and train them in the proper identification of materials likely to be stolen so they can be on the watch for these materials during routine investigations. They also need to encourage likely victims of these thefts to secure and/or guard these materials so they do not pose an easy opportunity for thieves.

All 50 states have passed some type of legislation dealing with materials thefts in recent years.

StopMetalsTheft.org

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Discover essential tools on state metals theft laws, theft alert systems, industry insights, law enforcement strategies, and more to fight against metals theft.

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Laws

ReMA’s State Metal Theft Law Database helps visitors understand laws with pre-made or custom reports on the provisions and states that interest them.

FAQs

Questions about StopMetalsTheft.org or metals theft in general? Our FAQ page has answers to some of the most asked questions about this important resource.

Prevention

Tools and prevention techniques that limit the opportunity for the theft of metals, developed with crime prevention experts.

Resources

Tools and prevention techniques that limit the opportunity for the theft of metals, developed with crime prevention experts.

MetalTheftAlert.com

To combat the important issue of metals theft, ReMA has developed www.MetalTheftAlert.com, an online theft alert system that is available to law enforcement, recyclers, and property owners – free of charge.

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Success Stories

Stories of success recovering stolen materials using ReMA’s MetalTheftAlert.com resource for recyclers and law enforcement.

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Recycled Materials Association

Meet ReMA

Based in Washington, DC, we drive advocacy, workforce development and awareness of the critical role of recycled materials.

About ReMA

The Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) is the association for the recycled materials industry, representing more than 1,700 companies around the world.

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Advocacy

ReMA’s advocacy efforts highlight the role of recycled materials in our economy, environment, supply chain, and beyond, at all levels of government.

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