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Every home has a corner, drawer, or shelf where old things pile up. A broken lamp. A tangle of outdated cords. The dented pan that got pushed to the back of the cupboard years ago. Most people see clutter, but a scrap metal buyer sees money. At M&M Recycling, we know that the forgotten odds and ends around your house can be turned into cash through scrap metal recycling. Once you learn which items hold value, you will never look at that junk pile the same way again. Keep reading to see what everyday items could be worth something.
Take a look at your garage or basement. Odds are there is an old toaster, microwave, or box fan gathering dust. Even if these appliances no longer work, they are packed with metal that still carries value. Small appliances often contain aluminum, copper, or stainless steel. Larger appliances like washing machines, dryers, or stoves include heavy amounts of steel, plus wiring with copper inside. Before you drop a broken appliance at the landfill, pause. Many scrap yards accept them whole, but you can also remove the most valuable parts. Copper wiring and brass fittings add up quickly. Motors inside fans or old blenders are another source of high-value material. A refrigerator compressor, for example, is a dense piece of metal worth far more than most people realize. On the outside, you may see a cracked handle or chipped paint. Inside, the components that kept it running are made from metals in steady demand. With the right eye, that old microwave turns from waste into a payday.
Everyone has a drawer filled with stray chargers, outdated cables, or extension cords with a missing prong. It is easy to overlook them, but the copper running inside those wires is valuable and is among the most sought-after metals in recycling. Even a small box of cords can make a worthwhile drop-off. Computers, laptops, and televisions are also rich sources of recyclable material. Old phones, DVD players, and game consoles also qualify. The technology may be outdated, but the metal inside never loses value. Collecting them over time, then bringing them in all at once, turns clutter into cash in one simple trip.
Take a walk through your kitchen with a different perspective. Pots and pans wear out. Handles break off. Nonstick surfaces chip. When it is time to retire them, check the material. Stainless steel, aluminum, and copper-bottomed pans are all recyclable. A stack of old cookware can weigh enough to bring a return at a scrap yard. Pay attention to plumbing fixtures as well. Old brass faucets, copper pipes, or metal sink drains may seem like junk once replaced, but they hold value. Even small items such as cabinet handles or drawer pulls are worth setting aside. Brass especially tends to surprise people. It looks dull when tarnished, but it pays well when recycled. Light fixtures, ceiling fans, and old door hardware should be part of the pile. When updating a home, many people simply toss these things in the trash. Instead, create a separate bin. Eventually, it fills with material that a scrap metal buyer will gladly weigh and purchase.
Old lawnmowers, grills, and bicycles are great examples. If they are no longer safe to use, the steel, aluminum, and copper they contain still matter. Lawn equipment usually has motors with copper windings inside. A grill may look rusted and worn, but beneath the surface is a body of steel and aluminum. Fencing, gutters, and downspouts also qualify. Aluminum gutters, in particular, are lightweight but valuable. If you are doing a renovation or replacing outdoor features, keep the old material aside for recycling. Patio furniture, especially if it is aluminum or wrought iron, can also be recycled. Even a broken folding chair might surprise you once the weight hits the scale. Kids also outgrow bicycles quickly, and they end up rusting in the corner of a shed. Instead of sending them to the dump, remember they are mostly steel and sometimes aluminum.
You do not need to be an expert in sorting metals to benefit from recycling. Just remember not to throw metal away. Instead, make a space in your garage or shed where you keep anything with a metal component. Once you have a decent amount, take it to a local scrap metal company. They will separate, weigh, and pay you fairly. It helps to keep certain items grouped. For example, wires in one box, cookware in another, and appliances in a third. This small step saves time later. If you want to go further, learn to use a magnet. Steel sticks to a magnet, while copper, brass, and aluminum do not. This quick test helps you identify what you have on hand. The most important step is deciding to start. Each time you toss metal in the trash, you miss an opportunity. Putting it aside instead helps you build a habit that pays off over time. Whether you’re clearing a single drawer of cords or removing an entire shed full of equipment, it all has value once it reaches the right place.
The items most people ignore are the very ones that add up at the scrap yard. Old appliances, wires, cookware, fixtures, lawn equipment, and bikes all have value once you know what to look for. Instead of filling the landfill, bring them to M&M Recycling and put money back in your pocket. We handle everything from small loads of kitchenware to large appliances and outdoor equipment. Our team makes the process simple so you can clear your home of clutter and get rewarded for it. Don’t let those forgotten items go to waste. Call today or visit us in person, and turn what you thought was junk into cash through scrap metal recycling.
