Bill 302: Scrap Metal and Copper Theft Prevention Act

This bill directly affects anyone running a scrap metal yard, metal recycling operation, or buy-back depot in Nova Scotia. Whether you're a solo operator with a small lot or a larger recycling facility, you'll need to register with the province and overhaul how you handle every transaction — checking government ID, getting sellers to sign ownership declarations, photographing people and materials for certain metals, and keeping those records for a year. Cash payments are capped at $50 per day for regular scrap and banned entirely for high-risk items like copper wire, catalytic converters, and HVAC coils, which means switching customers to cheques or e-transfers. You'll also have to hold onto controlled scrap metal for a waiting period before you can process or ship it, and you'll need to report any transaction where you suspect the goods are stolen.