...increase our carbon footprint?
Ralfcode, the few kilogrammes of old tin cans on that 15 tonne 20 mile journey truck might make sense, I expect you've done the sums. Perhaps you could elaborate with your calculations.
Carbon footprint is pure bull!
That said it does take a lot of energy to mine transport and refine metals as opposed to simply hauling them for recycling. A good solution is to either shred or bale the scrap before transportation. This saves the generator of scrap money too!