Can I get money for scrap metal?

Are you wondering “how much is scrap metal worth” and if you can get decent money for the scrap metal you have sitting around your backyard? The answer is yes, your local scrap metal merchant will happily pay cash for scrap metal.

Not all scrap metal is worth cash though. Metals that do attract payment include:

• Steel
• Copper
• Aluminium
• Stainless steel
• Brass
• Lead
• Gun metals
• And some items, such as car batteries and whitegoods.

These are some scrap metal items that cannot be recycled. Materials that contain asbestos, CFCs and unclean metals cannot be recycled.

If you’re not sure what metals you can sell, it’s best to contact your local scrap metal merchants to find out more about what they do and don’t accept.

Scrap metal prices

So what are scrap metal prices in Australia? Metal prices fluctuate all the time. If you want to sell scrap metal, check a current scrap metal prices chart for price per kilo, or simply ask your local scrap metal yard for their rates. It’s easy to find a scrap metal price list online with up-to-date values by the kilo.

What affects scrap metal prices?

Metal prices are dependent on their condition and the weight of the metal. Copper prices will also depend on whether you are recycling copper wire, insulated wire or sheeting. Steel scrap price varies as well.

Most scrap metal dealers will ask that the scrap metals be separated into various types, and many will only pay cash for scrap metal if it’s over 500kgs. Both ferrous, or magnetic, and non-ferrous metals will be accepted, but again, separation is requested. If you don’t have over 500kgs of metal to sell, don’t fret – most scrap metal yards will allow dumping or will collect your scrap metal for no cost.

For more information about scrap metal recycling, search for your local scrap metal yard on Yellow Pages.