Buckets of smaller items?

I'm currently in the process of clearing out several sheds/barns and I've been stashing my smaller scrap metal pieces into 5 gallon buckets. Is this actually a good way to go about it or am I wasting my time? Honestly probably not looking to sell it myself but I want it stored away neatly so when I find someone to come pick it up they can load up quickly and get out of my hair. Its stuff like screws, nails, bolts, and small pieces of wire.