Metal Types for Beginners

Before you learn individual metals, learn the big picture: ferrous vs. non-ferrous.

• Ferrous metals = magnetic
• Contain iron
• Examples: steel, cast iron, wrought iron
• Rust when exposed to moisture
• Generally less valuable at scrap yards

• Non-ferrous metals = NOT magnetic
• No iron content
• Examples: aluminum, copper, brass, stainless steel (mostly)
• Don't rust (may corrode differently)
• Generally MORE valuable at scrap yards

How to test: Grab a fridge magnet. Hold it to your metal item. Does it stick? Ferrous. Doesn't stick? Non-ferrous.

The exception: Some stainless steel is magnetic, some isn't. We'll cover that later.

What it is: Iron + carbon alloy Common items: Food cans, car parts, appliances, construction materials, tools, furniture frames

Recyclability: Steel is the most recycled material in North America. More steel is recycled than plastic, paper, aluminum, and glass combined.

• How to identify:
• Magnetic (passes the magnet test)
• May have rust or surface corrosion
• Heavier than aluminum
• Often coated or painted

Sacramento value: $0.05-0.10 per pound for clean steel. Not much, but it adds up when you have a lot.

• What qualifies as "clean" steel:
• No paint, rust, or coatings (or minimal)
• No attachments (screws, plastic handles removed)
• Sorted from other metals

Where it goes: Steel gets melted down and made into new construction materials, car parts, appliances. The recycling process uses 75% less energy than making new steel from ore.

What it is: Lightweight, silvery metal Common items: Soda/beer cans, window frames, siding, car parts, foil, pie tins

Recyclability: Aluminum is infinitely recyclable and highly valuable. Recycling one can saves enough energy to run a TV for 3 hours.

• How to identify:
• NOT magnetic
• Very lightweight
• Silvery color (may be painted)
• Doesn't rust
• Soft — you can dent it easily

Sacramento value: $0.60-0.80 per pound for cans (CRV centers pay more per can). Clean aluminum scrap: $0.40-0.60/lb.

The can game: In California, you get CRV redemption on cans — 5¢ for under 24oz, 10¢ for larger. A pound of crushed cans = about 25-30 cans = $1.25-3.00 depending on where you take them.

Why it's valuable: Making new aluminum from ore is extremely energy-intensive. Recycled aluminum uses 95% less energy, so there's huge demand for scrap.

What it is: Reddish-orange metal Common items: Electrical wiring, plumbing pipes, pennies (pre-1982), electronics, old pots/pans

Recyclability: Extremely valuable and in constant demand.

• How to identify:
• NOT magnetic
• Distinctive reddish-brown color (when clean)
• May have green patina (oxidation)
• Found inside electronics, appliances, walls

Sacramento value: $2.50-4.00 per pound (varies with market). THIS IS HIGH.

• Copper grades:
• Bright & shiny copper (bare wire, no coating): Highest value
• #1 Copper (clean, uncoated): Very high value
• #2 Copper (oxidized, painted, attached fittings): Moderate value
• Insulated wire: Lower value (still worth it)

• Where to find it:
• Old extension cords (strip the insulation)
• Gutted appliances (motors have copper windings)
• Plumbing repairs (old copper pipe)
• Electronics teardowns

Important: Don't steal copper. Scrapping stolen wire is illegal and scrap yards check ID.

What it is: Copper + zinc alloy Common items: Plumbing fittings, keys, doorknobs, decorative items, musical instruments, ammunition casings

Recyclability: Good value, always in demand.

• How to identify:
• NOT magnetic
• Yellow-gold color (darker than gold, lighter than copper)
• Heavier than aluminum
• Often used for fittings and hardware

Sacramento value: $1.50-2.50 per pound (varies by grade and market).

• Brass grades:
• Yellow brass (keys, fittings): Standard value
• Red brass (valves, high copper content): Higher value
• Plumbing brass (faucets with attachments): Lower value

• Common finds:
• Old door hardware
• Plumbing fittings and valves
• Bed frame decorations
• Fire sprinkler heads
• Lamp bases

The key test: If you have a jar of old keys, that's brass. Scrap yards will buy them.

What it is: Steel + chromium + nickel alloy Common items: Kitchen sinks, cookware, appliances, restaurant equipment, cutlery

Recyclability: Valuable, but you need to know your grades.

The magnet confusion: Some stainless steel is magnetic, some isn't. It depends on the grade.

• Stainless types:
• 300-series (non-magnetic): Contains nickel. Higher value. Used in food service, medical equipment.
• 400-series (magnetic): No nickel. Lower value. Used in automotive, utensils.

• How to identify stainless:
• Doesn't rust (may show discoloration)
• Silvery, shiny surface
• Often stamped with grade (18/8, 18/10 = 300-series)
• Heavier than aluminum, lighter than regular steel

• Sacramento value:
• 300-series (non-magnetic): $0.40-0.60/lb
• 400-series (magnetic): $0.10-0.20/lb

Where to find it: Old sinks, restaurant cookware, appliance panels.

Here's what Sacramento-area scrap yards pay (prices fluctuate, these are typical ranges):

| Metal | Value per pound | Why it matters | |-------|----------------|----------------| | Copper | $2.50-4.00 | HIGHEST — worth actively collecting | | Brass | $1.50-2.50 | HIGH — good side income | | Aluminum cans | $0.60-0.80 + CRV | HIGH — easy to collect | | Aluminum scrap | $0.40-0.60 | GOOD — lightweight adds up | | Stainless (300) | $0.40-0.60 | GOOD — if you have quantity | | Stainless (400) | $0.10-0.20 | LOW — but better than trash | | Steel | $0.05-0.10 | LOW — only worth it in bulk |

• Strategy:
• Copper is king: If you're tearing down electronics or doing home repairs, save every bit of copper wire and pipe.
• Aluminum cans pay double: Take cans to CRV centers for redemption value + scrap value.
• Brass fittings add up: That jar of old keys? That box of doorknobs? Worth $20-50.
• Steel in bulk only: Don't drive across town for 10 lbs of steel. But if you're scrapping an appliance? Worth it.

Price tip: Scrap metal prices change with global markets. Call ahead or check scrap yards' websites for current pricing.

• CRV Redemption Centers (for cans/bottles):
• Sacramento Recycling & Transfer Station — 8491 Fruitridge Rd
• Cal Ag Recycling — Multiple locations
• rePlanet — Many grocery store parking lots (check current locations, some closed)

• Scrap Metal Yards (for all metals):
• Cohen Recycling — 1200 N B St, Sacramento — (916) 447-7441
• SA Recycling — 4720 Roseville Rd, North Highlands — (916) 331-3449
• California Metal & Supply — Multiple locations
• Norstar Metals — 5600 Firestone Pl, Sacramento

• What to bring:
• Valid ID (required by law for scrap sales)
• Metals sorted by type if possible (you'll get better prices)
• Proof of ownership for large items (scrapping stolen metal = illegal)

• Tips for best prices:
• Call ahead to confirm current prices
• Remove non-metal attachments (plastic, wood, rubber)
• Separate copper from brass from aluminum
• Crush cans to save space
• Go when you have quantity — small loads may have minimum fees

• CRV vs. Scrap:
• Aluminum cans: Take to CRV centers (you get redemption value + scrap value)
• Everything else: Take to scrap yards