Sell scrap metal: prices, grades and how to sell
Scrap metal is one of the few wastes that buyers will pay you for. Sort it by type, know the grade and sell to a licensed dealer, and a disposal cost becomes income.
This guide is for businesses. If you are a householder, use your council's recycling service or your local recycling centre instead.
What is scrap metal worth?
Scrap metal is priced by weight and by grade. Steel and iron are sold per tonne. Copper, brass, aluminium and other non ferrous metals are worth far more and are often quoted per kilo.
Four things decide the price you are offered:
- The metal and its grade. Clean copper is worth many times more than mixed light iron.
- The market. Non ferrous prices follow the London Metal Exchange, and steel follows demand from mills at home and abroad. Prices can change daily.
- Cleanliness. Plastic, rubber, oil and attached steel all lower the grade.
- Volume and distance. Regular tonnages close to a yard earn better terms and free containers.
Ask two or three buyers for a quote on the same day, because a price is only valid for a short time.
For current market figures, see our scrap metal prices page, which is updated every month.
The main types of scrap metal
| Metal | How to recognise it | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy steel | Thick plate, beams and machinery. Magnetic | Low per tonne, but adds up in volume |
| Light iron | Thin sheet, cabinets and appliances. Magnetic | The lowest ferrous grade |
| Cast iron | Heavy, brittle castings such as engine blocks and radiators | Similar to heavy steel |
| Copper | Red or pink. Pipe, wire and cable | The highest of the common metals |
| Brass | Yellow. Taps, valves and fittings | High |
| Aluminium | Light and silver. Frames, sheet, wheels and cans | Medium |
| Stainless steel | Bright and usually non magnetic. Catering equipment and tanks | Medium |
| Lead | Very heavy, soft and grey. Sheet, pipe and weights | Medium |
How to prepare scrap metal for sale
- Use a magnet. Anything it sticks to is ferrous and belongs with steel and iron.
- Keep each metal in its own bin or stillage. A mixed load is paid at the lowest grade in it.
- Remove plastic, rubber, wood and glass where it is quick to do so.
- Drain oil and coolant, and keep machining swarf separate and dry.
- Store metal securely. It is a common target for theft.
- Weigh or estimate each grade before you ask for quotes.
Your legal duties when you sell scrap metal
- Licensed dealer. In England and Wales the buyer must hold a scrap metal dealer's licence from the local council.
- Identity check. The dealer must verify the seller's name and address, so whoever delivers the metal should bring identification.
- No cash. Dealers can only pay by bank transfer or by cheque. Paying cash for scrap metal is illegal.
- Duty of care. Your business must store its waste safely and hand it only to someone authorised to take it. See the official guidance.
- Registered carrier. Whoever collects your material must be a registered waste carrier. Check the public register before the first collection.
- Waste transfer note. Complete one for every load, or a season ticket for regular collections, and keep it for two years.
- Carrying it yourself. If you regularly transport your own business waste you must register as a waste carrier. In England this is free when you only carry waste your own business produced, unless it is construction or demolition waste.
- Separation at work. In England, workplaces must keep dry recyclables, food waste and non recyclable waste apart. The rules began on 31 March 2025, and firms with fewer than 10 full time equivalent employees have until 31 March 2027. Read the rules.
- Digital waste tracking. Since 1 October 2026, permitted sites that receive waste in England and Wales must record each load in the government's digital service. Carriers and dealers are due to follow in a later phase, so keep your transfer notes.
Rules differ slightly in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This is a plain English summary, not legal advice.
How to sell scrap metal on The Green Alchemist
- Register your business on The Green Alchemist.
- Create a selling listing with the grade, quantity, location and a clear photo of your scrap metal.
- Browse the directory of waste processors to find buyers and carriers who handle scrap metal, and contact them directly.
- Compare offers on price, collection and payment terms, and check each buyer's registration.
- Agree the collection, complete the waste transfer note and get paid by bank transfer.
Register and list your scrap metal
Frequently asked questions
Does my business need a licence to sell its scrap metal?
No. A business that only sells scrap produced by its own work is not a scrap metal dealer. The buyer needs the licence, and you need to meet your duty of care.
Can a dealer pay me in cash?
No. In England and Wales scrap metal dealers can only pay by bank transfer or by cheque, and they must verify the seller's name and address.
How is scrap metal priced?
By weight and grade. Steel and iron are priced per tonne. Non ferrous metals such as copper, brass and aluminium are priced per kilo or per tonne and follow world metal markets.
Will a buyer collect small amounts?
It depends on the metal. A few hundred kilos of copper or brass is often worth collecting, while steel usually needs a full skip or bin. For regular volumes many buyers supply containers free of charge.
Related guides: Sell scrap copper, Sell scrap brass, Sell scrap aluminium, Sell scrap steel, Sell scrap cans.