Secondary Metals Recycler Registration

Secondary metals recyclers in Richmond County who purchase regulated metal property in any quantity are required to register with the Sheriff’s Office under Georgia Law OCGA 10-1-360. Any person who fails to register annually may be guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature. The Sheriff's Office is required to register secondary metals recyclers doing business in the county annually, keep a record of each registration, and enter the registration information into a statewide data base searchable by all law enforcement agencies.

A secondary metals recycler is any person who purchases secondary metals property which has served its original purpose. Therefore, this applies to the "metal recyclers" who purchase secondary metals, as well as individuals/businesses who buy old vehicles and other scrap metal from individuals or businesses.

The law states specifically: "Secondary metals recycler" means any person who is engaged, from a fixed location or otherwise, in the business in this state of paying compensation for regulated metal property that has served its original economic purpose, whether or not engaged in the business of performing the manufacturing process by which regulated metal property is converted into raw material products consisting of prepared grades and having an existing or potential economic value.