How to Maximise the Value of Your Scrap Metal
Scrap metal recycling is a quick, easy and environmentally-friendly way to make a profit on your unwanted scrap.But what are the best options for selling scrap metal to get the highest price? We’ve shortlisted a few of our top tips for how to maximise the value of your scrap metal below.
What are the best options for selling scrap metal to get the highest price?
To get the highest price when selling your scrap metal, the best options include:
- Sorting your scrap metal before recycling
- Removing non-metal attachments
- Keeping an eye on supply & demand
- Saving up scrap to bulk-sell
How can I prepare scrap metal for recycling to maximise value?
Sorting and cleaning your scrap metal is the best way to maximise its value. Here’s how to do it:
- Separate the ferrous from the non-ferrous: Use the magnet test to separate valuable scrap metals (non-ferrous scrap) from less valuable ones (ferrous scrap). Top tip: If the metal is attracted to the magnet, it’s ferrous.
- Categorise your non-ferrous scrap: Contaminating higher-value, non-ferrous scrap with cheaper metals will decrease your profit. E.g. Keep copper and brass separate from their cheaper counterparts – nickel, tin and titanium.
- Remove non-metal attachments: Plastic, rubber, paint and oily residue are just some of the many non-metal attachments that will need to be cleaned off/removed in order to maximise the value of your scrap metal. This is because they all affect which grade it will be classified as (i.e. how pure it is).
How does supply and demand affect scrap metal prices?
Supply and demand is the primary driver of scrap metal prices. Here’s how it works:
| Supply | Demand | Prices |
| High | Low | Low |
| Low | High | High |
When the demand from relevant industries is high, but the supply is low, prices will rise. If there’s an oversupply or demand has decreased, prices will drop.
High demand is often fuelled by increased industrial activity from construction and manufacturing industries, while low demand can be a result of economic downturns. Supply can be affected by large-scale demolition projects or global shipping disruptions.
Read our recent blog for more information on how scrap metal prices are determined.
Does bulk-selling scrap metal maximise profit?
Yes – if you have a large and clean enough storage space to keep your materials in, we would highly recommend stockpiling scrap metal for a higher per-unit payout.
Naturally, the more scrap you have, the heavier your weigh-in will be, which can result in a bigger profit. However, the type and grade of metal can also affect the final price, so always stockpile clean, pure, non-ferrous scrap for the best results.
But that’s not the only reason bulk-selling makes a good profit. Weighing-in big piles of scrap reduces our processing costs per kilogram, which means a higher number on your final ticket.
Weigh-it-in with KAS
Now you know how to maximise the value of your scrap metal, why not visit our local scrap yard to turn your waste into profit?
We offer:
✅ The very best prices, always based on the London Metal Exchange (LME)
✅ Fast turnarounds, allowing you to get back to what you do best
✅ Same-day payments (before 4pm) via cheques, bank transfers or our very own pre-paid card method
Give us a call, email or visit our local scrap metal yard at M46 0RY today. Based in Atherton, our scrap metal merchants can also service the following locations:
- Astley
- Bolton
- Chorley
- Lancashire
- Leigh
- Manchester
- Preston
- Salford
- Tyldesley
- Westhoughton
- Wigan
- Worsley
Does rust affect the value of my scrap metal?
Yes, you’ll get a much higher price if you’re able to remove the rust on your metal before your trip to the scrap yard.
Surface-level rust should be fairly easy to remove, but black or pitted rust will require a more vigorous cleaning technique. Always use anti-corrosion applications and store your scrap metal in a dry place to prevent rust.
Do scrap yards pay more for larger loads?
Yes, scrap yards often pay more for larger loads due to there being less processing required on their end.
But it is worth noting that not all scrap yards offer the same rates. To check whether you’re dealing with a reputable buyer, always check they are licensed by searching the public register on the government website.
Which tools make it easier to maximise the value of my scrap metal?
If you need to (for example) extract pure copper from leftover wiring, test whether a metal is ferrous or not, or remove non-metal attachments, our scrap metal merchants would recommend the following tools:
- Wire strippers
- Magnets
- Metal cutters
