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Is Brass Worth Anything? Understanding Its Value

Is brass worth anything now? Is brass scrap metal removal worth your time and effort? These are just two of the questions we’ll answer for you today!

We will discuss the value of brass, tips for recycling scrap brass, where to find brass, and much more.

What is Brass?

Brass is a centuries-old alloy of copper and zinc. It has been used for objects like wind instruments, marine fittings, ornate door handles, bathroom fittings, statues, and machine parts.

Brass is an attractive material because of its color, resistance to corrosion, and ease of fabrication—making it suitable for decorative and practical applications.

But should you keep that old door handle? Is brass worth anything today?

The good news is that it might be worth something if you want to recycle it. And it might be worth even more if you have much of it!

Let’s examine why brass could be valuable, why it might be worth something to recycle, and what factors influence the market price of this material.

The Composition and Characteristics of Brass

Brass is an alloy typically containing 67% copper and 33% zinc.

Its unique characteristics include:

  • Corrosion resistance: Brass doesn’t rust easily, making it ideal for plumbing and outdoor applications.
  • Malleability: It can be molded into shape, so it is used for intricate designs and small, detailed fittings.
  • Aesthetic appeal: Its warm, golden glow makes it popular for decorative purposes, like jewelry and building features.

These characteristics make brass highly valuable for manufacturing new products and recycling.

Current Market Value of Brass

The market value of brass is largely derived from the prices of copper and zinc, which are traded as commodities.

The price of brass by weight fluctuates based on prevailing market conditions under which the underlying metals are traded, as well as supply and demand lines and macroeconomic conditions.

Brass has sold for anywhere between about $1.50 to $2.50 a pound over the past few years, depending on where you are, the purity of the brass, and market conditions.

Factors that Influence the Value of Brass

The price you can get for brass depends on several factors:

  • The type of brass: Some types of brass are worth more than others. Naval brass tends to be the most valuable, and yellow brass is more valuable than red.
  • Condition: Clean, pure brass is usually worth more than cleaned alloyed or covered brass. Scrap yards often pay more for clean, unalloyed brass free from iron, plastic, or other metals.

Brass is slightly more corrosion-resistant than copper, but even very tarnished or corroded brass can be recycled.

  • Market demand: Demand for the two main metals, copper and zinc, directly influences the price of brass. Industrial demand, world supply chains, and economic trends all play a part.

For example, when economies slow down, demand for brass and its price could drop.

The Environmental and Economic Benefits of Recycling Brass

Recycling brass is beneficial in both economic and environmental ways.

On the economic side, it provides additional income to individuals and companies. If you are a homeowner and have old brass fittings, or if you are a company and have brass scrap that you want to get rid of, you can make money by recycling it.

However, recycling brass also has some great environmental advantages:

  • Energy saving: Recycling brass requires far less energy than producing new brass from mined ores. This method has a lower carbon footprint and saves the Earth’s precious natural resources.
  • Waste reduction: Recycling brass reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, helping save precious landfill space and reducing environmental damage from waste disposal.
  • Sustainability: Recycled brass is essential to sustainability. During manufacturing, it allows for the continual reuse of materials, reducing the need for new mining and extraction of raw materials.

5. Is It Worth the Effort to Recycle Brass?

Whether or not to recycle brass depends on the quantity of brass you have and how much effort you want to put into recycling it.

Here are some points to consider:

  • Small amounts: If you have a few brass objects, such as old keys, door furniture, or ornaments, you might hold on to them until you have more brass to recycle or other scrap metal to recycle.
  • Larger amounts: Plumbing companies, electrical contractors, and construction firms – or even music schools – can turn a good profit from recycling their end-of-life brass. It adds up fast when you have pounds or tons of brass to offload.
  • Convenience: Recycling centers often have an easy drop-off process, and some also have pickup services for larger loads. Research local recycling options to find the most convenient and profitable way to recycle your brass.

Tips for Recycling Brass

To maximize the value and efficiency of recycling brass, consider the following tips:

  • Separate your metals: Before you take your brass to your local recycler, separate it from your other metals. Brass alone will fetch you the best price, and the recycler will also need to sort it out from the other metals (generally only worth a couple of cents) anyway. Brass without any other metals or attachments will get you the best deal.
  • Scrub the brass: If you have items made of brass, remove any dirt, paint, or non-metallic contaminants to increase their value. If your brass has paint on it, use a paint stripper to clean it off. Do so carefully and in a well-ventilated space.
  • Know your brass: Learn about the different types of brass, such as yellow and red brass. Knowing what type of brass you have can help determine its value and give you leverage when haggling with scrap yards.
  • Contact local scrap yards to check current prices: Brass prices change often, so it’s worth checking out current market prices before recycling. Some scrap yards post their prices online, or you can call them for a quote.
  • Do your homework: Not all recycling centers pay the same or accept the same materials. They may also have different business hours and restrictions on what materials they accept. Research local scrap yards or recycling centers, read reviews, and find one that pays well and is reliable.
  • Bulk recycling: You can often get a better price per pound when you recycle scrap in bulk.
  • Ask If They Pick Up: If you have a bulk amount of brass, ask if they pick it up. Scrap metal removal is a valuable service that takes a lot of the hard work out of the process.

Get Money for Brass Scrap

There’s value in brass, and recycling it can be a lucrative way to earn extra cash.

So, the next time you have scrap brass, recycle it! It’ll make you money and help preserve our natural resources.

Contact Scrap Gators in Fort Pierce, FL., to find out what your brass is worth and to learn more about their scrap metal removal services.