Sorting is the single most effective way to increase what you get for scrap. Here is a practical guide.
The basic split: ferrous vs non-ferrous
Use a magnet. If it sticks, the metal is ferrous (steel, iron). If it doesn't, it's non-ferrous (copper, aluminium, brass, zinc, lead). Non-ferrous metals are worth 5–20× more per kg. Never mix them — a single steel bolt in a box of aluminium can downgrade the whole batch.
Sort non-ferrous by type
- Copper: Separate bright wire (clean, stripped), #1 copper (clean, no solder), #2 copper (soldered, painted, coated).
- Aluminium: Separate extrusions (window frames, profiles), cast (engine parts, wheels), and mixed/can stock.
- Brass: Separate yellow brass (fittings, valves) from red brass (plumbing fixtures).
- Stainless steel: Separate by grade if known (304, 316). Turnings from solid.
Remove contaminants
For each sorted type, remove anything that isn't that metal:
- Strip insulation from copper wire
- Remove screws, bolts, and plastic fittings from aluminium frames
- Drain oil from engine parts
- Remove concrete from rebar
- Take rubber off cable
What you gain
A typical mixed batch of 500 kg might be priced as "mixed metal" at €0.15/kg — total €75. The same 500 kg sorted into 200 kg steel (€0.30/kg), 200 kg aluminium (€1.00/kg), and 100 kg copper (€4.00/kg) would be €60 + €200 + €400 = €660. Sorting is worth it.
Label your bins
If you generate scrap regularly, set up labelled bins: one for steel, one for aluminium, one for copper, one for brass. Sorting at source costs nothing and you never lose value to mixing.
When in doubt, ask
If you're not sure what a metal is, submit it on European Scrap Market and describe it. The yards in the network can identify materials and advise on sorting before they bid.