Whether you’re tackling a small DIY project, a major home renovation, or a cleaning project, you’re bound to end up with piles of leftover materials or items to throw away - many of them containing metal. Instead of letting those discarded metal items go to waste or paying for a large item pickup, did you know you can turn them into earnings? Scrap metal recycling offers a great way to earn money for things like old microwaves, washers, dryers, stoves, and cast iron bathtubs while contributing to sustainability by reducing waste. This guide will show you how to find high-value scrap metal around your home. 

Identifying Scrap Metal in Your Home

During any home improvement project or even while cleaning out your garage, you’ll likely come across various forms of scrap metal in everyday items worth money at a metal recycling center. 

During a renovation, you may replace old plumbing pipes, electrical wiring, metal fixtures, hot water heaters, and appliances. And while cleaning out your garage or basement, you might have old rakes and shovels, a broken leaf blower, a wagon your child outgrew, old vehicle rims, or broken phones. These items may look like junk, but they’re often made from valuable metals such as steel, aluminum, copper, and brass, which can be turned into money for scrap metal. Landfills charge by weight or by load, and it can cost hundreds of dollars to drop off loads of large items. Instead, you can get paid for a scrap metal drop off.

Here are some common examples of everyday items that contain recyclable metal that you may not have known:

• Bicycles
• Grills
• Garage shelving
• Filing cabinets
• Office chairs
• Aluminum window frames or gutters
• Stainless steel appliances
• Cast iron from old radiators or sinks

Once you know what to look for, you can sort your metals into different types, take them to a metal recycling drop off center, and get paid for your items. For more tips, read our guide on the metal identification process. 

Valuable Metals We Pay Top Prices For

Not all metals are created equal, and some types bring in more value than others. At our facility, we pay competitive prices for a wide range of metals, helping you get the most money for scrap metal during your renovation. Here are some of the most valuable types of scrap metal you might find during your renovation:

Steel

Steel is one of the most common materials you can find around your home, especially during a renovation project. Your home improvement project may produce waste items including metal roofing, washers, dryers, hot water heaters, window bars, fencing, stair railing, and even bed frames. You can recycle these large pieces of steel, as well as smaller items like doorknobs, nails and screws. Steel is a versatile metal that brings in consistent returns.

Aluminum

Aluminum is a lightweight but strong metal used in construction and household items. You might find aluminum in old window frames, screen doors, and some gutters. If you aren’t sure, try using a magnet. If it sticks, it’s not aluminum and is likely steel. Soda cans, disposable cooking trays or takeout trays, and many sports bottles are also made out of aluminum. Because aluminum is used in many applications, it can quickly add up, making it worth collecting and bringing to a metal scrap yard. 

Copper

Copper is one of the highest-value scrap metals. Renovations of old homes typically reveal a lot of copper in the form of old wiring, plumbing pipes, and less commonly, some roofing materials. Stripping copper wires before recycling can further increase their value, except for insulated copper wire. You don’t need to strip insulation. The easiest and safest way to expose the copper in wires is to use wire strippers with notches that match the gauge of your wires.

Brass

Brass is commonly found in household fixtures and hardware. Keep an eye out for brass fittings in light fixtures and decorative hardware such as cabinet or drawer handles and hinges. Old faucets, especially in bathrooms or kitchens, can also contain brass components. 

Brass used to be very popular for decorative accents, so you might also find it in lamps, chandeliers, curtain rods, and candlesticks. It's a great metal to recycle and can bring in a good return. 

Cast Iron

Heavy but valuable, cast iron is a key material in scrap metal recycling. If you are renovating your bathroom or heating system, look for cast iron by using a magnet. Often, old bathtubs thought to be porcelain are actually cast iron. If a magnet sticks, it’s cast iron. It is very common in older homes, often found in radiators, sinks, decorative grates for air vents, ornamental railings, and old hardware like door knobs, drawer pulls, and hinges. Even cast iron cookware can add to your haul.

Specialty Metals

Due to their rarity, specialty metals like titanium can also be highly valuable. Titanium is used in golf club heads, sometimes in high-performance bicycle frames, laptops, cell phones, and some specialty tools and drill bits that may incorporate titanium components.

By knowing what types of metal you have and where to find them, you can maximize the return on your renovation or clean-out project scrap instead of paying to drop it off or have it picked up. 

How to Get Paid For Your Metal

The process of getting money for scrap metal is easier than you think. Here’s how it works:

• Drive in and Weigh In: Drive in, stop on one of our state-certified scales, and our team will help you get your scrap weighed and sorted. 
• Unload with Assistance: We make unloading easy. Our team will show you where to go and help you unload, whether you have a bag of cans or a truck full of metal.
• Get Paid: After weighing and sorting the metal, we’ll pay you on the spot. You can choose between an on-site ATM, check, or account credit - whichever works best for you.  

