Your Complete Guide to Making Money and Helping the Planet with Scrap

Scrap is everywhere around you. That old phone in your drawer? Scrap. The broken washing machine in your garage? Scrap. Those metal pipes from your renovation? Scrap. In 2027, scrap is not just trash anymore. It's valuable material that people buy and sell every day.

This guide will teach you everything about scrap. You will learn what scrap is, how to sell it, how much money you can make, and why it matters for our planet. We use simple words so everyone can understand. By the end, you will know exactly how to turn your old stuff into cash.

Let's start from the beginning.

What Is Scrap?

Scrap is any material that someone doesn't need anymore but still has value. Think of it as recycling, but for valuable materials like metal, copper, aluminum, and electronics.

Here's the simple idea: Most things around us are made from valuable materials. When you finish using them, these materials don't lose their value. A car that doesn't run anymore still has steel, copper wire, aluminum parts, and even some gold in the electronics. All of this is scrap.

Instead of throwing these things away, you can sell them. Someone will buy the materials, melt them down, and use them to make new things. This saves energy, helps the planet, and puts money in your pocket.

Why Scrap Matters in 2027

In 2027, the world understands that we cannot keep digging up new materials forever. Mining metals damages nature. It uses huge amounts of energy. It creates pollution.

Recycling scrap uses much less energy. Making new aluminum from scrap uses 95% less energy than making it from raw materials. For copper, it's 85% less energy. For steel, it's 75% less energy.

This means scrap is good for three reasons:

1. You make money by selling it

2. Buyers save money by buying recycled materials instead of new ones

3. The planet stays healthier because we use less energy and create less pollution

Types of Scrap You Can Find

Let's talk about the different types of scrap. Understanding this helps you know what you have and how much it's worth.

Metal Scrap

Metal scrap is the most common type. It's all around you.

Steel and Iron

Steel is the heavy metal used in cars, buildings, and appliances. Iron is similar. If you have an old car, broken washing machine, or leftover building materials, you have steel scrap.

What it looks like: Heavy, strong, gray metal. A magnet sticks to it.

Where you find it: Car parts, appliances, furniture frames, building beams, pipes, tools

Value in 2027: $200-$400 per ton. This is the cheapest scrap metal, but because it's so common, you can collect a lot of it.

Copper

Copper is valuable. Very valuable. It's used for wires, pipes, and electronics because it conducts electricity well.

What it looks like: Orange-brown metal. Can be wire, pipe, or sheets. Sometimes has a green coating if it's old.

Where you find it: Electrical wires, plumbing pipes, air conditioner parts, motors, old electronics

Value in 2027: Clean copper wire (called 'bare bright copper'): $9-$12 per kilogram. Copper pipe: $7-$10 per kilogram. Even dirty copper with insulation: $3-$5 per kilogram.

Pro tip: Clean copper is worth much more. If you have copper wire with plastic coating, it's worth your time to strip off the plastic. The bare copper inside is worth 2-3 times more.

Aluminum

Aluminum is light and doesn't rust. You see it in drink cans, window frames, and car parts.

What it looks like: Light, silver-colored metal. A magnet does NOT stick to it. Much lighter than steel.

Where you find it: Drink cans, window frames, door frames, car wheels, bicycle frames, cooking pots, old boats

Value in 2027: Clean aluminum: $1.50-$2.50 per kilogram. Aluminum cans: $0.80-$1.20 per kilogram. Car wheels: $1.20-$1.80 per kilogram.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is the shiny metal used in kitchens and bathrooms. It doesn't rust, which makes it special.

What it looks like: Shiny, silver metal. A magnet usually sticks to it, but not as strongly as regular steel.

Where you find it: Kitchen sinks, commercial kitchen equipment, appliances, industrial tanks, pipes

Value in 2027: Good quality stainless (called SS304 or SS316): $1.80-$2.80 per kilogram. Mixed stainless: $1.20-$1.80 per kilogram.

Brass and Bronze

These are copper mixed with other metals. Brass is copper mixed with zinc. Bronze is copper mixed with tin.

What it looks like: Golden or brownish color. Heavier than aluminum but lighter than steel.

