Hailey
A well-known local spot for recycling scrap metal and old vehicles in Emporia, Kansas has suddenly closed. Advantage Metals Recycling, located at 302 Graham Street, officially shut down its Emporia site on Friday. The company posted a closure notice and stated that the location is closed effective immediately.
For years, people in and around Emporia depended on Advantage Metals to sell old metal items and scrap vehicles. But now, with the sudden closure, customers will have to travel to the company’s Topeka location to get similar services.
Let’s take a closer look at what this closure means for the community and what you should know moving forward.
What Was Advantage Metals Recycling?
Advantage Metals Recycling was a trusted metal recycling center that served Emporia and the surrounding areas. People could bring in:
- Scrap metal
- Appliances
- Junk cars
- Other unwanted metal items
The business made it easy for people to make some cash while also helping the environment. Instead of throwing away old metal, locals could recycle it properly.
For many, especially those in the construction or auto industries, this was a helpful and necessary service.
Closure Announced Without Warning
The closure was a surprise to many. A simple notice was posted on Friday, and there was no prior warning or public announcement. As of now, there’s no clear reason given for the shutdown.
Even more confusing, when people try to call the Emporia location, they’re met with a voicemail message saying the staff are unavailable.
So far, no company spokesperson has provided more information. It’s still unknown if this is a temporary or permanent closure. But based on the language in the notice, it seems like the Emporia branch won’t reopen.
What Happens Now?
For people who still want to use Advantage Metals Recycling, the company recommends visiting its Topeka location. This is the nearest option available and is around 60 miles from Emporia.
The company still operates more than 10 locations across Kansas and Missouri, so not all services are stopping—just the one in Emporia.
If you have metal to recycle or a junk car to get rid of, you’ll now have to travel a bit further to do it. For some, especially businesses or individuals without access to reliable transportation, this is a major inconvenience.
Why This Matters to Emporia
This closure affects more than just a few customers. For years, Advantage Metals was one of the only local options for scrap metal recycling. Now that it’s closed, there are fewer places for people to take:
- Broken appliances
- Wrecked or unwanted vehicles
- Household metal junk
- Construction scraps
Losing this service could mean more metal waste ends up in landfills or cluttered in backyards and garages. It may also cost local workers and businesses more time and gas money to haul scrap to other cities.
Still Hope in the Region
Even though the Emporia branch has closed, the good news is that Advantage Metals Recycling is still active in Kansas and Missouri. Their website lists multiple operating branches where you can still recycle scrap metal, sell old cars, or ask questions.
For now, the Topeka branch is the next best option for Emporia residents. It’s always a good idea to call ahead and confirm their hours before making the drive.
The sudden closure of Advantage Metals Recycling in Emporia comes as a surprise to the community. While the reason behind the shutdown remains unclear, what’s certain is that many people now have one less place to recycle their metal waste responsibly.
Hopefully, more details will come out soon. Until then, locals will need to depend on other nearby branches, especially in Topeka, to meet their recycling needs.