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scrap metal pick up scrap metal recycling

What Metal Items Can You Actually Recycle? (And Which Ones Pay Best)

Perth households are sitting on air conditioning goldmines collecting dust in their backyards. That forgotten split-system isn’t just clutter – it’s a copper treasure chest worth $11-14 per kilogram, with aluminium components fetching $1.70-2.00 per kilogram and brass fittings commanding $3.50-7 per kilogram.

 

How much money are Perth homeowners throwing away? Hundreds of dollars per unit when they dump these copper-rich appliances instead of recycling them.

 

Metal recycling transforms Perth’s environmental footprint while delivering serious cash returns to smart homeowners. Every kilogram of recycled copper prevents energy-intensive mining operations and reduces manufacturing energy consumption by up to 95%, making household cleanouts powerful environmental statements. 

 

Beyond copper-rich air conditioners, Perth homes harbour valuable scrap in aluminium window frames, brass plumbing fixtures, stainless steel appliances, and copper wiring – with clean copper commanding the highest market prices.

 

Why struggle with heavy lifting when scrap metal pick up in Perth does everything? Professional collectors handle dismantling, sorting, and transportation, turning weekend cleanups into effortless profit for busy households.

Common Household Items That Contain Recyclable Metals

Perth households contain valuable scrap metal hiding in plain sight, with proper identification and current market prices making the difference between profit and missed opportunities. Understanding which items contain the most valuable metals and their specific pricing helps homeowners maximise returns from scrap metal pick-up in Perth.

Large Appliances

  • Washing machines are steel powerhouses containing 30-45kg of valuable metal plus copper motor windings worth extracting. 
  • Refrigerators hold approximately 50-70kg of steel casing and 3-5kg of copper tubing in cooling systems. 
  • Dishwashers and dryers follow similar patterns with stainless steel shells and copper heating elements. 
  • Hot water systems contain substantial copper piping and brass fittings that command premium prices.

 

Dismantling increases payouts significantly. Hence, removing copper wiring and compressor components from appliances can double returns compared to selling whole units.

Small Appliances & Electronics

  • Microwaves typically contain 2-3kg of steel plus valuable copper transformers and brass magnetron components. 
  • Electric kettles house brass heating elements, while toasters contain nichrome wire and steel chassis. 
  • Old computers are goldmines with aluminium frames, copper wiring, and circuit board materials. 
  • Coffee machines contain copper tubing and brass valve assemblies that Perth recyclers actively seek.

Furniture & Fixtures

  • Steel bed frames typically weigh 15-25kg and provide steady recycling income. 
  • Brass door handles, bathroom fixtures, and kitchen taps command premium prices due to copper content. 
  • Aluminium window frames from older Perth homes weigh 30-50kg per set. 
  • Steel office furniture, including filing cabinets and desks, generates consistent returns during renovations.

Outdoor & Garage Items

  • Bicycles contain steel frames (5-8kg) plus aluminium and brass components. 
  • Lawnmowers feature steel decks and valuable aluminium engine blocks. BBQs combine stainless steel grates, aluminium bodies, and brass gas fittings. 
  • Aluminium guttering and roofing materials from Perth renovations often weigh hundreds of kilograms per house.

 

Metal Type Perth Price Range (per kg) Common Household Sources
Copper (clean) $11.00 – $14.00 Air conditioner coils, plumbing pipes, and electrical wiring
Brass $3.50 – $7.00 Door handles, taps, kettle elements, BBQ fittings
Aluminium (clean) $1.70 – $2.00 Window frames, guttering, bike parts, BBQ bodies
Stainless Steel $1.20 – $1.80 Appliance shells, BBQ grates, kitchen fixtures
Steel (heavy) $0.20 – $0.40 Washing machines, bed frames, and filing cabinets

How to Prepare Before You Recycle Scrap Metal in Perth? 

Proper preparation maximises scrap metal value and ensures smooth transactions with Perth recyclers, with well-prepped materials earning significantly higher payouts than unsorted mixed metals.

Sort by Metal Type

Separate ferrous from non-ferrous metals using a simple magnet test – ferrous metals containing iron stick to magnets, while valuable non-ferrous metals like copper, aluminium, and brass do not. Non-ferrous metals command premium prices, so accurate sorting directly impacts profits. 

 

Categorise non-ferrous metals by specific type since copper, aluminium, brass, and stainless steel each have different Perth market values. Clean copper fetches $11-14 per kilogram, while mixed metals receive lower grades and reduced payouts.

Clean and Strip Materials

Remove all non-metal components, including plastic, rubber, wood, insulation, and fabric attachments. Contaminated metals receive lower grades and reduced pricing from Perth recyclers. 