With our 22-acre facility, multiple scales, and dedicated receiving docks, we’re ready to handle any load, large or small. 

Tips for Maximizing the Scrap Metal Value

Want to get the most money for scrap metal? Follow these simple tips to ensure you maximize the scrap metal value of what you bring in:

• Sort Your Metals: If you can, separate your metals before coming in. Sorting metals by kind can lead to faster processing and better prices.
• Know What Can Be Recycled: Items such as used barrels, refrigerators with Freon, recliners, box springs, TVs, computer monitors, and oil filters can’t be recycled at our facility. Here is a detailed list of prohibited items.
• Check Scrap Metal Pricing: Keep an eye out on the current prices for metals like copper and aluminum, as market fluctuations can impact the amount of money you receive for your scrap. We offer up-to-the-minute pricing for scrap metal recycling.

Whether you’re working on a home improvement project or an industrial renovation, our facility has everything you need for a smooth, efficient recycling experience. On top of that, turning your scrap metal into revenue is a great way to recover some of your renovation costs. 

Ready to turn your scrap into profit? 

Call us today for an up-to-the-minute quote, or stop by with your scrap metal for fast, friendly service and a fair payout. 

When an appliance breaks, many people either toss it (often paying for a large item pickup from their trash company), drop it off at the local landfill, or swap it for a new appliance with a delivery service’s “free removal” offer. There’s a fourth option that is often forgotten - metal recycling. We all know recycling helps conserve resources and reduces landfill waste, but there are benefits to appliance recycling beyond these basics. Let’s explore them.

Benefits of Appliance Recycling

1. Financial Savings

Recycling your scrap metal can potentially save you hundreds of dollars vs. the cost to have them hauled away or dropped off at the local dump/landfill. Denver area landfills can charge hundreds of dollars for large drop offs. Yet metal recycling centers and scrap yards will pay YOU instead! 

Metal recycling centers take appliances because they often contain valuable metals like copper, steel, or aluminum. For example, water heaters, microwaves, washers, dryers, stoves, and swamp coolers (without refrigerant) all contain recyclable metals. 

2. Declutter Your Home

Recycling your old appliances also helps to declutter and reclaim valuable space in your home. Beyond appliances, there are many things in our homes that can be recycled but are often overlooked. 

Do you have an old trampoline in your yard that your kids don’t use anymore? How about dilapidated metal garage shelving you’ve been meaning to replace? Many items that are often upgraded during the holiday gifting season produce a cast off, such as old grills, and lawnmowers. And how many of us have a small appliance like a microwave or printer that broke but we haven’t gotten around to Googling where we can take it for p? All of these are welcome at a metal recycling center.

3. Support Technological Advancements

When appliances are recycled, the materials recovered can be used to manufacture new electronics and appliances. When you recycle an old washing machine or microwave, the metals recovered from these appliances, such as steel, aluminum, and copper, can be melted down, processed, and used to make new products. For instance, recycled steel might be used in the frame of a new refrigerator, while recycled copper wiring could find its way into the motor of an electric car. 

Knowing your old appliances can be repurposed into the next generation of new, energy-efficient products and eco-friendly technology can be another good reason to load them up and take them to a scrap yard.

4. Reduce Energy Consumption 

Metal production is highly energy-intensive, primarily relying on fossil fuels like coal for heat, leading to significant CO2 emissions. For example, manufacturing one ton of steel can produce two tons of CO2.1  Yet the energy needed to recycle steel is 75% less compared to making steel from raw materials. This translates directly to lower CO2 emissions.2

To sum it all up, recycling helps reduce the energy needed to produce new metal and it lowers greenhouse gas emissions. The more people who recycle their metals, the larger the impact on the environment.

5. Support Local Jobs

Recycling is a labor-intensive process, which means that choosing to recycle supports local jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industries. These jobs are crucial for Denver’s economic growth, providing employment opportunities and contributing to the local economy. 

Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency (CASR) is dedicated to developing a green workforce and they’ve made great strides through training programs.3  “With the partnership of nine community organizations, CASR’s Green Workforce Training programs provide important upskilling to support Denverites in securing and retaining quality jobs that advance climate action. Between 2022 and 2023, the workforce training programs outside of the DPS partnership have served a total of 403 individuals.”4 The CASR also developed Green Workforce (GWF) Labor Standards “to create demand for green jobs by providing financial incentives for City and County contractors to hire Green Workforce trained individuals, many of whom come from equity priority communities, into high-quality, stable jobs.”4  

Tips for Recycling Home Appliances

Now that you know some of the benefits of metal recycling, here are some tips for how to do it:

First, know what items you can’t recycle.

