Household Items Worth Scrapping – What to Keep and What to Skip
Published 22 March 2026
Before skipping your next house clearance, check these common household items that contain valuable scrap metal worth selling.
Most people throw away hundreds of pounds of scrap metal in a typical house clearance. If you know what to look for, a single clear-out can put a meaningful amount of money in your bank account.
Copper Plumbing (High Value)
Old copper pipe, fittings, and cylinders from plumbing are among the most valuable finds in any home. Strip off any plastic push-fit fittings and remove lagging from tanks before selling.
Typical value: £3.80–£5.00/kg depending on cleanliness.
Electrical Cable (Medium-High Value)
Mains electrical cable contains copper wire. Thick single-core cable (6mm or 10mm) is worth stripping for Bare Bright copper. Standard twin-and-earth can be sold as insulated wire without stripping.
Typical value: £1.20–£4.80/kg depending on type and thickness.
Old Radiators (Medium Value)
Steel panel radiators are ferrous and fetch low prices. Old-fashioned column radiators from Victorian or Edwardian homes may be copper or cast iron — worth checking before discarding.
Aluminium Window Frames and Doors
Strip out any glass and rubber seals before selling. Aluminium pays significantly more than steel.
Typical value: £0.84–£1.26/kg.
Alloy Wheels
Aluminium alloy wheels from cars are worth scrapping individually. Remove tyres before presenting to the yard.
Typical value: £0.80–£1.20/kg.
Car Batteries
Lead acid batteries from cars and vans contain recoverable lead and are accepted at most scrap yards. Present them whole — do not break them open.
Typical value: £8–£15 each depending on size.
Catalytic Converters
If you are scrapping an old car, the catalytic converter is often the highest-value component, containing platinum-group metals. Values vary from £30 to over £500 by vehicle model. Always get a specific quote for the catalyst separately.
What to Skip
Low-value items include galvanised steel, small quantities of mixed wire that cannot be separated, and items with significant non-metal attachments. Concentrate on copper, aluminium, and lead — these make up the vast majority of domestic scrap value.