Scrap Metal from Renovated Kitchens & Bathrooms

Two of the rooms with the most metal in any house are kitchens and bathrooms. From plumbing, appliances, and fittings to structural components, one renovation can remove a great deal of copper, steel, stainless steel, and brass. Renovation debris, unlike regular household trash, is frequently concentrated, and it's fairly simple to sort out, making it perfect for recycling as opposed to landfill disposal.

When you're having a kitchen remodel, you will find several different types, and each type of metal has a different value in the recycling industry.

It's typically the appliance that consumes the most. Old ovens, rangehoods, dishwashers and fridges have a steel body and copper wiring and motors inside. A stripped-down appliance has a value even when it is dead.

Another big source is sinks and taps. Stainless steel sinks are very recyclable, and taps and mixers frequently have brass fittings under their chrome top, which add value to them.

One of the most valuable materials throughout the entire replumbing process is the copper pipe recycling that is taken out. Copper has a high scrap value and is nearly always better collected separately than with other waste.

Steel brackets, cupboard hinges, and support framing behind cupboards contribute to the weight of the cabinet hardware and framing, although they might seem insignificant when looked at individually.

Bathrooms are the same but with a few extras. The type of material used to make the old bathtubs or shower bases often determines their value as scrap, with an enameled steel or cast iron base being heavy, dense, and very useful. Steel and brass fittings are usually found within the flushing mechanism of toilet cisterns. Taps, shower fittings, and towel rails are often chrome-plated brass or stainless steel scrap recycling material. In the kitchen, plumbing items that are removed during the replump are some of the most valuable objects taken off the entire project, and often that's exactly how it is in the bathroom as well.

The majority of renovation waste is combined in a single skip bin, with the result that lots of valuable metal finds its way into the general rubbish, it's lost forever! It makes a difference to separate metals on-site, even if it's just for the time being.

As the renovation continues, it's important to keep any copper pipes, old taps, sinks, appliances, and any steel and brass fittings that can be seen in a separate pile. Many tradespeople will be able to put metal away if asked ahead of time, and many renovation and demolition contractors already do this as part of the job through a scheduled scrap metal pickup Melbourne service, as it helps to reduce landfill and skip bin waste.

After separating metal during a kitchen or bathroom upgrade, most homeowners and tradespeople will ask themselves one thing: what actually happens to the metal, and is it worth the effort? Yes, but read on to find out why.

Renovation scrap is recycled in much the same manner as any other metal, only on a smaller scale than a demolition site. First, all the appliances are stripped to remove the steel casings, copper wiring, and motor parts, which have varying values. Sinks, taps, and fittings are separated by material; stainless steel is separated from brass and chrome-plated fittings. Where necessary, clean copper pipework is stripped of any fittings, solder, and/or insulation, as clean copper is considered to give a higher price than mixed or contaminated copper. Each item is then weighed and graded before being processed and sent on to be melted down and reused in new items.

Most bathtubs, shower bases, and cast iron are processed separately because they are heavy, but they are still worth something, especially cast iron, which is dense and easily recycled.

The worth of renovation scrap will change in accordance with the kind of metal and its state; however, there are a few materials that are always well worth far more.

Almost invariably, the one most valuable item recovered from a reno is copper pipework, particularly if it is clean and free of fittings. Brass fittings of taps and toilet mechanisms are also worth a lot of money, although they're frequently ignored due to their chrome plating. Heavy stainless steel sinks and fixture parts can cost a lot, and even old stainless steel cast iron tubs or parts are not something that should be disregarded.

None of these are, on their own, a renovation that will achieve a profit; however, combined, these can reduce the cost of hiring skip bins, disposal fees, and even labor costs to make a profit while they keep a significant amount of material out of landfill.

There are a few simple things you can do that make a huge difference to what you recover.

When tradespeople are in your space, tell them to collect the metal on the side instead of in your general trash; most of them will be glad to do it if you request it before they begin work. Avoid exposing copper to steel and mixed metals, as clean copper is sold at a much higher price than mixed loads. If the appliance is still in good condition but just needs the casing to be removed, do not just give it to the junkyard. Do not take a caseless old appliance to the junkyard if it could be stripped first, increasing the value of the appliance.

If you're doing the work yourself, it's also a good idea to contact your local recycler to find out their specific preferences for sorting metal for drop-off, as requirements can differ slightly between individual recyclers. Our guide on how scrap metal collection services work covers what to expect when booking an on-site pickup, and our piece on copper recycling Melbourne goes further into what plumbers pull from a replumb.

In fact, there's a surprising amount of recyclable metal hiding in your kitchen and bathroom: copper piping, stainless steel, brass fittings, and steel from old appliances are just a few of the items that can be recovered. By separating it, rather than putting it in a skip bin, something that would otherwise be viewed as waste is actually providing real value and helping to achieve a more sustainable renovation process on the whole.