You may have heard of the scrap industry and how, if you have certain items you need to get rid of, you could arrange for a scrapyard to take them off your hands. But did you know that you can expect to be paid for the items you drop off? What’s even more exciting is that a lot of the items you’re likely to find lying about your house gathering dust could, in fact, prove very valuable to scrap. So, whether you’re moving house or just rooting through old stuff that you no longer use, why not find out which items you should throw and which you could take to the scrapyard? Read on to find out.

Kitchenware

Copper, aluminium, iron and stainless steel are all extremely valuable materials that can be found in your kitchen. Many pans are made from an alloy of steel, nickel, chromium and other metals, all of which are much sought after. Old kettles may be made from copper, and cutlery, kitchen knives and other implements are likely to contain stainless steel.

Electronics

Most people are aware that a large number of electrical items contain copper. It generally takes the form of wire, but computers also contain considerable amounts in circuit boards, sockets and many other elements. You also might be surprised to discover the quantity of nickel, gold and silver that is often used in electronics and computers, all of which are valuable.

Tools

Garden, metalworking, construction and woodworking tools commonly contain steel or stainless steel, all of which you can sell on to a scrapyard. It’s important to make sure that these items are properly cleaned and that any signs of rust or erosion are removed beforehand. Anything that is too badly damaged by rust or oxidisation may not be accepted by a scrapyard, so you need to prepare it all thoroughly.

Ornaments, Fittings and Decor

Copper, iron, steel, lead and a wide variety of other metals are regularly used in the design of household artwork like sculptures and figurines as well as features such as lamps, clocks, door handles, latches and locks and much more besides. Don’t forget to take a look at your garden ornaments and outdoor furniture too.

Automotive

If you’ve got an old broken down car or motorbike that you’re considering selling for parts, it may also be worth considering whether the elements would be better dismantled and sold as scrap at a scrapyard. Vehicles often contain large amounts of valuable copper and steel, and, depending on the make and model, much more besides.

Pipes, Wires and Guttering

We’ve mentioned that copper wiring is great to recycle, but copper can also be found in water pipes and other hidden elements throughout your home. Other items you may not even know exist within your home include lead guttering, which is notoriously valuable due to its durability and resistance to corrosion. Like copper and aluminium, lead can be melted down and reshaped over and over again without losing its versatility or any of its other characteristics.

I’ve Got a Lot of Stuff to Get Rid of – What Do I Do?

If you’ve looked through your home and found lots of bits and pieces that you’re interested in scrapping, the next step is to get it to a trusted dealer. Depending on the amount, you may be able to take it in your own vehicle. It’s very important to divide your metals into categories before you take it to the scrapyard. You should divide it by ferrous and non-ferrous, then again by type (copper, iron, aluminium etc). If this is not done, you may not be paid as much due to the additional work required.

Where Should I Take My Scrap?

It’s easiest for you to take your metals to a scrapyard nearby, but we recommend that you first look into the company to ensure that they are trustworthy and will offer you the best possible price. The market value of different types of metal tends to fluctuate regularly, so it’s important that whoever you hand over your scrap to is honest and happy to give you the correct amount for what you’ve brought in.

The team at Maxilead Metals can look back over more than 30 years of experience within the scrap industry, and we always make sure that our relationship with our customers is honest and friendly. We want to continue working with you, so we will always give you the best price for what you bring to us. Contact us today via 0161 790 5105 for a chat with our knowledgeable team.