How to Recycle Mixed Metals
Mixed metal scrap, including alloys, hardware, and composite materials that combine ferrous and non-ferrous pieces.
Quick answer
Yes, mixed metals are recyclable, but sorting them first earns significantly more. Use a magnet to split ferrous metal (steel, iron - magnetic) from non-ferrous metal (aluminum, copper, brass, most stainless - non-magnetic), then take them to a scrap-metal yard; unsorted mixed loads are paid at a blended rate that's often close to plain steel pricing even when copper or aluminum is mixed in.
- Recyclable
- Yes
- Recycling code
- MM
- Typical value
- Priced at a blended rate that's usually close to the lowest-value metal in the load - often near plain steel pricing, a few cents per pound, even when some copper or aluminum is mixed in. Sorting ferrous from non-ferrous first, and pulling out any copper, brass, or aluminum, can multiply what the same material is worth.
- 1Separate ferrous (magnetic) from non-ferrous (non-magnetic) metal with a magnet
- 2Sort out copper, brass, and aluminum further if you have enough volume - they price far above mixed steel
- 3Remove any non-metal attachments
- 4Clean thoroughly
- Scrap metal dealers
- Industrial sites
- Construction sites
Recycling mixed metals still reduces the need for new mining, but sorting them first recovers more value from higher-grade metals like copper and aluminum instead of blending them down.
Estimated value: Priced at a blended rate that's usually close to the lowest-value metal in the load - often near plain steel pricing, a few cents per pound, even when some copper or aluminum is mixed in. Sorting ferrous from non-ferrous first, and pulling out any copper, brass, or aluminum, can multiply what the same material is worth.
How much more is sorted metal worth than mixed?
It depends on what's in the pile, but the gap is large: plain mixed steel scrap prices in cents per pound, while sorted copper or brass from the same load can be worth dollars per pound. Even basic ferrous/non-ferrous sorting with a magnet usually pays for the extra few minutes of work.
What's the fastest way to sort mixed metal?
Start with a magnet: anything that sticks is ferrous (steel, iron, cast iron) and goes in one pile. Everything else - aluminum, copper, brass, 304/316 stainless, zinc - is non-ferrous and worth sorting further by type if you have enough of it.
Is it worth sorting a small amount of mixed metal?
For a small bucket, probably not - the price difference on a pound or two of mixed scrap isn't much money. For a garage clean-out, renovation, or a larger pile, sorting by magnet and metal type is worth the time.
Recycling centers that accept Mixed Metals
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