Automotive recycling
How to Recycle Spark Plugs & Engine Components
Spark plugs, ignition coils, sensors, and small engine hardware. Premium plugs use platinum or iridium electrodes; coils and modules add copper windings and circuit boards.
RecyclableCopper plugs: pennies in mixed scrap. Platinum/iridium: ask a precious-metal buyer (payouts vary and are often small). Coils/modules: core price or small e-waste payout.Updated Jul 2026
Quick answer
Spark plugs and small engine parts are scrap metal. Platinum and iridium plugs are worth sorting from copper plugs when a buyer wants them. Degrease when you can, then take them to a scrap yard, precious-metal buyer, or parts-store core program. Ceramics and coils may route through e-waste if the yard asks.
- Recyclable
- Yes
- Typical value
- Copper plugs: pennies in mixed scrap. Platinum/iridium: ask a precious-metal buyer (payouts vary and are often small). Coils/modules: core price or small e-waste payout.
How to Prepare
- 1Remove parts with a cool engine
- 2Keep platinum/iridium plugs in a separate bag from copper plugs
- 3
