Understanding the Scrap Metal Prices in Bradford
Understanding the scrap metal prices in Bradford is crucial to give an accurate estimate as to the value of your metal haul before driving to your local dealership. Scrap metal prices are broadly similar from city to city in the UK, however, each different pence per KG can make a big difference to the value of your scrap metal when you sell it.
We find that there are two key variables that influence scrap metal prices:
- Weight of Scrap Metal
- Location
Therefore, we have compiled the latest scrap metal prices in Bradford for you to make an informed decision on which scrap metal to source and sell. Generally, the most common scrap metal to recycle and sell is Aluminium, Copper, Brass, Steel, Iron, Lead, Batteries, Catalytic Converters, which we have included the prices for below.
The scrap metal prices in Bradford are priced from a variety of different sources, submissions from scrap metal sellers like yourselves, and from local scrap metal dealers we have contact with. Therefore, the prices of scrap metal in Bradford may differ in each dealership, but our valuations are averaged out to provide the most accurate general prices for you. As ever, it is also worth taking a look at the LME prices, which will give you an indication of market movements in the general metal prices you will get in Bradford .
Current Scrap Metal Prices in Bradford
Bradford has a thriving manufacturing industry, which drives demand for scrap metal, thus driving up the price of scrap metal in Bradford. Bradford even runs Bradford Manufacturing Week, run by the Bradford and Airedale Manufacturing Alliance.
Large metal manufacturing facilities are situated in Bradford, such as Metalcraft. All of these manufacturers ensure that there is local demand in Bradford for scrap metal, despite the area being relatively small. However, issues we see encountered are the relatively low % of scrap metal dealers in Bradford with international export connections and dealers rarely have processing equipment within Bradford which limits the total scrap metal demand. This is partially offset by the good city links which ensures that where the scrap metal is exported, it can be easily transported out of the city centre. On the whole, we find that the scrap metal prices in Bradford are circa. 2% below the national average, although this can vary between dealers; those like On The Dot which offers competitive prices alongside specialising in brass, copper, steel and iron will ensure that you get great prices in those metals, above the UK scrap metal price average.
Locations in Belfast where we see scrap metal demand are: New Leeds, Laisterdyke, Thornbury, Fagley.
Prices last updated 30th September, 2024
Scrap Metal Dealerships in Bradford
Some of the largest dealerships in Bradford, where you can be sure to get the best scrap metal prices are:
- Bradford Waste Traders
- Bradford Waste traders deals in both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, and has been trading since 1964
- They do not only offer top prices for standard scrap metal (aluminium, copper, lead, stainless steel), but can also help recycle electric motors
- Openly committed to efficiency, with 15 minute turnaround times after the metal has been weighed. That means you get the money for your scrap metal, FAST!
- Tel: 01274 724 151
- EMR Bradford
- EMR is the largest national scrap metal merchant, which we normally like to look over as we prefer working with smaller sized scrap metal dealers to ensure we get the best prices for scrap metal
- However, in Bradford, the demand for scrap metal is relatively limited with fewer dealerships and so EMR is a great alternative to get good scrap metal prices in Bradford
- Tel: 01274 663681
- On The Dot Skips
- On The Dot Skips has 50+ years of trading experience, offering some of the most competitive prices in Bradford
- Also provides factory clearance solutions
- However, focuses on only brass, steel, iron and copper
- Tel: 01274 723 626
- Bradford Waste Traders
- Bradford Waste Trader similarly focuses on iron, steel and copper across the entirety of West Yorkshire
- Also specialises in electric cable scrap prices, and motors
- Tel: 01274 726 033
- As ever also check out local Bradford scrap metal dealers on Yell and Gumtree, as they may have niche demand for your specific metal haul
What is Scrap Metal?
Scrap metal describes metal products that are no longer needed, which are capable of being recycled. These metal products vary in quality and material, which impacts the supply and demand of the metal products, in turn impacting the price.
