Your Scrap Has Value—Let’s Make the Most of It
Every garage, shop, or job site has it: that pile of metal waiting to go somewhere. The challenge isn’t finding a place to drop it off—it’s knowing what’s worth bringing in and how to make the most from it.
At Fair Salvage Company, we help Mid-Michigan residents and businesses turn scrap into cash—quickly, transparently, and with less hassle. With three locations in Clare, Chase, and Montcalm, our team is here to guide you through what you can recycle, what we can’t accept, and how to prepare your materials to save time and boost your payout.
What Scrap Metal Can Be Recycled at Fair Salvage?
If it’s metal, there’s a good chance we take it. From construction leftovers to old appliances and battery cores, here’s a list of commonly accepted materials at Fair Salvage:
Most Commonly Accepted Metals
- Steel & Tin: Appliances, car parts, shelving, metal roofing
- Copper: Pipes, wiring (stripped or insulated), electrical components
- Aluminum: Cans, window frames, siding, car rims
- Brass: Fixtures, valves, bullet casings
- Lead-Acid Batteries: Vehicle batteries (no lithium or household batteries)
- Cast Iron: Radiators, cookware, bathtubs
- Stainless Steel: Sinks, kitchen equipment
- Electric Motors & Transformers
- Prepared & Unprepared Iron
- Clean turnings (machine shop shavings)
As Jon Fair puts it:
“We take steel, copper, aluminum, brass, batteries, appliances—basically anything metal. But we don’t take propane tanks unless they’re cut in half and fully emptied. If they only have the value stem removed we will take them but no charge, no value.”
Visit our full Material Information Guide to see detailed descriptions of metals we accept and their categories.
What Scrap Metal Is Not Accepted—and Why?
Even though we’re known for taking a wide range of materials, there are some things we can’t accept—for safety, environmental, and regulatory reasons.
Check out our guide on What Not to Bring to a Salvage Yard, but here’s a quick summary of prohibited items:
- Tires and rims still attached
- Propane tanks (unless fully purged with valves removed)
- Paint cans or chemical containers
- Electronics with glass (TVs, monitors)
- Hazardous materials (asbestos, mercury, radioactive items)
- Batteries not lead-acid-based (alkaline, lithium)
- Refrigerants or compressors not drained
These restrictions help us keep our sites safe and compliant with environmental regulations—and help you avoid unexpected drop-off delays or fees.
Prep Smarter, Get Paid Faster: How to Get the Best Scrap Prices
Want to make the most of your load? A little prep goes a long way. When your materials are separated, cleaned, and sorted properly, you’ll not only move through the yard quicker—you’ll often get a better rate.
Quick Prep Tips Before You Visit Fair Salvage
- Sort metals by type: Keep brass separate from steel, copper away from aluminum.
“For manufacturers, keeping turnings separate is huge,” says Jon Fair. “A pile of steel turnings is worth less if it’s mixed with brass.”
- Remove non-metal attachments: Things like plastic, rubber, or wood reduce your grade—and your payout.
- Cut down bulky items: We can help, but removing large non-metal parts in advance speeds up your drop-off.
- Drain fluids: From fuel tanks to radiators, make sure materials are dry and safe to handle.
- Bring ID: Michigan law requires us to verify sellers of non-ferrous metals.
Real Mid-Michigan Stories: Scrap Success from the Field
One regular from the Clare area dropped off a truckload of clean copper wiring and walked out with enough to cover a weekend getaway. Another manufacturing partner in Montcalm told us that separating their aluminum turnings before pickup increased their monthly scrap revenue by 20%.
These aren’t rare wins—they’re everyday outcomes when you know how to work with the yard.
Why Fair Salvage? Trusted. Transparent. Local.
We’re not just the place with the best scrap metal prices in Central Michigan. We’re your neighbors—working every day to help businesses, scrappers, and everyday people recycle responsibly and profitably.
With over 40 years in the industry, our family-owned approach means we treat every customer like part of the team. No tricks, no surprises—just top prices, friendly service, and a team that knows what matters to you.
Ready to Cash In on Your Scrap?
Before you toss that broken fridge or skip that bin of copper shavings—check with Fair Salvage. We’re here to make the process simple, profitable, and worth the drive.
👉 See Our Price List and get the most from your next drop-off.