Getting paid fairly for scrap starts before stepping onto the yard. It starts with sorting. A tidy load tells the buyer you know what you have. That means fewer questions, faster service, and a better payout. The steps are simple. Learn what each metal is, keep it clean, and never mix grades in one bin. Do that, and the scale number will make sense when the truck pulls off.
Why sorting matters
Yards pay by metal type and grade. If mixed pieces go on the scale together, the whole pile gets priced at the lowest grade in the mix. That is where money goes missing. Sorting protects value. It also saves time for the person checking your load. Clear piles mean quick checks, quick tickets, and less back-and-forth. Everyone wins.
Meet the common metals
Most loads include a few regulars. Copper is the bright one that bends easily and carries power in wires and pipes. Brass is yellow, used in taps and fittings. Aluminium is pale and light, found in ladders and window frames. Steel is strong, often magnetic, and shows up in beams, tools, and appliances. Stainless steel looks shiny and does not rust fast. Lead is heavy and dull, often in old roofing or batteries (leave battery recycling to specialists).
Each of these has grades. Copper with no solder, paint, or fittings sits at the top. Burnt or dirty copper drops a level. Brass with steel screws mixed in takes a hit. Aluminium can be clean (extrusions with no screws or paint) or mixed (with clips, paint, or rubber). Stainless has different numbers based on nickel content. The rule is plain: the cleaner and purer the metal, the better the rate.
Simple ways to identify metals
A few quick checks work for most pieces.
Start with a magnet. If it sticks hard, you have a ferrous metal, usually steel or iron. If it does not stick, you might have copper, brass, aluminium, or stainless (some stainless is slightly magnetic on edges, so check more than one spot).
Look at the color. Bright orange-brown hints at copper. Yellow points to brass. Silvery-gray and light weight suggests aluminium. Silvery with a mirror sheen can be stainless. If the piece is painted, scratch a small spot to see the base.
Feel the weight. Aluminium is light. Brass and copper feel heavy for their size. Lead feels extra heavy and soft.
Listen to the sound when tapped together. Aluminium gives a soft clink. Steel rings. Brass has a deeper chime. This trick helps when pieces look similar.
Keep it clean and free of extras
Dirt, oil, rubber, plastic, paint, and solder all cut your rate. Remove screws, hinges, and gaskets. Strip fittings off copper pipes. Trim aluminium extrusions so they do not include steel plates or plastic strips. If removing a part takes too long or needs special tools, place that piece in a lower-grade bin on purpose. Getting a clean “No. 1” grade on some items often pays more than mixing everything into “dirty” grade.
Avoid burning off insulation or paint. It is unsafe and illegal in many places. Use hand tools instead. A basic pipe cutter, a set of screwdrivers, a magnet, and a marker do most of the work.
Separate and label before loading
Build a simple system that fits the space you have. Clear bins or stackable tubs work well. Label each one: “Bright copper,” “Copper 1,” “Brass,” “Aluminium extrusions,” “Aluminium mixed,” “Stainless,” “Steel.” Keep wires by gauge or type. Thick bare wire sits in a higher grade than thin, coated wire. When bins fill, tie a tag to each bundle so the label stays with it during transport.
On drop-off day, load your vehicle in sections. Put the highest-grade metal where it can be taken off first and weighed apart from lower grades. Keep mixed or “unsure” items together for a manual check.
Common mistakes that cost money
A few habits lead to short pay.
Mixing metals “just for one trip” is the top problem. That single choice drops the whole pile to a low grade. Another mistake is leaving attachments on. A steel screw in a brass tap changes the grade. Paint on aluminium frames, left untrimmed, turns extrusions into mixed scrap. Dirty copper with solder on the ends will not pass as “No. 1.” Also avoid guessing. If a piece is hard to place, set it aside for the yard to test rather than mixing it into a cleaner bin.
Timing and price basics
Scrap values move with supply and demand. Copper often pays more than steel because it is used in power, electronics, and building work. When construction and manufacturing are busy, prices tend to rise. When they slow, prices ease. Before a drop-off, checking current rates helps plan what to bring now and what to hold for later. For a quick reference, it helps to compare scrap metal prices from a trusted local source and use that as a guide for sorting and timing.
This is not about waiting months. It is about avoiding a same-day surprise. If prices moved this week, it makes sense to sort a bit tighter or bring the higher-grade bins first.
Smart storage that keeps grades high
Good storage keeps value. Moisture, dirt, and mixing are the enemies. Use covered bins or a dry corner of a shed. Keep copper and brass off the ground to prevent staining or corrosion. Bag sorted wire to stop it from tangling with other metals. For long pieces, use a simple rack made from timber or angle iron so each shelf holds only one metal type. Label shelves the same way as bins.
Weighing small bundles on a home scale helps track progress. Knowing the rough weight of each bin tells you when a trip makes sense. It also gives you a number to compare with the yard ticket later.
Wire and cable made easy
Insulated wire is common, and grades matter. Thick, bright, uncoated copper wire is top tier. Insulated wire pays based on the copper inside. Higher copper content means better pay. If stripping is safe and allowed, use a proper wire stripper. Do not use knives that can slip. Only strip when the wire is thick enough to make it worth the time. Thin cords often pay better when left insulated and sorted by type.
Keep data cables away from power cables. Keep thick building wire away from tiny appliance cords. Clear piles help the grader see the value right away.
Stainless, aluminium, and “tricky” bits
Stainless looks clean and modern, but not all stainless is the same. Some grades have more nickel, which can pay more. Without a tester, keep stainless separate from regular steel and let the yard confirm the grade. Aluminium has many forms: extrusions, sheet, cast, and beverage cans. Cast aluminium (engine parts, some furniture) often contains silicon and other elements, which lowers the rate compared to extrusions. Keep these forms apart.
As for “tricky” bits, think of items that mix materials by design—radiators, power supplies, or metal with rubber bonded to it. Separate what you can safely. If the parts will not come apart without special tools, place them in a mixed or “low grade” bin so you do not contaminate a high-grade bin.
Safety without drama
Gloves, safety glasses, and sturdy shoes prevent most injuries. Watch for sharp edges on sheet metal and broken wire strands. Lift with legs, not the back. Do not cut sealed containers that may hold pressure. Keep a first-aid kit and a magnet nearby. Clean the work area at the end of each sorting session so tripping hazards do not pile up.
What to do at the yard
Be clear and calm at the scale. Tell the grader what is in each bin before it is weighed. Ask for separate weights and grades to show on the ticket. If any item is downgraded, request the reason. A quick note helps fix the problem next time. Keep every ticket and match it with home records so the numbers tell a clean story over weeks and months.
Key takeaways and next steps
Sorting is the main lever you control. Know your metals, keep them clean, and never mix grades. Use a magnet, a quick scratch check, and weight in the hand to tell look-alike pieces apart. Label bins, load in sections, and track weights so drop-off day is smooth. A short price check before leaving the driveway helps set the plan. With these habits, every trip becomes faster, clearer, and fairer—and the scale will show it.