How to Get the Most Money for My Scrap
If you’re asking, “How do I get the most money for my scrap?” you’re already on the right track. Whether you’re a homeowner doing a cleanup or a contractor managing jobsite waste, knowing how to prepare and deliver your materials can make a big difference in your payout.
At Fair Salvage Company, we’ve been guiding Mid-Michigan residents and businesses through scrap recycling for over 40 years. With three locations in Clare, Chase, and Montcalm, we’re here to help you make the most of your materials, whether you bring them to us or take advantage of our on-site scrap container program.
Sorting Your Materials for Maximum Value
The first step in learning how to get the most money for your scrap is understanding what you have. Not all metals are created equal. Copper, brass, aluminum, stainless steel, and insulated wire each have different values. When these are mixed together, their value often drops because they require sorting before processing.
Tip: Use a magnet to identify ferrous (magnetic) metals like steel or iron versus non-ferrous (non-magnetic) metals like copper and brass, which generally bring higher prices.
Sorted scrap is easier for us to process and pays out better. You can reference our blog on what scrap yards take to learn more about common categories.
Avoiding Common Mistakes That Reduce Scrap Value
Even well-meaning sellers sometimes leave money on the table. Here are some avoidable errors we see often:
- Leaving insulation on copper wire – Stripped wire fetches a significantly higher price.
- Mixing ferrous and non-ferrous materials – This reduces the entire load’s value.
- Leaving debris attached to metal – Wood, plastic, rubber, or dirt can downgrade a load or even make it unusable.
When in doubt, give us a call or stop by one of our yard locations to ask what you should separate.
Use Tools That Streamline Scrap Prep
Having the right tools on hand can make a big difference in your payout—and your safety.
- Wire strippers for copper wire
- Reciprocating saw for cutting steel or aluminum pieces
- Work gloves for protection from sharp metal
- Scale or bins to track your material volume
If you’re a business or farm with recurring scrap, we recommend our on-site scrap container program. We’ll deliver a container (9 to 60 yards), you fill it, and we’ll pick it up—usually within 48 hours. It’s fast, efficient, and tailored to your site.
Transparent Scrap Pricing You Can Trust
At Fair Salvage, we don’t believe in guessing games. Our pricing page is updated frequently so you can check current rates for everything from aluminum cans to copper tubing.
Our No Secrets Program means:
- You get honest, transparent pricing.
- You know what to expect before unloading.
- You get paid fairly, every time.
Real Story: How One Customer Turned Clutter Into Cash
A Clare-based HVAC technician recently cleaned out his work trailer and sorted the materials instead of dumping them. With a few quick questions to our team and a review of our pricing page, he made nearly double what he expected—just by separating insulated wire, copper pipe, and clean aluminum.
He later signed up for a 20-yard container at his shop, and now makes regular trips to our yard with sorted scrap. “It adds up fast when you do it right,” he told our scale team.
Ready to Turn Scrap Into Cash?
Getting the most money for your scrap doesn’t require fancy equipment or insider knowledge. It just takes a bit of preparation and the right partner.
Fair Salvage is here to help, whether you’re sorting scrap at home or managing industrial material offloads. With transparent pricing, clean facilities, and the best staff in Mid-Michigan, we make scrap recycling straightforward and profitable.
Visit one of our locations or request a quote today to find out how much your materials are worth.