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How to Recycle Water Heaters
Check local acceptanceA whole 40 to 50 gallon tank sold as light iron is about $5 to $7 (roughly 101 lb at the August reference rate of $0.07/lb). Rockaway Recycling quoted $110 per gross ton, about $0.055/lb, for appliances and water heaters on October 19, 2026. Pulling about 2.2 lb of #2 copper at the $5.28 median and 0.55 lb of yellow brass at the $3.51 median adds about $14. ScrapYards.io listed a stripped tank at $12.36 to $17.30 on September 29, 2026.Last reviewed September 29, 2026
Quick answer
A scrap water heater is worth about $5 to $7 whole (a 40 to 50 gallon tank is roughly 100 lb of light iron at $0.07/lb, as of August 2026) and $12 to $20 once you pull the copper and brass. Drain it fully first, because yards refuse full tanks. A standard gas or electric tank holds no refrigerant, so no EPA recovery step applies; a heat pump water heater does. Before you go, confirm that a local recycling center accepts the material in its current condition.
- Recycling route
- Check locally
- Typical value
- A whole 40 to 50 gallon tank sold as light iron is about $5 to $7 (roughly 101 lb at the August reference rate of $0.07/lb). Rockaway Recycling quoted $110 per gross ton, about $0.055/lb, for appliances and water heaters on October 19, 2026. Pulling about 2.2 lb of #2 copper at the $5.28 median and 0.55 lb of yellow brass at the $3.51 median adds about $14. ScrapYards.io listed a stripped tank at $12.36 to $17.30 on September 29, 2026.
- Donate / take-back
- Available
Tank and tankless water heaters containing steel, copper, brass, controls, and sometimes refrigerant in heat-pump models.
Where to Recycle
- Installing-contractor haul-away
- Municipal bulky pickup
- Appliance recyclers
- Scrap yards that accept drained tanks
How to Prepare
- 1Have gas or electrical service safely disconnected
- 2Shut off water and drain the tank completely
- 3Disconnect and cap plumbing safely
- 4Identify heat-pump models for refrigerant handling
- 5Secure loose valves, wiring, and vent components
- 6Cut off the copper inlet and outlet stubs and unscrew the brass drain valve and temperature and pressure relief valve if you want copper and brass rates instead of the light iron rate
- 7Confirm the yard takes drained tanks before you load the unit
Special Instructions
Tanks are heavy even after draining, and a full tank holds hundreds of pounds of water, so drain it completely before transport. A standard gas or electric tank contains no refrigerant, so EPA Section 608 recovery does not apply. A heat pump water heater has a sealed refrigerant circuit: EPA makes the final disposer responsible for recovering appliance refrigerant, so never vent it and have it recovered before the unit reaches a yard. Have a qualified person disconnect gas and electric service.
Environmental Impact
The steel tank is about 75% of a water heater's weight, and it recycles as light iron. Copper pipe and heating elements and brass valves are a small share of the weight but sell at far higher rates when you separate them. Proper heat-pump processing also prevents refrigerant emissions.
Official guidance and resources
Accepted items and drop-off rules can vary by location. Check the destination before you go.
- EPA: Appliance disposal
- EPA: Stationary refrigeration safe disposal requirements
- ENERGY STAR: Recycle other appliances (room air conditioners, water heaters)
- ScrapYards.io: Water heater scrap value
- ScrapTally: Is a water heater worth scrapping?
- Rockaway Recycling: current scrap metal prices (October 19, 2026)
- RecycleFind: Scrap metal prices
What’s Accepted
Accepted
- Drained gas and electric tank water heaters
- Drained units with the brass valves and copper stubs still attached
- Loose copper elements, pipe stubs, and brass fittings sold separately
Not Accepted
- Tanks still full of water
- Heat pump water heaters without a refrigerant recovery statement
- Units with gas or electric lines still connected
Donation & Take‑Back Options
Estimated value: A whole 40 to 50 gallon tank sold as light iron is about $5 to $7 (roughly 101 lb at the August reference rate of $0.07/lb). Rockaway Recycling quoted $110 per gross ton, about $0.055/lb, for appliances and water heaters on October 19, 2026. Pulling about 2.2 lb of #2 copper at the $5.28 median and 0.55 lb of yellow brass at the $3.51 median adds about $14. ScrapYards.io listed a stripped tank at $12.36 to $17.30 on September 29, 2026.
Manufacturer/Retail Take‑Back
FAQs
How much is a scrap water heater worth?
A whole 40 to 50 gallon water heater brings about $5 to $7 as light iron. Pulling the copper and brass, using the October 19, 2026 medians, adds about $14. The steel rate is still the August reference. The ticket depends on the yard.
Is it worth scrapping a water heater?
Only if you are already hauling scrap or the tank is free. The steel shell is about 75% of the weight and pays the lowest rate, so one tank nets under $20 even fully stripped.
What parts of a water heater are worth money?
The copper pipe stubs and heating elements, and the brass drain valve and temperature and pressure relief valve. Cut or unscrew them and sell them separately to get copper and brass rates instead of the light iron rate.
Do scrap yards take water heaters?
Yes, drained ones, at the light iron rate. Yards refuse full tanks, so drain yours completely before you load it.
Does a water heater need refrigerant recovery before scrapping?
A standard gas or electric tank does not. A heat pump water heater has a refrigerant circuit, so treat it like a fridge and have the refrigerant recovered first, because EPA makes the final disposer responsible for that recovery.
Who removes my old water heater?
Your installing plumber or contractor usually hauls it away. ENERGY STAR says water heaters generally have no special collection programs, so if the installer will not take it, call your local recycling or solid waste provider.
Related recycling guides
Recycle water heaters
Search recycling centers by city or ZIP, or explore more appliances materials.