How To Sort Your Scrap Metal

If you have been trying to collect scrap to sell on to dealers or it’s something you have been thinking about doing, you will need to ensure that you properly sort through the metal and keep each type together. This will make it easier for the dealer to weigh and pay you and it will also make it easier for you to know how much scrap you currently have for each type of metal.

First, you will need to get your hands onto six old bins or boxes that are of a considerable size. You should label them ‘aluminium’, ‘iron’, ‘stainless steel’, ‘car batteries’, ‘copper’ and ‘brass’ – make sure that these labels are clear and obvious. The scrap metals you find will fit into one of these bins.

Car batteries, contrary to popular belief, are 100% recyclable, and they have their own bin because the scrap metals do not need to be separated before sale – the dealers will pay you a lump sum per battery and do the separation themselves.

Ensure that you properly check each item of scrap before assigning it to a bin or cardboard box – scrap metal dealers have keen eyes and will immediately pick out items that you have forgotten or miss-binned. A quick way remember this is that dull silver is aluminium, magnetic shiny silver iron, and non-magnetic shiny silver is stainless steel. Copper and brass scrap is easy to spot, as it is red and gold in colour, respectively.

By sorting your scrap metals from the moment you collect them, you will save yourself a lot of time down the track. Not only will you be able to estimate how much your various scrap bins are worth at any given time, you will be loved by the scrap dealers who won’t have to do the sorting themselves.

Which Scrap Metals Are Worth The Most?

When it comes to scrap metal, a lot of people don’t realize how much it is worth so cannot be bothered selling it on to a scrap dealer. Whilst a single can or piece of tubing is not worth very much, it is important to remember that scrap dealers pay based on weight – not the amount of metal you are bringing in.

Copper

That reddish metal that you commonly see around the house is generally worth more than any other type of scrap, depending on its quality. You can find it in household tubing, such as plumbing and wiring.

Brass

This yellow metal is generally the next highest paying scrap that you can collect. It is found in plumbing fittings, sink drains and fixtures and even doorknobs.

Aluminium

This scrap metal looks very similar to magnesium, but it can be easy to tell the difference – simply take a flame to the metal’s surface; if it ignites, it’s magnesium. Aluminium is also worth more per kilogram than magnesium.

Stainless Steel

This scrap metal is reasonably heavy, meaning you have to collect less in order to raise a profit. It is, however, the third least profitable metal to sell. You can find it in car trim, hubcaps and beer kegs.

Lead

This scrap metal is also fairly heavy, allowing you to sell less items to make some money off it. Even so, it is the second least profitable of all scrap when it comes to selling to a dealer. It is common in piping and fishing sinkers.

Iron

To find out whether your scrap metal is iron, place a magnet on it; if it sticks, you have yourself some iron. Whilst it is very heavy, it is also the least profitable metal and is commonly found in cars and pipes.