Common Misconceptions of Scrap Metals

Posted: November 23, 2020


There’s a lot of material out there and I’m going to help give you a better idea of how to prepare your metals when bringing them to Rockaway Recycling (or any scrap yard).

Copper Is Priced Equally

First and foremost we’ll start out with copper. There are 3 general classifications; number 1, number 2 and number 3. Number 1 being either stripped copper cable (ex: 750MCM) or clean copper pipe.  So get out the sawzalls and pipe cutters and get those soldered fittings off. Number 2 being any pipe with fittings, paint, solder, oil lines, or tinned copper cable. Number 3 being used/weathered roof flashing. You can improve your number 3 by removing any heavy tar or galvanized nails.scrap #2 copper tubing

All Brass Is Worth A Lot

Onto the brass. Try and remove any heavy steel or iron handles from the shut-off valves if present. Also, there is a good amount of bronze in the plumbing world but also some stipulations when it comes to scrap. The way to tell the difference between brass and bronze is the color. Standard brass is a very yellow color and bronze being a sort of rusty red color.  We here at “The Rock” require any bronze to be free of foreign material (ex: steel handles, rubber gaskets or plastic stoppers). So if you have the means to process the bronze materials I would suggest it for a nice price bump on the material.

scrap metal brass

Taking Out Honeycomb from Catalytic Converters

As far as misconceptions go, there are quite a few. I’m only going to name a few for the sake of time and reading. The first is with catalytic converters. A lot of people think taking the platinum out gets them more cash. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. The shape of the converter itself tells us the make of the item which therefore determines price so loose material is a flat rate for it generally looks all the same.

SELL CATALYTIC CONVERTERS

 

Televisions Are Worth A Lot in Scrap Value

Another being TV’s or monitors. There is very little metal in them so there’s no big value. And last but not least is the recyclables most scrap yards do not accept. Most people see the word “recycling” in a company’s name and think they can bring all recyclables. Scrap yards are in the business to both recycle metal and for a profit obviously. That means the papers, bottles, plastics and other recyclables should go to your local municipal yard.

Rockaway Recycling does NOT take Televisions, Monitors, or LCD Screens.

CHECK SCRAP PRICES

Contact Us With Any Questions on Pricing: