August on Long Island usually means one of two things in the garage: a window unit that finally gave out mid-heatwave, or a backlog of yard and home projects you've been stepping around since spring. Most of it looks like junk. A good chunk of it is actually scrap metal you can turn into cash this month.

What's Probably Sitting in Your Garage Right Now

• Take a look around before the next dump run — these are some of the most common summer scrap items Arrow sees:

• Old or broken window and wall AC units (the housings and coils inside hold real aluminum and copper)

• Dead lawn mowers, trimmers, and other small engine equipment

• Old grills (once the propane tank has been safely removed and disposed of separately)

• Gutters, downspouts, and leftover aluminum siding from spring projects

• Metal patio furniture frames, old fencing, and railing

• Extension cords, wire, and cable left over from any project

• Hand tools, pipe, and the miscellaneous metal you've been meaning to deal with

Why Summer Is Prime Scrap Season

Summer is when most home projects generate metal — AC swaps, deck and fence work, garage reorganizing, the occasional shed teardown. That means a steady mix of aluminum (AC housings, gutters, siding), copper (AC coils, wiring), and steel or iron (tools, mower decks, furniture frames) coming out of garages across the area. All of it is fair game at Arrow.

How Drop-Off Works at Arrow

Bring your scrap to either Arrow location — no appointment needed for a standard drop-off. Materials are weighed on certified scales, and you're paid based on current market value for whatever you bring in. It's the same process whether you're hauling in a single AC unit or a truck bed full of mixed metal.

West Babylon: 83 Kean St., West Babylon, NY 11704 — 631-491-3061

Holbrook: 1120 Lincoln Ave., Holbrook, NY 11741 — 631-319-1910

Hours: Monday–Friday 7:00 AM–5:00 PM, Saturday 7:00 AM–12:00 PM, Closed Sunday

A Few Things to Know Before You Load Up the Truck

• Scrap prices change regularly. Check the live Metal & E-Waste Prices page before you head over so you have a realistic idea of what to expect.

• Separating materials — aluminum from steel, copper from mixed wire — before you arrive can speed up your weigh-in.

• Not every item carries the same value, and condition matters. Arrow's team can give you a clear answer on-site for any load.

• Arrow accepts auto parts, excluding catalytic converters, so keep that in mind if your summer cleanout touches a vehicle.

Make the Trip Worth It

Before that old AC unit or rusted-out mower heads to the curb, bring it to Arrow instead. It keeps recyclable metal out of the landfill, and it's a quick way to turn a summer cleanout into a little extra cash. Stop by West Babylon or Holbrook during business hours, or get directions and check current prices before you go.