You are likely to find scrap metal around your home, whether you’re renovating or cleaning out the garage. You could find aluminum, broken appliances, door fixtures, and other scrap metal.
It is possible to turn your junk metal into money. But how profitable can such metals be? Here’s a list of six metals with high scrap yard values and where you can find them in your house.
- Copper
Copper is the preferred metal of seasoned scrappers. It is the most widely used household metal and it has the highest scrap yard prices. The global demand for copper is expected to reach 30 million tons by 2027.
Although scrap metal prices can fluctuate due to market trends, the quality of the copper you have will also affect the price. Copper can be easily obtained from older electrical appliances, plumbing and wiring, and cookware.
- Brass
Although brass is less expensive than copper, it is just as valuable. Brass is prized for its distinctive golden sheen and resistance to rust. You can find it in old metal objects that have brass components. However, you can also get it from vintage ornamental objects and bed frames.
- Stainless Steel
The fact that stainless steel contains around 10 percent of chromium drives up its value. This makes stainless steel more resistant to rust than iron-based metals. Stainless steel is therefore more valuable than ferrous scrap metal.
This metal is easy to find because of its chic sheen. It can be found on kitchen appliances, sinks, lighting elements and cookware. Clean stainless steel will sell for more than greasy stainless steel.
- Tin
Tin isn’t as widespread as other metals, but you can still find it. Tin is often used to protect and prevent rusting of other metals like copper or steel. Tin cans and tin-coated copper wiring are two examples. Tin can also be used to make cookware such as pans for baking or dishes for pie, due to its ability to withstand higher temperatures.
- Aluminium
Did you automatically think of soft drink cans? Contrary to popular belief there’s more to aluminum than just holding bubbly drinks. Aluminum is versatile, malleable and rust-resistant, which is why it is so expensive.
You can recycle old cans as well as old fencing, broken electronic devices, cookware, and bicycle frames.
- Cast Iron
Cast iron is not expensive, but it is one of the most heavy metals. Cast iron is expensive, but it can be very heavy so it’s worth hauling all your junk to the dump. Cast iron can be found in pans, griddles and pots. However, you also have the option to get it from old bathtubs and boilers.
When you look in the right places, you will be amazed at how much valuable metal is in your home. You can get the most value out of your scrap metal by making sure you separate them before you take them to a scrap yard. You won’t get a valuation based on the lowest-priced metal in your stockpile.
Are you a holder of any of these metals? We’d love to cash it in!