Where you find it: Plumbing fittings, door handles, taps, old keys, musical instruments, decorative items

Value in 2027: Brass: $5-$7 per kilogram. Bronze: $4-$6 per kilogram.

Electronic Scrap (E-Waste)

Electronic scrap is getting more valuable every year. Old phones, computers, and electronics contain precious metals like gold, silver, and copper.

What it includes: Old phones, computers, tablets, circuit boards, hard drives, cables, printers, TVs, gaming consoles

Why it's valuable: Electronics contain small amounts of gold, silver, copper, and rare metals. One ton of circuit boards contains more gold than one ton of gold ore from a mine.

Value in 2027: Circuit boards: $5-$15 per kilogram. Old computers: $2-$5 per kilogram. Cables: $1-$3 per kilogram. Phones vary by model but can be worth $5-$50 each for parts.

Automotive Scrap

Cars that don't work anymore are treasure chests of scrap materials.

Valuable parts:

• Catalytic converters: These are extremely valuable. They contain platinum, palladium, and rhodium. Worth $200-$1,500 each in 2027.

• Car batteries: Worth $10-$30 each for the lead inside

• Aluminum wheels: $30-$60 per wheel

• Radiators: $15-$40 each for the copper and aluminum

• Wiring harness: $10-$30 for all the copper wire

• Engine and transmission: Aluminum engines worth $100-$300

A whole car sold for scrap is worth $400-$800. But if you take it apart and sell the valuable pieces separately, you can make $800-$2,000.

How Scrap Prices Work

Understanding scrap prices helps you get the best deal. Prices change every day, just like stocks or gold prices. Let me explain why.

What Makes Prices Go Up or Down

Global Demand

When factories around the world need more metal, prices go up. When they need less, prices go down. China, India, and other big manufacturing countries have the biggest effect on prices.

Quality of Your Scrap

Clean scrap gets better prices. Here's what clean means:

• No rust or paint

• No plastic, rubber, or other materials attached

• Sorted by type (don't mix copper with steel)

• Cut into manageable pieces

Example: Copper wire with plastic coating might sell for $3 per kg. The same wire with plastic removed sells for $10 per kg. Spending 30 minutes removing plastic can triple your money.

Quantity

Bigger amounts get better prices. If you have one small bag of aluminum cans, you might get $0.80 per kg. If you have a full truck load, you might get $1.20 per kg. Buyers pay more when they can process more at once.

Location

Prices vary by city and region. Big cities with more buyers usually have better prices. Remote areas might pay less because transportation costs more.

How to Check Current Prices

In 2027, checking prices is easy:

1. Online marketplaces show live prices for your area

2. Scrap yard websites update prices daily

3. Price comparison tools let you see what different buyers pay

4. Apps on your phone can identify metal types and show instant prices

Never accept the first price. Always check at least three buyers. Prices can vary 20-40% between buyers.

How to Sell Your Scrap

Selling scrap is easier than ever in 2027. You have several options. Choose the one that works best for you.

Traditional Scrap Yards

How it works: You bring your scrap to the yard. They weigh it, check the type, and pay you cash or transfer money to your account.

Good points: Quick payment, you can see the weighing happen, no waiting

Bad points: Usually lower prices than online, you need to transport the scrap yourself, limited bargaining power

Best for: Small amounts of scrap, when you need money fast, if you have a truck to transport it

Online Scrap Marketplaces

How it works: You list your scrap on a website or app. Buyers see your listing and make offers. You pick the best offer. The buyer comes to pick up the scrap or arranges transport.

Good points: Better prices (20-40% more than scrap yards), buyers come to you, you can compare multiple offers, safe payment systems

Bad points: Takes a few days to get paid, need to create listing with photos, must wait for pickup

Best for: Larger amounts of scrap, when you want the best price, if you have time to wait a few days

Scrap Collection Services

How it works: Companies come to your location regularly to collect scrap. Good for businesses or people who generate scrap regularly.

Good points: Convenient, regular schedule, no effort needed

Bad points: Lower prices, you might not get the best deal

Best for: Businesses, construction sites, anyone who creates scrap regularly

Auctions (New in 2027)

How it works: You list your scrap as an auction. Multiple buyers bid against each other. The highest bidder wins.

