A scrap metal recycling monitoring system, wherein a container, identified and of a known tare weight is associated with a scale while scrap metal is placed therein. The scale continuously monitors the weight of the container, and can be polled, or automatically produces an auditable data stream revealing the change in weight of the container over time as it is associated with the scale. A camera records the container while it is on the scale and also produces auditable image data. As containers near capacity, a notice is automatically generated to coordinate dispatch activities of persons transporting containers.