Selling Your Scraps: What to Know About Selling Your Scrap Metals

11 December 2017

Scrap metal recycling can be a good way to stash some extra cash in your pocket—but how do you begin selling those scraps that are currently strewn about your property? Actually, it's dead simple, and you need only to read over the following info to get started. 

Which Scrap Metals Are Worth Cash?

The scrap metals that scrap metal collectors purchase most frequently include: 

1. Copper: Copper is a red-gold colour. It may turn to a brown colour if exposed to the elements, and it sometimes develops a greenish colour. Copper is the most valuable of the scrap metals.
2. Brass: Brass is a yellow colour with a bit of reddish tone. It's heavier than copper. Oxidised brass may be green, dark brown, or even a blackish colour. Brass is second only to copper in its scrap metal value.
3. Aluminium: Aluminium is silver coloured; however, you should watch out for aluminium that's been painted white. It's still worth cash, but you might need to scrape away a bit of the paint to verify that there's aluminium beneath. Aluminum is the third most valuable scrap metal, after copper and brass.
4. Steel: Steel is silver, and it is normally dull rather than shiny like aluminium. Steel isn't a terribly valuable scrap metal and ranks fourth on the cash list, behind aluminium. Steel contains some iron.
5. Iron: Iron is usually black, but it may be a dark gray colour. It's quite heavy, and it's the least valuable of the scrap metals. Not all scrap metal collectors are willing to purchase iron, so check with your potential buyer. 

How Are The Scrap Metals Grouped Whilst You're Selling Them?

The scrap metal collectors will usually separate your scrap metals into two piles. In the first are all the metals with significant value. These include copper, brass, and aluminium—essentially all the non-ferrous (non-iron containing) metals. 

The second pile consists of the ferrous (containing iron) metals—usually steel and iron. The metals are easily separated with the use of a large magnet. Because iron is magnetic, all of the scrap metals which don't attach to the magnet are left in the "valuable" pile. With the iron-based metals out of the way, the more valuable scrap metals are then further divided into their specific types so they can be weighed.

Finally, you'll get an offer for your scrap metal based upon current market prices. Whilst you won't necessarily make a fortune from any scrap metals, you'll get some extra cash for something you're not using. You'll also get the bonus of recycling unwanted scraps into something brand new. Every metal, from high-end copper to bottom-of-the-barrel iron, has a use when recycled. Contact your local scrap metal collectors to learn more.