About Us

Learn more about our company values and history

Our Team

Ed Rathe

Owner – General Manager

Ben Rathe

Owner – Operations Manager

“bobby”

Yard 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 and towing companies in the state of Vermont with thousands of cars in our yard.

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 making this possible.

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

4.6Out of 5 stars

Overall rating out of 165 Google reviews

Verified by

Ryan Delorme
3 days ago

Very quick service and turn around. Came right to me to pick up my vehicle and gave me a fair price

Steve Roy
3 days ago

Rathes make it simple to drop off scrap metals.

Pablo Escobar
5 days ago

This is the place to go...

Daniel Morton
2 weeks ago

Rathe’s has been very helpful every interaction I have with them. I appreciate their service.

Cory Collins
a month ago

Great prices on parts and always helpful!

Mark J
a month ago

I generally do not do reviews. Had a good experience here today. Don't know the name of the young man there but received an assessment very quickly on what they could do for me with no rudeness or unnecessary B.S. If it becomes necessary I would do business with them, no problem. Much better experience than Fairfax Salvage. sometimes it just the little things, like COURTESY.

Owen Guthrie
a month ago

Over the course of the last year we’ve taken 4 loads of various different things to Rathe’s. Appliances, auto parts, random scrap metal, scrap copper pipe, scrap copper wire, and more. Everyone is very friendly, helpful, fair, and easy to work with! Would recommend them to anyone!

Phelan Alber
a month ago

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

Courtland williams
a month ago

Always amazing service and will always buy your junk

Nick “datpersonfromvt” Webb
a month ago

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

Jared Willey
a month ago

Ben was great. No hassle, professional, and helpful. I highly recommend Rathe's!

Jonathan Johnson
2 months ago

As always great place to recycle metal, cars and buy parts!

Emilyo Galvin
2 months ago

Great service very fast and helpful

Cheryl Persitz
2 months ago

I utilized the form on the website and was pleasantly surprised with the same day quick response to my request. Ben called before heading out to let me know he was coming and was very professional and courteous. He picked up the car in the time frame promised on the call. I highly recommend their service! They will be my go to if I need again

Caitlin Maloney
2 months ago

Had a really good experience with Rathe Salvage. Originally I was going to drive my very rusty 16 year old civic over to them since I’m not far away, but Ben was able to pick it up and give me the same quote as if I’d dropped it off. It was easy to schedule the pickup and Ben was perfectly on time. Great experience overall.

Brian Bohannon
3 months ago

Always a good place to go! Friendly people and they help you unload if you need the help!

Mark Arvanigian
3 months ago

Ben and the team at Rathe’s are amazing. Super nice people and easy to work with.

Stephen Merena
3 months ago

Very responsive and professional. High recommendation.

Mark Beaumier
3 months ago

Great service, Friendly employees

Jess Maple
3 months ago

Thanks for the Awesome Jeep! And we were given extra pieces we needed. They even dug out the Jeep out of a 3 ft snow drift for us! Thanks for an awesome by. We love it.

Liz Fenton
4 months ago

Great service! Friendly, quick response time.

keith lance
4 months ago

Ben & Regina (in the office) were great and easy to deal with, simple transaction and no hassle, I would return to do business again. They gave a fair $ offer for my damaged vehicle which was more than other avenues had offered, Ben was prompt and professional with an emailed offer the same day.

Melanie Bennett
4 months ago

Made it super easy to recycle our vehicle. Pickup fee was also very reasonable making it even easier.

Ruben Ionnisian
4 months ago

Helpful people that are trying to meet all their customers needs.

Chet Nubbler
4 months ago

They are great here. Always friendly. Clear communication for helping me scrap

Dave Blittersdorf
5 months ago

Great, honest and efficient to buy a used forklift from. Thanks, Ben Rathe!

Sebastian R
5 months ago

Needed parts for an 01 CRV, had exactly what I needed. Lots of rims and other goodies

Emmett King
5 months ago

had the parts we needed readily available

Luke Beeson
5 months ago

Good prices for scrap and have the truck I’ve been looking everywhere for in the yard!

Maxwell King
5 months ago

Very friendly, good price for scrap metal

Bowen Malcolm
6 months ago

I had a positive experience doing business at Rathe's. Our communication was clear and respectful. This yard is organized and well-managed. Thanks, Ben!

Miranda Hayes
6 months ago

Rathe’s was an amazing at finding the part I needed for a great price. Highly recommend. Everyone was great. Thank you!

WBKM ORG
6 months ago

Ben was just great. He listened to my salvage situation and helped me sell my vehicle for a very fair price. A big load off my mind! Mr. Rathe was great at picking up the vehicle and completing the sale. Thanks to all!

Sarah Kennedy
6 months ago

Everybody was so helpful & nice to talk to on the phone during multiple conversations & even more friendly in person! Thank you to your crew for the positive experience all the way around! 😊

Michael Russen
7 months ago

Hands down best customer service.

Brandon Bondy
8 months ago

Rathe Salvage was great to work with. Excellent customer service and answered all my questions on the phone before I arrived. Would recommend.

Emmett Bortnick
8 months ago

Quick, easy, and above all else kind and helpful! If you need to scrap some metal come here!!