How to Sell Scrap Metal in the UK

What Scrap Metal Can You Sell?

Almost any metal item can be sold to a scrap yard. The most common items people sell include:

• Copper ... pipe, wire, cable, hot water cylinders, boiler parts
• Aluminium ... window frames, car wheels, engine blocks, guttering, drinks cans
• Steel and iron ... washing machines, fridges, radiators, gates, fencing, car parts
• Brass ... taps, door handles, pipe fittings, keys, decorative items
• Lead ... roof flashing, old pipes, car batteries
• Stainless steel ... sinks, catering equipment, handrails
• Cable ... electrical cable with copper inside (twin-and-earth, armoured, data cable)

Items like old boilers, radiators, and plumbing from renovation work often contain a mix of copper, brass, and steel. Separating the metals before selling gets you a significantly better price.

Most Valuable Scrap Metals

Not all metals are worth the same. Here is a rough ranking from most to least valuable per kg:

1. Copper (£5-8/kg) ... the most valuable common scrap metal. Even small amounts are worth selling.
2. Brass (£3-5/kg) ... valuable because it contains copper. Taps, fittings, and valves.
3. Stainless steel (£0.40-1.00/kg) ... worth more than regular steel due to nickel content.
4. Lead (£1.00-1.50/kg) ... heavy and valuable. Even a small piece weighs a lot.
5. Aluminium (£0.50-1.50/kg) ... light but common. Need volume for it to be worthwhile.
6. Zinc (£0.50-0.90/kg) ... die-cast items, roofing sheet.
7. Steel and iron (£0.10-0.30/kg) ... lowest value but highest volume. Priced per tonne.

Use our scrap metal calculator to get an instant estimate for any metal and grade.

How to Identify Scrap Metal Types

Knowing what metal you have is the first step to getting the right price. Here are simple tests:

• Magnet test ... if a magnet sticks, it is steel or iron. Copper, brass, aluminium, lead, and stainless steel (304/316) are all non-magnetic.
• Colour ... copper is reddish-orange. Brass is yellow. Aluminium is light silver. Lead is dark grey and very heavy. Steel is dark silver.
• Weight ... lead is extremely heavy for its size. Aluminium is very light. Copper and brass are in between.
• Sound ... aluminium makes a high-pitched ring when tapped. Lead makes a dull thud. Steel rings clearly.
• Scratch test ... scratch the surface. Copper shows bright orange underneath. Brass shows yellow. Chrome-plated steel shows grey under the shiny surface.

When in doubt, most scrap yards will identify your metal for free when you arrive. But knowing before you go means you can check that their price is fair.

Where to Sell Scrap Metal

There are roughly 2,700-3,000 licensed scrap metal dealers across the UK. Here is how to find one:

• Google Maps ... search "scrap yard near me" or "scrap metal dealer" and your town name. Check reviews and opening hours.
• Compare prices ... call 2-3 yards before driving. Prices can vary 10-20% between yards in the same area. Check our price pages for current averages.
• Check licensing ... all scrap metal dealers in England and Wales must hold a licence from their local council. Ask to see it if you are unsure about a yard.
• Collection services ... many yards offer free collection for large quantities (typically 500kg+). Useful for house clearances and renovation projects.

Major UK scrap metal companies include EMR (60+ sites), Ward Recycling (12+ sites), and S Norton. But independent yards often pay better prices for walk-in customers.

How Scrap Metal Prices Work

Scrap metal prices are driven by the London Metal Exchange (LME), where metals like copper, aluminium, zinc, lead, and nickel are traded globally. UK scrap yards set their buy prices as a percentage of the LME spot price, with a discount that covers their processing costs and margin.

For example, if LME copper is £9.26/kg, a yard might pay £7.00-7.50/kg for bright copper wire (about 80-85% of LME). The discount depends on:

• Grade ... cleaner, purer metal gets a higher percentage. Contaminated metal gets a steep discount.
• Volume ... trade customers bringing tonnes get better rates than someone with 5kg.
• Region ... yards near ports (London, Liverpool, Southampton) pay more because they have cheaper export routes.
• Market conditions ... when demand is high, yards narrow their discounts to attract more metal.

Prices change daily. Always check current prices before making a journey. Our live price pages show daily averages from yards across the UK.

How to Get the Best Price for Your Scrap

1. Separate your metals. Never mix copper with brass, or aluminium with steel. A mixed load gets priced at the lowest metal's rate. Ten minutes of sorting can double your payout.
2. Clean your metal. Remove plastic, rubber, insulation, screws, and bolts. "Clean" copper is worth 20-30% more than "dirty" copper with attachments.
3. Know your grades. Bright copper wire is worth twice as much as household cable. Learn the grades for the metals you are selling. Our copper prices page explains all grades.
4. Weigh before you go. Know what you have so you can verify the yard's scales. Bathroom scales work for small quantities.
5. Call ahead. Confirm the yard's current price before loading your van. Prices on websites may not always be up to date.
6. Shop around. Call 2-3 yards. The difference between the best and worst price in the same city can be 15-20%.
7. Strip cable selectively. Strip cable with 50%+ copper content (singles, 6mm twin-and-earth). Don't bother stripping data cable or armoured cable. The time isn't worth it.
8. Build up volume. Small trips aren't efficient. Collect scrap over time and sell in larger batches. Some yards pay better rates above certain weight thresholds.

Scrap Metal Laws UK

The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 regulates the scrap metal industry in England and Wales. Key points for sellers:

• No cash payments. Since 2013, scrap yards cannot pay you in cash. Payment must be by bank transfer, cheque, or prepaid card. Any yard offering cash is operating illegally.
• Photo ID required. You must show a valid photo ID (passport or driving licence) at every visit. The yard must record your name, address, and a description of the metal.
• Vehicle details recorded. If you drive to the yard, they will record your vehicle registration number.
• Dealer licensing. All scrap metal dealers must hold a licence from their local council. There are two types: site licence (for fixed yards) and collector's licence (for mobile collectors).
• Records kept for 3 years. Yards must keep records of every transaction and make them available to police on request.

In Scotland, scrap metal dealing is regulated under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act with similar provisions. Northern Ireland has separate regulations.

These rules exist to combat metal theft, which costs the UK economy hundreds of millions of pounds per year. Legitimate sellers have nothing to worry about. Just bring your ID and a bank card.

What to Bring to the Scrap Yard

• Photo ID (passport or driving licence)
• Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement) ... some yards ask for this on first visit
• Bank card or bank details for payment
• Your metal, separated by type
• An idea of the weight and current price, so you can check the offer

Is It Worth Scrapping?

Quick guide to whether common items are worth the trip:

• Old boiler ... yes. Contains copper heat exchanger, brass valves. Worth £20-50 in scrap.
• Copper cylinder ... yes. 10-15kg of copper. Worth £50-80.
• Car battery ... yes. Worth £3-5 per battery. Most yards accept them.
• Old radiators (central heating) ... yes if copper/brass. Steel panel radiators have low value.
• Washing machine ... barely. Light iron pricing (£15-25 per machine). Only worth it if you are already going.
• Aluminium cans ... only in bulk. You need hundreds of cans to make a worthwhile amount.
• Copper pipe from a bathroom refit ... yes. Even 2-3kg of copper pipe is worth £15-25.
• Old electrical cable ... yes if you have 5kg+. Household cable is worth £2-3/kg.

Use our calculator to check the exact value of your scrap before making a journey.