When most people think of brass, they picture a shiny doorknob or a trumpet—but there’s much more to this durable alloy than meets the eye. With the rising demand for recycled materials, it is essential to understand the value of different types of brass, which can often be found in everyday items around your home.
In this blog post, we'll take a look at 10 different types of brass you can recycle, what to look for, how to prepare your brass for recycling, and how to maximize your scrap brass value while helping to protect the planet.
Brass is an alloy made primarily of copper and zinc. It's known for its durability, corrosion resistance, and attractive gold-like appearance, making it popular in various applications. The unique properties of brass allow it to be molded, shaped, and finished into numerous forms, from plumbing fixtures to musical instruments. When it comes to recycling, brass is valuable, as it retains a relatively high scrap price, making it a worthwhile metal to recycle.
Most common. Easy to identify. High recycling value.
Yellow brass, what most people recognize as “classic brass,” is characterized by its bright gold color and contains about 60% copper and 40% zinc. You can commonly find this type of brass in plumbing fixtures, door hardware, and musical instruments. Its shiny appearance makes it appealing not just for crafting but also for recycling. Because of its wide availability and clean composition, it’s one of the most valuable and recyclable forms of brass. When recycling yellow brass, be sure to separate it from other metals to fetch a higher scrap price.
High copper content = high value.
Red brass, often referred to as "gunmetal," has a distinctive reddish tint and is composed of approximately 85% copper along with tin and lead. This type of brass is primarily used in marine fittings and some plumbing applications. The higher copper content adds to its value, making red brass pieces ideal candidates for recycling. Keep in mind that the presence of lead means pay close attention when handling this material during the recycling process.
Highly recyclable.
Designed explicitly for ammunition casings, cartridge brass is made up of about 70% copper and 30% zinc. It's renowned for its strength and malleability, making it easy to shape for various applications. It's a popular material for recycling due to its use in fasteners and shell casings.
A budget-friendly version of red brass with similar properties.
Semi-red brass provides a cost-effective alternative to red brass while retaining many of its useful properties. With a composition of approximately 80% copper, 10% zinc, 5% tin, and trace amounts of other elements, this type of brass is often used when cost is a concern, making its recycling essential for both financial and environmental reasons.
Engineered for corrosion resistance in marine environments.
Admiralty brass is specifically designed for saltwater environments. This brass has tin added to its copper-zinc mix, which increases its corrosion resistance. It’s commonly used in the production of marine fittings and condenser tubes. Its durable qualities not only make it valuable when in use but also when it's recycled. Notably, this type of brass has almost equal parts copper and zinc, giving it value on the recycling market.
A catch-all category for non-contaminated brass varieties.
Mixed brass includes a combination of various brass compositions, such as castings, rolled brass, rod brass, and tubing. While it may not hold the same specific value as pure forms of brass, mixed brass is still a viable option for recycling. Clean mixed brass can be recycled, provided it's free from contaminants like manganese-bronze, aluminum bronze, or radiator parts.
Often found in older vehicles and HVAC systems.
Brass radiators, especially those containing both copper and brass components, offer another opportunity for recycling brass. Removing these fittings from older heating systems can yield good returns in scrap value. Be sure to check your home for old radiators or plumbing upgrades when considering recyclable materials. If separated properly, the brass content can be recycled along with other valuable metals like copper.
Ammunition casings are one of the cleanest brass sources.
Ammunition shells are primarily made from cartridge brass, making them ideal for recycling. Whether you've got spent shells from a shooting range or are cleaning out a workshop, collecting these materials ensures they are recycled responsibly. Understanding the recycling process for brass shells is critical, as they should always be handled safely and securely.
Small scraps, big opportunity.
Turnings and borings are small metal scraps, think tiny shavings or spirals of metal, generated from machining processes, making them less recognizable than less common forms of scrap. However, they still hold value. Gathering brass scraps can lead to additional recycling income, so be diligent about saving and recycling all metal materials. These are common in CNC shops, plumbing fabricators, and industrial repair centers.
Still recyclable—but at a lower rate.
Dirty brass includes any type contaminated with paint, oil, or other metals. While it's the least valuable among the brass types, recycling dirty brass still matters. Depending on the recycling facility, they may accept dirty brass at a lower price. Aim to clean it as thoroughly as possible to improve its value.
While you may be excited to turn your scrap into cash, preparation is crucial for maximizing your earnings. Here are a few tips on how to get your brass ready for recycling:
Recycling metals like brass has a substantial impact on waste reduction and energy conservation. The energy required to produce new brass from raw materials is significantly greater than that required to repurpose existing brass. By recycling brass, we decrease harmful emissions and save vital resources.
As you can see, there are many different types of brass available for recycling, each providing its unique value. Understanding the different brass categories can empower you to make informed decisions when collecting scrap materials. Whether you find brass in plumbing fixtures or CNC machine scraps, every piece can be turned into cash while promoting environmental sustainability.
If you're ready to turn your scrap brass metal into cash, visit us today or call us about our container services.
