All scrap metal is worth money, but there are definite differences in value between metals. The basic, general rule of thumb is that if it doesn’t stick to a magnet it’s worth more than if it does.
Metals that stick are generally, ferrous metals, or iron-based. Categories that we buy ranking from most valuable to the least include:
Cast Rotors and Hubs
Foundry grade milled steel – cut 18×24 and smaller
Prepared Steel – heavy and under 2×5 in size. Including tools, nails, equipment free of any oil-bearing pans/cylinders/rubber or any closed ends or containers, hardened steel cutoffs.
Unprepared Steel – heavy over 2×5 in size. Including machinery and equipment free of any fluid bearing pans/cylinders/rubber or closed ends or containers larger than 2×5, conveyors free of rollers, steel lengths, racking, etc.
Lite Iron – appliances that do not have freon or have an EPA sticker certifying proper removal of freon, household items, magnetic kitchen utensils, vacuum cleaners, basketball rims, etc
Machinery – full car or truck motors with pans removed, any steel with closed containers, rebar, hard to process steel
Loose wire – wire or mattress box springs free of any cloth or covering.
Steel pricing generally is set monthly and can always be found at https://recycleyourmetal.com/sell-metal/. Industrial customers can work with us on an established pricing formula so they know the value of the metal as the market changes each month.
Metal that does not stick to a magnet is considered non-ferrous and the list of items we accept and pay for are numerous. This list is not exhaustive and is generally in order of value, highest to lowest:
- Bare brite copper
- #1 Copper
- #2 Copper
- Sheet Copper
- Clean Copper Turnings
- High Nickel content stainless alloys
- Copper Aluminum Radiators
- Brass
- Insulated Copper wire
- Clean Brass Turnings
- Aluminum Extrusion
- Aluminum Siding
- Stainless Steel
- Cast Aluminum or Mixed Aluminum with low rubber or steel content
- Electric Motors
- Sealed Units
- Insulated Aluminum Wire
Zinc DiecastPrices for metal is updated periodically when the market moves. Non-ferrous pricing can change daily during highly volatile periods or can be unchanged for months. We always post our published pricing at https://recycleyourmetal.com/sell-metal/. Industrial customers can work with us on an established pricing formula so they know the value of the metal as the market changes daily.
