What you can sell as scrap metal: a practical list for home, yard and garage
Before you throw out anything metal, check the list below. Many things around the house and yard are worth something as scrap, and some — copper, brass or aluminium — are worth several times more than ordinary iron.
In short
- Radiators, pipes, sheet metal, fences, bikes, tools and car parts — all accepted as scrap.
- Copper, brass, aluminium and lead are worth much more — keep them separate.
- Appliances, batteries and cables are accepted, but separately and without taking them apart or burning them.
From the house
Cast-iron or steel radiators, old boilers and water heaters, pots and pans, cutlery, metal furniture, beds and chairs with metal frames, metal shelving. All of it is accepted as scrap.
Broken appliances — washing machines, fridges, cookers, microwaves — are accepted too, but as electrical and electronic waste, separately from scrap iron. Don't take them apart yourself: fridges in particular contain gases that mustn't be released.
From the yard and garage
Old fences and gates, wire mesh, roofing sheets, water pipes, bicycles, wheelbarrows, broken tools, steel rims without tyres, car parts, lawnmower engines.
Your old car battery is accepted too, but keep it separate and don't drain it: the acid inside is dangerous.
What's worth more: non-ferrous metals
Copper (copper pipes, copper wire, motor windings), brass (taps, door handles, yellow fittings), aluminium (window frames, alloy wheels, pots, cans) and lead pay much better than scrap iron.
That's why it's worth putting them in separate bags. A brass tap thrown in with the iron is paid at the iron price — so you lose money without realising it.
Electrical cables
Old power cables, broken extension leads and appliance cords are accepted with their insulation on. They're paid by how much copper or aluminium they contain: thick cables pay better, thin ones less.
Don't burn them to get the plastic off. It's illegal, it pollutes, and burnt copper pays less than whole cable anyway. We have our own plant that separates the copper from the plastic.
Frequently asked questions
- Do you take fridges and washing machines?
- Yes, as electrical and electronic waste. Bring them whole, without removing the compressor or other parts.
- Do you take tins and cans?
- Aluminium cans yes, and they pay better than iron. Steel food tins are accepted as light scrap, but in small amounts they're worth little.
- Do I need to clean the scrap first?
- It doesn't need polishing, but remove as much wood, plastic, rubber and soil as you can. Anything that isn't metal is deducted at the scale.
This article is informational and reflects our practice at the date of publication. Romanian environmental legislation changes frequently — for your company's specific situation, check the texts in force and consult the environmental protection agency or a specialist adviser.