Scrapyards

If you handle or process scrap metal, you may be in possession of dangerous materials contained within munitions scrap piles. You may not even be aware that you have it.

Munitions scrap consists of any parts or by-products of military ammunition. It includes shell casings, projectiles, launchers, shrapnel, fuzes and is in and of itself not dangerous. However, in the past explosives became mixed in with munitions scrap and made their way into the metal recycling stream. As a result, injuries and deaths have occurred.

To ensure public safety, the Department of National Defence (DND) no longer sells its munition scrap to scrapyards.

Advice for scrap processors

If you have or suspect you have munition scrap:

• do not move or disturb the items
• do not process, sell or redistribute the items
• call 911 immediately