Good points: Can get 30-50% more than normal prices, competition drives prices up, transparent process

Bad points: Auction takes time (usually 2-7 days), might not sell if price is too high

Best for: Valuable scrap (catalytic converters, precious metals), large quantities, rare materials

Step-by-Step: Selling Your First Scrap

Let me walk you through the process. This works for most types of scrap.

Step 1: Find and Collect Your Scrap

Look around your property:

• Garage: Old tools, car parts, bikes, appliances

• Garden: Metal furniture, wire fence, garden tools

• House: Old electronics, broken appliances, cables, batteries

• Shed: Metal shelving, scrap from projects, plumbing pipes

Collect everything in one place. This helps you see what you have.

Step 2: Sort by Type

Separate different metals. Use these simple tests:

Magnet test: Steel and iron stick to magnets. Aluminum, copper, brass, and stainless steel don't (or stick weakly).

Color test: Copper is orange-brown. Brass is golden. Aluminum is silver-gray and light.

Weight test: Aluminum is very light. Copper and brass are heavy. Steel is heavy.

Make separate piles for each type. Don't mix them. Mixed scrap gets lower prices.

Step 3: Clean Your Scrap

This step makes you more money:

• Remove plastic, rubber, and other non-metal parts

• Cut cables open to remove copper wire

• Drain fluids from appliances and equipment

• Remove screws and attachments made of different metals

You don't need to make it perfect. But cleaner scrap = more money.

Step 4: Weigh Your Scrap (Optional)

If you have bathroom scales or know someone with a big scale, weigh your scrap. This helps you estimate how much money to expect. Multiply the weight by the current price for that metal type.

Step 5: Take Photos

For online selling, you need good photos:

• Take pictures in daylight, not at night

• Show the whole pile from different angles

• Take close-up shots so buyers can see the quality

• Include something for size reference (like a coin or ruler)

Clear photos help you get better offers.

Step 6: List Your Scrap or Visit a Yard

For online selling:

• Create account on scrap marketplace

• Upload photos

• Describe what you have (type, quantity, condition)

• Set your location

• Wait for offers (usually within 24 hours)

For scrap yard selling:

• Load scrap into your vehicle

• Drive to scrap yard (call first to check they're open)

• They weigh your scrap

• Get paid immediately

Step 7: Complete the Sale

For online sales:

• Accept the best offer

• Arrange pickup time with buyer

• Buyer inspects scrap

• They weigh it (some bring portable scales)

• Money transfers to your account (usually instant or within 24 hours)

• Buyer takes the scrap

Always get a receipt or confirmation. This protects you if there's any problem.

Making More Money From Scrap

Want to make scrap collecting profitable? Here are proven strategies.

Collect Scrap From Others

Most people don't know scrap has value. They throw it away. You can collect their scrap for free and sell it.

Where to get free scrap:

• Hard rubbish collection days (when people put items on the street)

• Construction sites (ask permission first)

• Businesses that renovate or close down

• Friends and family (tell them you collect scrap)

• Appliance repair shops (they have broken machines)

• Plumbers and electricians (they replace old pipes and wires)

One person doing this part-time can make $200-$500 per week just from free scrap they collect.

Learn to Take Things Apart

Whole items are worth less than separated parts. Example:

Washing machine sold whole: $30-$50

Same machine taken apart:

• Electric motor (copper): $15

• Copper wire: $8

• Steel drum and body: $25

• Stainless steel tub: $12

• Aluminum parts: $5

Total: $65

You make $15-$35 more just by spending 20 minutes taking it apart. You need basic tools: screwdrivers, wrench, pliers, wire cutters.

Focus on High-Value Items

Not all scrap is equal. Some items are worth much more:

Best items to look for:

1. Catalytic converters ($200-$1,500 each)

2. Electric motors (copper windings inside)

3. Circuit boards from computers ($5-$15 per kg)

4. Copper pipes and wire

5. Brass fittings and fixtures

6. Aluminum wheels and radiators

7. Stainless steel restaurant equipment

One catalytic converter has the same value as 200 kg of steel scrap. Learn to spot valuable items.