 

Strip insulation from copper wiring to maximise value – bare copper wire commands premium prices compared to insulated wire. Use proper wire stripping tools to avoid damage and maintain clean copper grades.

Prepare for Transport

Cut large items into manageable pieces using appropriate safety equipment, including gloves and safety glasses. Smaller, organised loads are easier for scrap metal pick-up in Perth to handle and process. Bundle smaller items in containers or bins, keeping different metal types separated and clearly labelled. 

 

Pre-weighing and labelling large quantities streamlines the recycling process and ensures accurate pricing. Gather proof of ownership and valid personal identification, as Perth scrap yards require documentation before accepting materials.

Choose Runabout Metals for The Best Scrap Metal Prices in Perth

Everyday household items represent untapped treasure troves worth hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars. From that forgotten air conditioner containing $200+ worth of copper coils to aluminium window frames holding $85+ in recyclable value, homes across 

 

Perth are literally sitting on goldmines. Copper fetches $11-14 per kilogram, brass commands $3.50-7 per kilogram, aluminium brings $1.70-2.00 per kilogram, and even heavy steel generates steady returns at $0.20-0.40 per kilogram.

 

Smart Perth residents check current scrap metal prices before selling to maximise returns from their household cleanouts. Market prices fluctuate regularly, making timing crucial for profitable recycling. Professional scrap metal pick-up in Perth eliminates the hassle while ensuring proper sorting and maximum payouts.

 

Ready to transform household clutter into instant cash? Contact Runabout Metals or visit their Canning Vale scrap yard at 9 Martin Place. Perth’s go-to metal merchants offer competitive rates, professional service, and free commercial bin hire for larger quantities. 

 

Don’t let valuable metals gather dust – declutter, recycle, and get paid today with Runabout Metals

Categories
Aluminum metal Brass Metals Brass Recycling Copper Scrap Metal scrap metal recyclers scrap metal recycling

The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Recycling Metal from Your Perth Home

Have you ever wondered what that pile of old metal items in your garage or shed could be worth if you took them to a scrap metal merchant in Perth?

 

Hidden in your garage, shed, and around your Perth home lies a goldmine waiting to be discovered. 

 

That old washing machine in your backyard could fetch you $30-50 in scrap steel in Cannington, while copper pipes from renovations can bring in $8-12 per kilogram based on the current scrap copper price in Perth. Even small items add up quickly, like aluminium cans and window frames typically sell for $1.50-2.00 per kilogram according to the aluminium scrap price in Perth. Old taps and fittings command a strong brass scrap price in Perth.

 

It’s real! This is the money hiding in your backyard or garage. 

 

With current prices of metal recycling in Perth reaching attractive levels, now is the perfect time to turn your metal clutter into cash. Beyond the immediate financial rewards, recycling these materials reduces landfill waste and supports the circular economy of Perth.

 

This comprehensive guide will equip beginners with everything needed to identify valuable metals, prepare them properly, and connect with reputable scrap metal merchants in Perth and its surrounding areas, such as Cannington. You’ll learn to maximise returns while contributing to environmental sustainability.

Why Recycle Metal?

Environmental Benefits

Metal recycling in Perth significantly reduces the volume of waste sent to landfills, preserving valuable space. This practice conserves natural resources by lowering the demand for raw ore extraction and saves up to 95% of the energy that would otherwise be consumed in producing new metals from virgin materials.

Financial Benefits

You can easily transform unwanted household items into immediate cash through a local scrap metal merchant in Perth. With the current scrap copper price making old wiring valuable and a strong aluminium scrap price for cans and frames, your clutter is profitable. Even larger items fetch good prices at yards that handle scrap steel in Cannington.

Community Impact

Recycling metal actively supports Perth’s circular economy by keeping materials in productive use rather than discarding them. This process creates local employment opportunities within the recycling industry and lessens the environmental strain caused by new mining operations, benefiting the entire community.

What Metals Are Worth Collecting from Your Home?

Many Perth households unknowingly sit on valuable scrap metals that can quickly turn into cash. From copper pipes to aluminium cans and even old appliances, almost every space in your home hides recyclable items. By knowing where to look, you can sort metals efficiently and get the best value from a local scrap metal merchant in Perth.

 

  • Copper: Found in plumbing pipes, electrical wiring, and plumbing fixtures; highest resale value.
  • Aluminium: Lightweight but profitable in bulk; look for cans, window frames, bikes, and cookware.
  • Steel & Iron: Common in old appliances, garden tools, car parts, and heavy machinery.
  • Brass & Stainless Steel: Popular in taps, sinks, fittings, cutlery, and decorative hardware.