It's important to know the worth of scrap metal, as many do not, and regularly throw their computers, wiring, piping, cars, cans, without realising their potential lost gains. The most common forms of scrap metal are Aluminium, Copper, Lead, Iron, Catalytic Converters, Batteries. To dig deeper into the types of scrap metal:
Aluminium can be of three different types:
a. Extruded Aluminium
- - Aluminium extrusion is exactly what the name tells you – it is a form of aluminium which has been extruded/pushed through a mold into a shape
- It is important to note that the scrap metal price for extruded aluminium is not fixed, as it will depend on the grade of aluminium that it is (5000, 6061, 6063 series)
- Extruded aluminium forms the market for c.50% of total extruded metal products and so is considerably used.
b. Cast Aluminium
- Again, these are generally found in molds, but differ in that the aluminium is poured in as molten aluminium
- This might be seen in outdoor furniture, car parts which are clean, cast grills
c. Aluminium Turnings
- These are a lower quality form of Aluminium, which are shavings of aluminium which are produced in the manufacturing process
- Although they do tend to be of a lower quality, there are still variations and so it is important to get a scrap metal price from your local dealer
Copper is commonly split into:
a. Bare Bright Copper
- This is the most expensive form of copper
- ‘Bare bright’ refers to the metal being uncoated or unalloyed
- It is always referring to wire or cable, which must be a minimum of a 1/16 inch in diameter
- This is the highest quality form of copper and so it is copper #1
b. Copper #1
- This is of the same quality as bare bright copper, and it is also unalloyed and uncoated (also including trace oxidation)
- However, it also includes copper piping, clippings, bus bars as well as wire
c. Copper #2
- This is copper which is unalloyed, but can be coated (paint or any other coating other than insulation)
- 94-96% purity of copper
d. Copper Tanks
- Copper tankers are essentially boilers, made of copper
- These are typically the older forms of boilers, and have a pretty sizeable weight of 30kg+, thus making them pretty quick earners. A highly valuable piece to source and sell
e. Braziery Copper
- This is one of the lowest quality forms of Copper, and can be soldered or painted
- 95% purity of copper, without any Iron
f. Copper Insulated Wire #1
- This is Copper wire that is unalloyed, uncoated, and would be Copper #1 without insulation
- Must be a thickness gauge of +16
g. Copper Insulated Wire #2
- This is Copper wire that is unalloyed, and would be Copper #2 without insulation
- Usually, a thickness gauge of -16
- This wire is typically seen in standard electronic wiring in residential homes
Brass can be either
a. Clean Brass
- Clean brass does not include any other metals or plastics, and so is as the name describes: pure brass
- However, do not fret: the brass can include certain small %’s of metals as long as they are trace
- This will greatly determine the value of your brass, and will be determined by your local dealership
b. Mixed Brass
- Mixed brass is brass containing other metals, glass or plastics
Stainless steel is:
a. Stainless Steel 316
- 316 stainless steel is a highly strong and durable stainless steel material, which is austenitic Chromium and Nickel stainless steel
- This is similar to the 18/8 stainless steel, but differs in that there is 16% chromium, 10% Nickel and 2% Molybdenum: thus 2% of Molybdenum replaces 2% of the Chromium
- You’ll normally find this type of metal in food processing machinery, boats, and scientific uses as it is non-reactive to water/moisture
b. Stainless Steel 18/8
- 18-8 is a grade of stainless steel. The 18 refers to Chromium and the 8 refers to Nickel, so that there is 18% Chromium and 8% Nickel
Some miscellaneous scrap metals to consider:
a. Lead
- Lead has a decent scrap metal value, as it is utilised for a wide variety of applications
- Lead is still commonly used in construction, plumbing, ammunition
- Be extra careful! Lead poisoning is a real thing, and so handle lead with care
b. PB Battery
- Lead-acid batteries are hugely common, as they are typically used in vehicles to power the electronics and the starter
c. Electric Motors
- Electric motors will be found widely, but most commonly will be seen in washing machines and alternators
- The prices do vary substantially though based on the metals used to form the electric motor. Whilst they are usually copper, they can also be aluminium
d. White Goods
- White goods can be from any typically residential electronics: fridges, dishwashers, freezers etc.
- Broken white goods are frequently being thrown out by homeowners and so these are a great item to collect to boost the price of your scrap metal haul
It does not matter the source of these metals, as long as they have been legally acquired, meaning they can be either residentially or commercially sourced. In order to ensure that metals have been legally acquired, the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 was introduced. For sellers, this means that they can no longer sell scrap metal for cash as transactions could not be tracked effectively. Therefore, all sales of scrap metal must be made by bank transfer or by cheque.
See also: Scrap Metal Prices in the US