Build Relationships With Regular Suppliers

Find businesses that create scrap regularly:

• Plumbers (copper pipes, brass fittings)

• Electricians (copper wire, aluminum cable)

• HVAC companies (copper coils, aluminum)

• Auto repair shops (catalytic converters, batteries)

• Construction companies (structural steel, wiring)

• Manufacturing plants (all types of scrap)

Offer to collect their scrap for free. They save disposal costs. You get reliable scrap supply. Everyone wins.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Learn from others' mistakes. Here's what NOT to do.

Mistake 1: Accepting the First Price

Always get quotes from at least three buyers. Prices vary a lot. The first buyer might pay $5 per kg for copper. The third might pay $9 per kg. That's almost double. Checking takes 15 minutes. It can mean hundreds of dollars more.

Mistake 2: Not Sorting Your Scrap

Mixed scrap gets the lowest price. Buyers assume it's mostly cheap steel. They pay based on the cheapest metal in the mix. Spend time sorting. A pile of mixed metal might get $0.50 per kg. The same pile sorted gets: copper ($9/kg), aluminum ($2/kg), brass ($6/kg), steel ($0.30/kg). The difference is huge.

Mistake 3: Leaving Valuable Parts Behind

People throw away cars without removing the catalytic converter ($500 average value). They scrap washing machines without taking out the copper motor ($15 value). They dispose of electronics without extracting circuit boards ($10-$50 value). Learn what's valuable inside common items. Five minutes of knowledge can save you hundreds.

Mistake 4: Selling When Prices Are Low

Metal prices go up and down. If you can wait, check price trends. Sometimes waiting two months can mean 20-30% more money. If you have storage space, hold onto scrap when prices are down. Sell when they go back up. This doesn't work if you need money immediately, but it's smart for long-term collectors.

Mistake 5: Not Knowing Your Rights

In 2027, scrap buyers must follow strict rules. They must weigh accurately, pay fair prices, give receipts, and not pressure you. If a buyer seems dishonest, walk away. Report them if needed. Use established marketplaces with buyer reviews and ratings. This protects you.

The Business Side of Scrap

Some people turn scrap into a real business. Here's what you need to know.

Starting Small

You don't need much to start:

• A vehicle to transport scrap (even a small trailer helps)

• Basic tools (screwdrivers, wrenches, wire cutters)

• Storage space (garage or shed)

• Magnet for metal testing

• Scale for weighing (optional at first)

Many successful scrap businesses started with just these items. They collected free scrap, sold it, and reinvested the money.

Part-Time vs Full-Time

Part-time (10-15 hours per week):

• Collect scrap on weekends

• Average earnings: $800-$2,000 per month

• Good extra income alongside regular job

Full-time (40+ hours per week):

• Build relationships with businesses

• Regular collection routes

• Process larger volumes

• Average earnings: $3,000-$7,000 per month (depending on effort and area)

Legal Requirements in 2027

If you sell scrap regularly as a business:

• Register your business name

• Get proper insurance (public liability)

• Keep records of all sales

• Declare income for tax purposes

• Follow environmental regulations for storage

For casual selling (a few times per year), you usually don't need business registration. Check your local rules.

Why Scrap Matters for Our Planet

Selling scrap isn't just about money. You're helping the environment. Here's how.

Saves Massive Amounts of Energy

Making metal from recycled scrap uses much less energy than mining and processing new metal:

• Aluminum: 95% less energy

• Copper: 85% less energy

• Steel: 75% less energy

• Stainless steel: 70% less energy

Every ton of scrap metal you sell saves enough energy to power a home for months.

Reduces Mining Damage

Mining destroys landscapes, pollutes water, and creates huge waste. Every kilogram of recycled metal means one less kilogram needs to be mined. When you sell 100 kg of copper scrap, you save digging up 100 kg of copper ore plus all the rock and waste around it. That's protecting nature.

Keeps Waste Out of Landfills

Landfills are filling up. Metal in landfills can leak harmful chemicals into soil and water. It wastes valuable resources. In 2027, we know better. Metal belongs in recycling, not in the ground.

Your Personal Impact

If you sell just 500 kg of scrap metal per year (that's one old car, or regular household scrap), you save: 4,000-6,000 kg of CO2 emissions (same as taking a car off the road for three months), enough energy to power your home for 2-3 months, 1,000-2,000 liters of water, prevents destruction of natural habitat for mining. Plus you make $300-$1,500. You help yourself AND the planet.

