What Are the Most Valuable Non-Precious Scrap Metals?

When many people think of valuable metals, precious metals like gold, silver and platinum will often come to mind. However, in the world of metal recycling, value can also be found in non-precious materials. Many metals are sold at a significant value when scrapped, prices that are often derived from the widespread usage, recyclability and ongoing demand for material within various industries. It's important to note that scrap metal pricing constantly fluctuates, governed not only by market demand but by the purity and the cost of energy required for recycling, as well. That said, there are some consistently high-performing scrap metals that tend to hold their value. What are they?

Copper

Firstly, copper holds a significant value in the scrap metal sector due to its electrical conductivity and malleability. It is also known for its resistance to corrosion. Widely used in plumbing, electrical wiring and electronics, copper is always in demand. As such, it constitutes one of the most lucrative non-precious metals when recycled.

Aluminium

Light in weight yet strong, aluminium is also durable and highly resistant to corrosion. Aluminium is heavily used for construction industry products, such as window frames, as well as for packaging, notably in drink cans. The lightweight nature of the metal also means it is highly prized by the aerospace industries which rely on it a great deal. While it may not be as valuable per kilo as copper, the sheer volume of aluminium scrap from consumer sources makes it noteworthy when you take the scrap metal market as a whole into account.

Brass

An alloy made from copper and zinc, brass also ranks highly in terms of scrap value. The durability and aesthetic appeal of this metal makes it a popular choice for various products, including many decorative items. It can also be used for pipes and musical instruments which will look as good as new, even if they've been manufactured from recycled sources. Note that the value of scrap brass tends to relate to the proportion of copper it contains. Generally speaking, greater copper content results in higher valuations.

Stainless Steel

Another alloy, this time produced from a blend of iron, nickel and chromium, stainless steel is another valuable non-precious scrap metal. More valued than conventional steel, which can also be recycled, stainless grades are known for their resistance to rust. The price of scrap stainless steel is typically determined by its nickel content since this is the most valuable component with higher grades of the metal containing more of it.

Reach out to a scrap metal recycling service near you to learn more.