 

Household Areas: Kitchens (pots, pans, broken appliances), garages/sheds (tools, bikes, lawnmowers), bathrooms/laundries (washing machines, taps, pipes), backyards (BBQs, fences, outdoor furniture).

 

Metal Type Common Sources Approx. Price/kg in Perth
Copper Pipes, wiring, plumbing fixtures $8 – $12
Aluminium Cans, window frames, bike parts, cookware $1.50 – $2.00
Steel / Iron Appliances, garden tools, car parts $0.30 – $0.50
Brass Taps, fittings, decorative items $4 – $6
Stainless Steel Sinks, cutlery, and household fittings $1.00 – $1.50

Understanding the Recycling Process

 

Understanding how metal recycling in Perth works helps you appreciate the complete journey your scrap takes from collection to reuse, maximising both environmental and economic benefits.

 

Step 1: Collection and Weighing

When you arrive at a facility or contact a scrap metal merchant in Perth, your metals are first inspected and categorised by experienced staff. Each metal type is then weighed on certified digital scales that ensure accurate measurements. 

 

You’ll receive immediate payment based on current market rates, whether it’s the scrap copper price in Perth at $8-12 per kilogram, the aluminium scrap price in Perth at $1.50-2.00 per kilogram, or the scrap steel pricing. The facility provides detailed receipts showing weights, grades, and total payment for transparency.

 

Step 2: Sorting and Grading

Professional recycling facilities employ sophisticated sorting techniques to separate metals by type and quality. High-grade copper wiring fetches a premium scrap copper price in Perth, while contaminated copper receives lower pricing. 

 

Advanced magnetic separators distinguish ferrous from non-ferrous metals, while optical sorting technology identifies different alloy compositions. This precise grading ensures maximum value recovery and proper processing streams.

 

Step 3: Shredding and Melting

Sorted metals undergo industrial shredding to reduce size and increase surface area for efficient melting. Specialised furnaces reach temperatures exceeding 1,500°C, transforming your old appliances and brass scrap items into molten metal. 

 

This energy-intensive process removes impurities and creates a uniform composition ready for manufacturing.

 

Step 4: Manufacturing New Products

The refined metal ingots are sold to manufacturers who create everything from construction beams to household appliances, automotive parts, and electronics.

 

This closed-loop process ensures metal recycling in Perth contributes significantly to sustainability by reducing mining demands, conserving energy, and supporting Perth’s circular economy goals while keeping materials in productive use.

Where to Recycle Metal in Perth? 

Perth offers numerous options for recycling metal through established scrap metal merchants in Perth and specialised collection depots throughout the metropolitan area. Many reputable recyclers provide convenient free pick-up services for bulk items.

 

When it comes to selecting a scrap metal merchant in Perth, Runabout Metals stands out as the premier choice for both residential and commercial clients. Unlike many competitors, they offer transparent pricing that truly reflects current market rates for scrap copper, aluminium scrap, and brass scrap in Perth to ensure that you receive fair value for your materials.

 

  • Free Collection Services – Eliminates the hassle of transporting large quantities of scrap materials
  • Expert Guidance – An Experienced team provides metal identification assistance and preparation tips to help beginners maximise their returns
  • Fully Licensed Operations – Maintains proper licensing with certified scales for accurate weighing and fair transactions
  • Same-Day Payment Options – Offers immediate payment through cash or bank transfer for customer convenience
  • Transparent Market Pricing – Provides competitive rates that genuinely reflect current market values across all metal types
  • Environmental Leadership – Actively contributes to the circular economy of Perth beyond just business operations
  • Professional Reliability – Built reputation through consistent service excellence and trustworthy business practices

 

Choose Runabout Metals as your trusted local partner in turning household scrap into profit while protecting the environment and supporting sustainable practices in Western Australia.

At Runabout Metals in Canning Vale,Perth turning scrap metal into cash is fast and hassle-free. Simply drive in and drop off at our Martin Place yard, with reliable service extending to nearby suburbs including Thornlie, Beckenham, Cannington, and Maddington.

As your trusted local recycler, we’re committed to responsible recycling practices that maximise resource recovery, helping you earn more while reducing landfill waste.

Count on competitive pricing, prompt payouts, and a straightforward service experience across Canning Vale and the wider Perth Metro area.

Request a Quote

Runabout Metals pays competitive rates for all scrap metals. If you’ve got a question or want a fast, obligation‑free quote, contact the team below and we’ll respond promptly.