Why It Pays to Know How to Identify Valuable Recycled Metal
Whether you’re cleaning out your garage, remodeling your property, or managing scrap from an industrial job site, chances are you’re sitting on more money than you think. The key? Knowing how to identify valuable scrap metal before bringing it in.
At Fair Salvage Company, we help customers across Clare, Chase, and Montcalm, MI turn unused materials into income. But one of the biggest ways to maximize your recycled metal’s value starts before you even reach the yard: identifying, sorting, and preparing your metals.
This blog will walk you through how to spot valuable materials, safely disassemble items, and use simple tools to sort scrap metal like a pro.
Common Items That Contain Valuable Scrap Metal
Whether you’re a homeowner, contractor, or business owner, scrap hides in plain sight. You don’t need a demolition project to make money recycling.
Here are everyday items that often contain high-value metals:
In Homes
- Appliances – Refrigerators, washers, dryers, and microwaves often contain aluminum, copper, and steel.
- Electrical wiring – Leftovers from renovations or repairs usually contain copper.
- Pipes & fixtures – Old plumbing may contain copper or brass.
- Power cords & electronics – Computers, monitors, and TVs often contain non-ferrous metals.
- Old ceiling fans or lighting fixtures – Disassemble to find copper wiring and aluminum.
On the Farm or in the Shop
- Irrigation parts – Often include aluminum and brass.
- Old motors and pumps – Contain copper and steel.
- Fencing and gates – May be recyclable steel or aluminum.
- Scrap bins of nuts, bolts, tools – You may be tossing money without realizing it.
Want a deeper breakdown of what Fair Salvage accepts? Visit our resource:
What Do Scrap Yards Take?
Tools You Can Use to Identify Scrap Metal Types
You don’t need fancy equipment to identify valuable scrap metal. In fact, a simple magnet can tell you a lot.
“For tools—just use a magnet. If the magnet sticks, it’s steel. If it doesn’t, it’s worth more—aluminum, stainless steel, copper, brass.”
— Jon Fair, Fair Salvage Company
Quick Identification Tools:
- Magnet: If it sticks, it’s ferrous (usually steel or iron). If it doesn’t, it’s likely copper, brass, stainless steel, or aluminum – which are more valuable.
- Wire stripper: Helpful for removing insulation from copper wire.
- Metal file: File a small corner to reveal the true metal color beneath coatings or paint.
- Gloves & eye protection: Always protect yourself when inspecting or prepping recycled metal.
You’ll find that many non-ferrous metals have a different shine or color under the surface, making them easy to distinguish once you know what to look for.
Tips for Disassembling Items Safely
Dismantling scrap items can lead to bigger payouts – but only when done safely. There are risks with certain items if you don’t know what you’re working with.
“Safety tip – never bring in propane tanks unless the valve is removed and they’ve been cut in half. Closed containers explode in shredders.”
– Jon Fair
Here are a few safety and prep tips to follow:
Before You Disassemble:
- Unplug and drain appliances of fluids.
- Remove batteries, bulbs, and glass components.
- Use a magnet to test parts before disassembling.
- Watch for pressure tanks, electronics with capacitors, and any item labeled “do not open.”
Pro Tips to Increase Value:
- Strip insulation from copper wire to boost its grade and price.
- Separate steel screws, brackets, or mixed materials from non-ferrous scrap.
- Don’t throw everything into one bin. Mixed materials often get paid at the lowest price.
“Biggest tip for getting the most money? Keep materials separate. If you bring a pile of mixed metals, I have to buy them at the lowest grade price.”
– Jon Fair
A Local Metal Scrap Sorting Success Story
A small machine shop near Montcalm used to toss all their recycled metal into one roll-off. After speaking with our team at Fair Salvage, they started separating their copper, brass, and aluminum.
Within a month, their payout jumped 30% – just from better sorting.
Now they train new employees to use a magnet and sorting bins on-site. The result? Less waste, better cash flow, and a cleaner workspace.
That’s the kind of transformation that happens when you partner with a recycled metals yard that teaches you how to work smarter.
Why Sorting Your Scrap Metal Beforehand Matters
At Fair Salvage, we sort scrap quickly and fairly – but you’ll always earn more if your load is already separated by metal type. Here’s why:
- Clean, sorted copper pays significantly more than mixed wire.
- Brass mixed with steel gets downgraded.
- Dirty aluminum is worth less than clean, unpainted aluminum.
You don’t need to be a full-time recycler to sort like one. With a magnet, a few bins, and some prep, you can make every load more profitable.
Want help getting started? Our team is happy to explain how to sort your materials for top value. Learn more through our Recycling Services page.
Make the Most of Your Scrap: Why Work With Fair Salvage
Whether you’re recycling scrap from your home renovation or handling job site cleanup, Fair Salvage is your trusted guide for getting it done right. With locations in Clare, Chase, and Montcalm, we make it easy to:
- Drop off metals at a nearby yard
- Access current prices through our No Secrets Program
- Get help identifying materials from knowledgeable staff
- Use our on-site scrap container program for larger jobs
We’ve spent decades helping Mid-Michigan homeowners and businesses scrap smarter – and we’d love to do the same for you.
Ready to Identify Valuable Scrap Metal and Earn More?
Bring your prepared, sorted metals to Fair Salvage and discover how much more your materials are worth when you know what you have.
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Fair Salvage Company – Helping you identify, sort, and recycle smarter in Mid-Michigan.