These include fridges and window AC units that contain Freon. Anything that contains refrigerant has to be removed by a certified EPA technician. We can’t accept box springs or recliners, and Denver recycling centers don’t accept TVs or computer monitors. But don’t throw them away! Colorado made it illegal to dispose of electronics in the trash because they commonly contain toxic metals and materials that would pose health or environmental risks if they entered a landfill. Instead Denver Solid Waste Management offers residents one “E-cycle Coupon” per year. It offers a discounted dropoff rate for TVs, monitors, laptops, and other electronics. Review the full list of items and request your coupon here.

Secondly, know how to properly recycle metal.

Here are a few pro metal appliance recycling tips:

1. You don’t have to clean your metal, but you’ll get more money for it if you sort it by metal type. Your metal can be rusty and covered in dirt when you bring it in, and it won’t impact the value, but if we have to sort it, that time and effort on our part does reduce your payout value a bit.
2. Call for the best price. Like the stock market, metal values change daily. Give us a quick call at (303) 292-5555 to find out what the daily rate is for each type of metal you have. Some of our customers will hold on to their metal and wait until the prices jump to get more money, and it pays off!

When you’re ready to clean up after a renovation project or clean out your garage or basement, we’ll be ready to help you unload your recyclable metal. We take pride in being one of the fastest dropoff scrap yards in Denver. Our team will make sure you can get your metal weighed and pay you for it quickly. Reach out to us with any questions.

The Takeaway?

In closing, recycling your old appliances is not just a responsible choice; it's a powerful way to contribute to a more sustainable future. By choosing to recycle, you not only save money and declutter your home but also play a vital role in conserving natural resources and reducing harmful emissions. Every appliance recycled helps divert waste from landfills, minimizes the need for new raw materials, and supports local jobs in the recycling industry.

As we strive for a greener planet, it’s essential to recognize that our everyday choices can lead to significant environmental benefits. So next time you find yourself with a broken appliance, remember that recycling is an option that benefits both you and the world around you. Let’s work together to turn yesterday’s waste into tomorrow’s resources!

1. Understand your steel emissions
2. How Recycled Steel Helps Reduce Global Carbon Emissions
3. Green Jobs
4. Denver’s Office of Climate Action 2023 Annual Impact Report, pages 44 and 47.

The mundane corners of our homes often harbor a wealth of untapped potential. Discarded appliances, long-forgotten tools, and even tangled wires can be transformed into valuable resources through the process of scrap metal recycling. This guide equips you with the knowledge to sell scrap metal, from identifying potential treasures to understanding metal categorization and maximizing your profit potential.

What Scrap Metal Can You Sell?

The first step is identifying valuable metals within everyday objects. While a comprehensive list is available on our website, here are some common household items that might contain hidden metallic riches:

• Appliances: Broken toasters, stoves, microwaves, hot water heater, washers, dryers, and similar devices can be recycled for their component metals.
• Batteries: lead-acid batteries and car batteries can be transformed into financial gain.
• Electronics: cell phones, printers, and computer towers can be recycled for their metallic components.
• Wires and Cables: The tangled mess behind your entertainment center, once sorted and separated, can add to your metallic haul.
• Plumbing Fixtures: Replaced pipes and faucets, though seemingly mundane, can be a source of valuable scrap metal.

Please refer to our FAQ for content restrictions.

Metal Identification Process

The world of scrap metal is divided into two primary categories: ferrous and non ferrous metals. Understanding this distinction is crucial, as pricing varies significantly between the two.

Ferrous vs Non Ferrous Metals

• Ferrous Metals: Primarily composed of iron, these metals are readily attracted to magnets. Common examples include steel, cast iron, and wrought iron. Due to their abundance, ferrous metals typically fetch a lower price per pound compared to their nonferrous counterparts.
• Nonferrous Metals: Encompassing a diverse range of metals not attracted to magnets, this category includes copper, aluminum, brass, and stainless steel. Generally, nonferrous metals are more valuable because of their specific properties and lower abundance.

Pro Tip for Metal Identification

Use a magnet when you’re identifying potential scrap metal. You can identify ferrous metals because they are readily attracted to its magnetic pull. This handy tool will help you differentiate ferrous materials from their nonferrous counterparts.

How Much Does Scrap Metal Sell For?

