U PULL IT

Alter Metal Recycling - Council Bluffs at 2603 9th Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51501

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(36 Reviews)
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Contact

(712) 328-2601

2603 9th Avenue, Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501

Hours

Mon - Fri7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed

Overview

Alter Metal Recycling - Council Bluffs at 2603 9th Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51501

Alter Metal Recycling is a scrap metal buyer and self-service auto salvage yard at 2603 9th Ave in Council Bluffs, Iowa. They handle scrap metal—both ferrous and non-ferrous like copper, brass, aluminum, and steel—and run a u-pull-it yard where customers can remove parts from junked cars themselves. The yard is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with no weekend or Friday hours. Public reviews for this location aren’t available.

Services & What to Expect

Alter Metal Recycling offers two main services: scrap metal recycling and self-service auto salvage. For scrap metal, they take ferrous and non-ferrous materials, including copper, brass, aluminum, and steel. Pricing isn’t listed online, so call (712) 328-2601 for current rates. For auto salvage, customers can browse and remove parts from junked vehicles on their own—the yard doesn’t provide tools, so bring your own. If you need to get rid of a junk car, check out local cash-for-cars services instead.

Scrap Metal Recycling

Alter Metal Recycling buys both ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal. They commonly accept:

  • Copper
  • Brass
  • Aluminum
  • Steel
  • Other non-ferrous metals
Pricing isn’t posted online, so call (712) 328-2601 or check their website for rates. The yard is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Self-Service Auto Salvage (U-Pull-It)

The salvage yard lets customers remove parts from junked vehicles themselves. Tools aren’t provided, so bring your own. You’ll typically find:

  • Engines and transmissions
  • Body panels and frames
  • Interior parts (seats, dashboards)
  • Electrical and mechanical components
  • Suspension and drivetrain parts
The yard is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Call ahead to confirm inventory or hours.

What to Bring

If visiting the salvage yard, bring:

  • Tools (wrenches, sockets, pry bars)
  • Gloves and safety gear
  • A truck or trailer for parts
  • Cash or a payment method
For scrap metal, sort it by type if possible, but unsorted loads are fine too.

Location & Hours

Alter Metal Recycling is at 2603 9th Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51501. They’re open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Central Time) and closed Fridays, weekends, and holidays. The yard is near the intersection of 9th Ave and Douglas St, with easy access from major roads. Use Waze or another navigation app for directions.

Directions

From I-29, take Exit 1 (Douglas St) and head west toward 9th Ave. The entrance is on the right. Parking is available on-site.

Contact Information

Phone: (712) 328-2601
Website: altertrading.com
Facebook: Alter Trading
Twitter: @AlterTrading

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the hours for Alter Metal Recycling in Council Bluffs?

The yard is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Central Time). They’re closed Fridays, weekends, and holidays. For the latest hours, check their website or call (712) 328-2601.

Does Alter Metal Recycling buy junk cars?

Alter Metal Recycling focuses on scrap metal and self-service salvage. They don’t buy junk cars directly. For selling a junk car, look for local cash-for-cars services .

What kind of parts can I find at Alter Metal Recycling’s salvage yard?

The salvage yard has parts from junked vehicles, including:

  • Engines and transmissions
  • Body panels and frames
  • Seats and dashboards
  • Electrical and mechanical components
  • Suspension and drivetrain parts
Inventory changes often, so call ahead or visit to check what’s available.

How does self-service auto salvage work at Alter Metal Recycling?

Customers browse and remove parts from junked vehicles themselves. The yard doesn’t supply tools, so bring your own. Parts are sold by the piece, and you’ll need gloves, safety gear, and a way to haul them away. The yard is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Do I need to bring my own tools to remove parts?

Yes, Alter Metal Recycling doesn’t provide tools. Bring wrenches, sockets, pry bars, and any other tools you’ll need. Gloves and safety gear are also a good idea.

Can I sell scrap metal at Alter Metal Recycling?

Yes, they buy scrap metal—both ferrous and non-ferrous like copper, brass, aluminum, and steel. Pricing isn’t listed online, so call (712) 328-2601 for current rates. The yard is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

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3.4
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(36 Reviews)

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mary renken
mary renkenGoogle
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7 months ago

Customer service should be the first thing any business gets right. This place clearly didn’t. Some guy screamed at me for not knowing the rules, wouldn’t let me see the scale, and then threatened me—*yelled* that I better never walk behind his forklift again. Not only was I yelled at, but he accused me of something I didn’t even do. This isn’t how you treat people. Seriously, how is this place still open? Everyone’s got enough stress in their lives without some employee making it worse. ---

Chase YourDreams
Chase YourDreamsGoogle
starstarstarstarstar
8 months ago

First time here, and honestly, it was a terrible experience. The woman by the weigh ramps was friendly enough, but the guy in the office on the left side of the lot? Total jerk. We were new to this, and between the dumpsters banging, we couldn’t hear a thing he said. Instead of helping us out, he snapped at us, saying he’d already told us three times—like we were just ignoring him. We left with our radiator and won’t be back. Carter Lake it is from now on. ---

Bryan Blount
Bryan BlountGoogle
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1 year ago

Got screwed over by almost $200 for my aluminum gutters in Council Bluffs on March 3, 2025. They acted like I wasn’t paying attention to the weight, but I checked—my first load was 5,240 lbs, and after dropping it off, it was 4,840. They handed me a $17 check at first, saying if I brought in another load, they’d fix it. So I did, and suddenly the first check was for $197. At $0.97 per pound, they shorted me by 200 lbs. When I asked about checking the cameras, they shut me down. Felt like I had no choice but to take the loss. At the time, I was furious and said I’d never go back—but after cooling off, I realized this was a one-time mess-up. I’ve dealt with them plenty of times before, and they’ve always been fair. I’ll call tomorrow to sort it out and keep working with them. ---

Dave Dyas
Dave DyasGoogle
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2 years ago

No surprise people avoid this place. I had a small bag of scrap lead—pulled it from a dumpster to keep it out of the landfill (you know, like Asarco should’ve done). Pulled up to an open spot near the office, and some guy immediately started yelling, *"You can’t park here!"* Tried explaining it was just one small bag, but no—park by the fence, grab a cart, bring it in. I’m on crutches, I told him. Over and over. Moved to the carts—*"Nope, can’t park here!"* Had to shuffle 30 feet away while some guy on a forklift just watched. The bag was on my roof the whole time, but he couldn’t be bothered to grab it. I dragged it inside just to get my $3.34. Not worth the hassle.

T T
T TGoogle
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3 years ago

First time at a junkyard, and it wasn’t great, but the people made it easier. They were nice and actually helped me out, which took some of the pressure off. Still not a fan, but at least they didn’t make it worse. ---

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