All scrap metals have value when it comes to supporting efficient, environmentally sustainable practices. But when it comes to market value, which scrap metal comes out on top? Are those old metal pipes in the shed worth something? What about the wiring from that fridge that stopped working years ago?Here are the top contenders for the most valuable scrap metals; the ones you should look out for, and the ones that will get you the most money at your local metal scrap yard.

If you’ve ever left an old appliance out on the street for council pickup and found it stripped of any copper overnight, there’s a reason why. Copper is one of the most valuable scrap metals around, as it’s used in a wide range of industries, including electrical wiring, plumbing, and construction. Being highly conductive, durable and resistant to corrosion, scrap copper remains one of the most valuable scrap metals per kilo: as of April 2023, copper was priced at $10 per kilo.

You can find brass all over the place if you know where to look. If you can shine up an object to look gold, but you know it’s not physically made of gold, chances are it’s made out of brass. Brass can be used ornamentally, such as in door knobs and bed frames, and is valued to its durability and aesthetic look. As of April 2023, you can expect around $10.40 per kilo for brass scrap metal.

Aluminium is highly recyclable and also valuable due to the fact that it has so many applications. From aircraft bodies to soft drink cans, aluminium is actually eternally recyclable. It’s also lightweight, strong, and resistant to corrosion. As of April 2023, aluminium is priced at around $3.50 per kilo, making it a worthwhile metal to bring to a scrap yard since it’s so abundant to begin with.

An alloy of iron, chromium, and other elements, stainless steel is valued for its strength, durability, and resistance to corrosion. It’s commonly used in the manufacturing of appliances, kitchen utensils, and medical equipment, and of course is used liberally across the construction industry. Because of this, stainless steel may be seen as less valuable – however due to the fact that it’s an alloy, different grades of stainless steel can fetch different prices at the scrap yard. For example, 330 stainless steel will fetch you around $7 per kilo, whilst lesser stainless steel scrap yields a lot less money.

A silvery-white metal that’s valued for its resistance to corrosion and high melting point, nickel is commonly used in the manufacturing of stainless steel, batteries, and electrical wiring. It’s also among the most valuable scrap metals, fetching around $30 per kilo as of April 2023. It’s not particularly easy to come across, but you may find it in batteries, electroplated objects, and within any material that uses alloys extensively.

Lead can be quite valuable but, similar to nickel, difficult to get a hold of in the form of a non-ferrous metal. Pure lead is also very toxic, so if you do plan to scrap it, be sure to use the necessary precautions so as not to contaminate your surroundings. Lead is also quite heavy, making it difficult to transport – however, the value of lead may make it worth the effort.

Not many of us have a lot of these metals lying around to scrap, and not every metal scrap yard will accept them. However, in terms of pure value, gold, silver and platinum can fetch you a high price. These precious metals are prized for their beauty, and are used in many ways from the manufacturing of jewellery through to electronics and currency. Some research will be required to remove these precious parts from electronics and other sources, however the return you will get from turning these scrap metals into cash is likely to earn you quite a bit of money.

If you have copper, brass, or a range of other metals you wish to scrap, get in touch with Elite Recyclers. We can let you know which metals we recycle, their value, and can put the scrap to good use!