The value of your scrap metal haul depends on several factors:

• Metal Type: Non ferrous metals generally command higher prices due to their relative scarcity and specific properties.
• Market Fluctuations: Like any commodity, scrap metal prices fluctuate based on supply and demand. Checking current market rates can help you maximize your profit. Give us a call to get a real time quote, we give up-to-the-minute pricing!
• Metal Quality and Cleanliness: Heavily contaminated or mixed-grade scrap metal may fetch lower prices. Sorting your finds meticulously and removing any non-metallic materials enhances their value.

Where to Sell Scrap Metal?

Once you've accumulated a collection of sorted metallic materials, it's time to find a reliable buyer. Here at Iron & Metals, we are a reputable scrap metal buyer offering a convenient drop-off service! Our friendly staff will handle the weighing and processing, ensuring a quick and hassle-free experience. 

Ready to Get Paid? 

If you're ready to turn your scrap metal into earnings, visit us today! We offer competitive pricing and have easy access from highways 1-70, 1-25, 1-76, Hwy 270, and Commerce City. By selling your scrap metal, you can make money and help the environment by keeping these items out of landfills.

For more scrap metal recycling insights, check out our resource center.

Feeling lost in a sea of scrap metal? Sorting leftover materials on your construction site can be confusing. We’re here to break down the key differences between ferrous and non ferrous metals, helping you become a scrap metal pro. Plus, we'll show you how to turn your scrap into profit with a smooth and sustainable approach.

What Metals Are Magnetic?

Let's get to the bottom of this magnet business. Are ferrous metals magnetic? Ferrous metals are the magnetic bunch – they contain iron (Fe) after all. Think steel beams, rebar, and iron pipes.

Are non ferrous metals magnetic? A non ferrous metal is the loner of the scrap yard. They don't contain iron and won't budge for a magnet. Copper wire, aluminum siding, and brass plumbing fixtures are all part of the non-magnetic crew.

Pro Tip: Generally, non ferrous metals bring in more cash per pound than ferrous metals. So, those non-magnetic metals are worth keeping an eye on!

The Lowdown on Ferrous and Non Ferrous Metal Properties:

The magnet test might be a handy way to differentiate these metals on the job site, but there's more to the story! Let's discuss the different properties and applications of ferrous and non ferrous metals:

Ferrous Metals:

• Iron (Fe) is the Key Player: Ferrous metals are all about iron, and the amount of iron content determines their metal properties. The higher the iron content, the stronger and more magnetic the metal. The lower the iron content, the more malleable and ductile it becomes. Iron content acts like a dial, allowing different construction needs to be met by tuning its properties.
• Strength and Durability: Ferrous metals are known for their impressive strength and durability. This makes them ideal for construction projects where heavy-duty materials are needed. Think steel beams, rebar for concrete reinforcement, pipes, and even those trusty nails and screws.
• Susceptible to Rust: Iron readily reacts with oxygen and moisture, leading to rust. To combat this, ferrous metals are often coated with zinc or other protective layers. Stainless steel is a special case containing chromium that enhances its rust resistance.

Non ferrous Metals:

• Iron-Free Zone: These metals don't contain iron, giving them unique characteristics and advantages compared to their ferrous counterparts.
• Lightweight Champions: Without the weight of iron, non ferrous metals are generally lighter than ferrous metals. Non ferrous metals are popular choices when weight reduction is a priority. Aluminum, a prime example, is widely used in aircraft construction for this reason.
• Corrosion-Resistant Champs: Many non ferrous metals naturally resist corrosion, making them perfect for applications exposed to harsh environments. Copper pipes and gutters are testaments to this advantage.
• Electrical Conductors: Some non ferrous metals, like copper and aluminum, excel at conducting electricity. This makes them essential for electrical wiring, motors, and other electrical components.

By understanding these fundamental differences, you can make informed decisions about the metals you use on your construction projects. Remember, ferrous and non ferrous metals have valuable roles to play, and proper sorting during scrap removal maximizes your profit potential while contributing to a sustainable future.

Recycling Scrap Metal: Good for the Project, Good for the Planet

Recycling your scrap metal is a win-win. It saves energy and resources needed to create new metal, which means less mining and a lighter footprint. Plus, it keeps your construction site clean and avoids those overflowing landfill bins.

At Iron & Metals, we know construction keeps this city moving. That's why we make scrap metal recycling a breeze. Need to get rid of the scrap? You can drop it off at our facility or schedule a convenient pickup directly from your job site.

Here's the best part: Our pricing structure is transparent. You’ll get up-to-the-minute pricing and top dollar for your sorted scrap metal. Plus, you'll be working with a company that shares your values – we're committed to responsible recycling practices for a sustainable future.

Ready to Cash In?

Contact us today to learn more about our scrap metal recycling services for construction companies. We'll help you streamline your scrap metal disposal process, boost your bottom line, and contribute to a greener tomorrow.