About Us

Learn more about our company values and history

Our Team

Ed Rathe

Owner – General Manager

Ben Rathe

Owner – Operations Manager

“bobby”

Head of Security

Our Mission

Whether you’re a high-volume scrap metal producer or scrapping a car for the first time, our goal is simple: to make the process safe, easy, and hassle-free. At Rathe’s, our friendly and knowledgeable team is here to help—no matter the size of the job. Our 20-acre recycling facility is conveniently located right off I-89 in Colchester. Give us a call, fill out our form, or stop by—we’d love to work with you!

Competitive Pricing

Convenient Location

Helpful Staff

Over 55 Years in Business

Our History

Rathe’s Salvage is a third generation family business that was founded in 1969. What started as a family pig farm in the 1950’s transitioned into the “Rathe Brothers” landfill in the mid 1960’s and 1970’s. When the landfill eventually hit capacity it was closed and what remained was a salvage yard. During the 1980’s and 1990’s Rathe’s became one of the largest “pick and pull” salvage yards in Vermont, with thousands of cars in our inventory.

In the late 1990’s and early 2000’s Rathe’s transitioned into what it is today, a full service metal recycling facility, with excavators, a car crusher, and many other pieces of equipment. While our business operations have changed over time, our values haven’t. Providing strong customer service with honesty and integrity is what has kept our business open for over 55 years. We would like to thank all of our customers, for their support throughout the years.

Ever wonder how to pronounce our name?… Well to be honest you are not the first, we’re used to it! Rathe’s is pronounced “Ratty’s” and it’s as easy as that!

Have Questions or Need an Estimate?

See Why Our Customers Trust Us

Rathe's Salvage - Scrap Metal & Automotive Recycling

4.7Out of 5 stars

Overall rating out of 220 Google reviews

Verified by

Dennis Bouldin
a week ago

Left car to be scrapped. Very efficient and friendly (Reggina)

gabrielle jean
2 weeks ago

Super easy to work with!

Robert Gay
2 weeks ago

Filled out the online form in the morning, junk car was gone by evening. Made it easy and pleasant to remove a problem from my plate. Thanks Ben!

Clayton McMahon
2 weeks ago

Great people very helpful! I highly recommend rathes salvage!

Carol Layton
2 weeks ago

Never have given me any problems and always treated with respect.

Phelan Alber
Edited 3 weeks ago

Friendly staff, good prices on scrap metal return. All around good experience

Dakota Parker-Senna
a month ago

Been here forever and always do great business!

David Audette
a month ago

Super friendly staff! Very fair pricing! Highly recommend going to them…

Nathan Farnham
a month ago

Great company to do business with.

Doug Batchelder
a month ago

Best salvage yard to deal with hands down.

Curtis Partlow
a month ago

I will always bring my brass or all metal recycling to Rathes fair pricing and friendly staff

Elizabeth Lamphere
a month ago

They treat us very well

R Verbitis
a month ago

Rathe'a metal recycling center is awesome. It is conveniently located close to Burlington and it's hours are very business friendly. . I love that I am able to recycle my old metal waste that my father has collected for 60 years. Added bonus, I get to converse with Regina on the intercom who operates the the weigh scales and checks you in and out. Great service w great people. It doesn't get any better than that. Roger Verville

Aaron Baltusis
a month ago

Great service!

Katherine Armstrong
a month ago

Very easy and friendly service!!! Called in the morning, and they came and picked up my car within a few hours. Quick transaction, left with some money and one less problem. Highly recommend :)!!

Travis Larkin
a month ago

Showed up on time, super communicative. Very easy to get rid of my car. Thanks Rathes! Would definitely recommend.

Todd C. MacKenzie
a month ago

I have been a happy customer at Rathe's salvage for 35 years. It’s been great every visit while wandering the yard looking for parts. Great work folks!

Rachael Brock
2 months ago

Quick, easy & efficient pick up and towing of my car that I needed to get rid of! Would definitely use their service again if needed!

Nick “datpersonfromvt” Webb
Edited 2 months ago

They love my junk and always give good money for my junk

Mike Millette
2 months ago

Customer service is 5 star. Always helpful and willing to give you the best price for your scape metal!

Kyle Lam
2 months ago

Great experience, quick and simple transaction. Great way to get rid of old metal laying around and make couple dollars at same time!

Mark Duda
2 months ago

Very friendly people. Great service!

wook punisher
2 months ago

Very friendly no issues. Would use again.

Karyn Parker
2 months ago

Absolutely the best of the best! If you need a car, Rathe's will fix you up! I've been driving Rathe's "Junk"- yard cars for 30 years, and couldn't be happier! Thank You so much to all of you (always awesome staff)!

Dion Blackwell
2 months ago

Friendly very professional, allows you come through out the day receiving recipe’s then once you’re done receive your check. Come check and they pay more

J Patton
2 months ago

Amazing service! Amazing people!

Jack Smith
2 months ago

Always a pleasant experience!

Edward Martin
2 months ago

Outstanding service and very reasonably priced. Ben and his crew couldn't have been easier to work with, and they did a great job!

June Tomasi
2 months ago

Quick and efficient!

Jack Gagnon
2 months ago

Great service, made it quick and easy to have my old car picked up

Heather Lash
2 months ago

They paid me $615 more than the dealership offered me for trade in! I talked to Ben, got the offer and he picked the car up less than 2 hours later. You cannot get more efficient than that!

Luke Tougas
2 months ago

Rathe was highly responsive to my inquiries and was very flexible in accommodating my scheduling requests. The customer service was very friendly. Overall, I had a great experience and would highly recommend them.

Shayne Spence
2 months ago

Rathe's made it easy and painless for me to get rid of an old vehicle. They were even willing to come in on a beautiful Saturday to take care of me. Much appreciated and helpful service.

Cougar Prey
2 months ago

Great folks, great to work with. Scrapping is super easy here

Jonathan
2 months ago

Great guys to deal with!

Matt Jones
2 months ago

Good prices and easy to work with

Evan Driscoll
2 months ago

Super friendly and helpful. Made it very easy to get rid of my car. Would definitely recommend!

Greg
2 months ago

Been going to Rathe's since 1996 always treated me fair,great to see Ben is now working there with his father Eddie updating the business and keeping up with the times..

Robert Sweeney
Edited 2 months ago

Always bring my scrap to Rathe's great service and response and best prices in Burlington area! Another great stop at the yard this morning before work Ben is always very helpful and provides top notch customer service!!!!!! Thanks Rathe’s!!!!!!!!!!

Steven Yardley
2 months ago

Rathe’s quickly got our car that needed to be towed and scrapped. They were incredibly friendly and nice. Five stars.