Brass Scrap Prices: What You Need to Know to Maximize Value
If you’ve ever sorted through old plumbing parts, HVAC units, or industrial components, you’ve likely come across brass. Durable, corrosion-resistant, and easily recyclable, brass is one of the more valuable non-ferrous metals you can bring to a scrap yard.
But how much is brass worth at a scrap yard? And how can you ensure you’re getting top dollar?
At Fair Salvage Company, we help contractors, business owners, farmers, and homeowners across Mid-Michigan maximize the value of their scrap. This guide breaks down the basics of brass recycling—what it’s worth, where to find it, and how to prepare it for the best return.
Why Brass Commands Higher Scrap Prices
Brass is a copper-based alloy that often contains zinc and other metals. It’s known for its golden hue, resistance to corrosion, and use in applications where both durability and aesthetics matter. As a non-ferrous metal, brass typically earns a higher price per pound than ferrous metals like steel.
Brass scrap prices are influenced by:
- Global copper markets (since copper is the base metal)
- Current demand for industrial and construction materials
- Quality and cleanliness of the scrap
- Quantity and type (e.g., yellow brass, red brass, contaminated brass)
You can view Fair Salvage’s current scrap prices for real-time brass pricing updates.
Common Sources of Brass Scrap
Brass is more common than many realize—especially for those working in trades or home renovation. Whether you’re a contractor replacing fixtures or a farmer cleaning out equipment, keep an eye out for these common sources:
“If the magnet doesn’t stick, it’s probably worth more—aluminum, stainless steel, copper, or brass,” says Jon Fair, President of Fair Salvage. “It’s a quick way to sort at the source.”
How to Prepare Brass for Recycling
To get the best value, clean and sort your brass before bringing it to the yard. Here’s how to do it right:
1. Separate Brass from Other Materials
- Remove any attached steel or plastic.
- Use a magnet to test—brass is non-magnetic.
2. Identify the Type of Brass
- Yellow brass is the most common and widely accepted.
- Red brass contains more copper and may yield a higher price.
- Avoid mixing contaminated brass (with solder, paint, or oil) unless you’re fine with a lower price.
3. Strip Attached Copper or Wires
“Copper is always valuable. If you want to maximize what you get for it, strip the insulation off the wires before you bring them in,” says Jon Fair.
If your brass scrap includes wires or mixed copper fittings, separating them beforehand may result in higher returns per pound.
Fair Salvage’s Role in the Brass Recycling Process
Fair Salvage doesn’t just take your brass—we help you make the most of it. Whether you bring in materials to one of our three Mid-Michigan locations or use our On-Site Scrap Container Program for larger quantities, we make the process easy, safe, and profitable.
A Real-World Example from a Contractor in Clare, MI
A local contractor recently overhauled the plumbing in several rental homes. Rather than toss the old valves and fittings, he sorted them by metal type and brought them to our Clare yard.
“I thought it was just scrap. Ended up getting over $700 for brass and copper alone. You all made it easy.”
That’s the kind of value we want every customer to experience.
The Circular Economy in Action
Recycling brass doesn’t just benefit your wallet—it benefits the planet. As Jon Fair explains:
“Stainless steel can always be recycled into more stainless steel. No upper limit. Brass and copper work the same way. It’s true circular economy.”
Over 90% of materials like lead-acid car batteries and non-ferrous metals are recycled back into new products. Choosing to recycle helps reduce energy use, raw material extraction, and landfill waste.
You can learn more about these environmental impacts in our recent article, How Scrap Metal Recycling Supports a Greener Michigan.
Ready to Recycle Your Brass?
Whether you’re sorting through old tools, tearing down an outbuilding, or managing an industrial site, brass recycling is a smart move. And with Fair Salvage, it’s simple.
Request a Quote today and find out how much your brass—and other scrap—could be worth.