The Future of Scrap in 2027 and Beyond

The scrap industry is changing fast. Here's what's happening now and what's coming next.

Digital Marketplaces Dominate

In 2027, most scrap trades happen online. You list your scrap on your phone. Buyers bid within hours. Payment is instant and secure. Pickup is scheduled automatically. No more driving to scrap yards and hoping for fair prices. The internet made scrap trading transparent and competitive.

Total Price Transparency

Apps now show real-time prices from all buyers in your area. You know exactly what each metal is worth. Buyers can't lowball you anymore. This puts power in sellers' hands. Fair prices for everyone.

AI Helps Identify Materials

New apps use your phone camera to identify metal types. Point your camera at scrap. AI tells you if it's copper, aluminum, stainless steel, or something else. It estimates the value. No more guessing. Perfect for beginners.

Automated Collection Services

Some areas now have scheduled scrap collection like regular rubbish collection. Businesses can book regular pickups through apps. This makes scrap recycling as easy as taking out the trash. Participation rates are increasing.

Businesses Must Recycle

New laws in 2027 require businesses to recycle metal waste. They can't just throw it away. This creates more scrap available to buy. It also means businesses actively look for scrap collectors. Good opportunity if you want to start a scrap business.

Growing Demand for Recycled Materials

More manufacturers want recycled metal instead of new metal. It's cheaper. It's better for their environmental image. Customers prefer products made from recycled materials. This increases demand for scrap. Higher demand means better prices for sellers.

Quick Reference Guide

Use this section when you need quick answers.

Typical Scrap Prices in 2027 (Australia)

Note: Prices change daily. Always check current rates before selling.

Copper:

• Bare bright (clean wire): $9-12 per kg

• #1 Copper (clean pipe/sheet): $7-10 per kg

• #2 Copper (dirty/oxidized): $5-8 per kg

Aluminum:

• Clean aluminum: $1.50-2.50 per kg

• Aluminum cans: $0.80-1.20 per kg

Brass: $5-7 per kg

Stainless Steel: $1.20-2.80 per kg (depends on grade)

Steel/Iron: $0.20-0.40 per kg

Lead (batteries): $1-2 per kg

How to Identify Different Metals

Copper: Orange-brown color, heavy, no magnet attraction

Aluminum: Light gray, very light weight, no magnet attraction, soft (you can scratch it easily)

Brass: Golden/yellow color, heavy, no magnet attraction

Steel: Gray color, heavy, strong magnet attraction, may have rust

Stainless Steel: Shiny silver, heavy, weak or no magnet attraction, doesn't rust

Lead: Dull gray, very heavy, soft (easy to scratch), no magnet attraction

Safety Tips

• Wear gloves when handling scrap (sharp edges)

• Wear safety glasses when cutting or breaking metal

• Lift heavy items properly (bend knees, not back)

• Watch for sharp edges and rusty metal

• Drain fluids from appliances before transporting

• Store scrap safely away from children

• Get help with very heavy items (don't hurt yourself)

Final Thoughts

Scrap is everywhere. It has real value. In 2027, selling scrap is easier than ever before. You can make good money while helping the planet.

Start small. Look around your home. Collect what you find. Sort it. Take photos. List it online or take it to a scrap yard. Get paid. It's that simple.

Some people make thousands of dollars per month from scrap. They started exactly where you are now. They learned as they went. They got better at finding valuable materials. They built relationships. They grew their business.

You don't need to make it a business. Even casual scrap selling adds up. That old washing machine? $50-70. Those copper pipes from your renovation? $100-150. Your car that doesn't run? $500-800. It all adds up.

The most important thing? Just start. Stop throwing away valuable materials. Stop letting money sit in your garage gathering dust. Take action today.

Every person who recycles scrap instead of throwing it away makes a difference. For their wallet. For the environment. For the future.

Welcome to the world of scrap. Your old stuff is worth money. Go find it. Sort it. Sell it. Enjoy the results.

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Start turning your scrap into cash today. The planet will thank you, and so will your bank account. Login now on ScrapTrade.Com.Au and start making money.