Top 10 Household Items You Can Scrap for Cash in 2025

Turn Everyday Items into Scrap for Cash

That rusty radiator in your garage? The old laptop gathering dust in the loft? They might be worth more than you think. With scrap metal prices on the rise in the UK, there’s money hiding in your home, if you know where to look. Whether you’re decluttering, renovating, or just fancy a few extra quid, here are ten everyday items that could earn you decent money when weighed in at your local scrap yard.

Before you load up the boot, check out our Scrap Metal Value Estimator to get a quick estimate of what your haul might be worth.

1. Copper Pipes & Plumbing Fittings

Where to find them: Bathrooms, kitchens, airing cupboards, lofts (old hot water tanks and piping).
What’s inside: High-grade copper.
Estimated value: ~£5.50–£6.20 per kg.
Top tip: Clean copper (free of solder, paint, and fittings) is worth more. Strip any attached brass or plastic to get the best rate.

Copper is one of the highest-value metals you’re likely to find around the house, especially during renovations or boiler upgrades.

2. Old Radiators (Steel or Aluminium)

Where to find them: Heating systems, garage spares, loft clearances.
What’s inside: Steel or aluminium.
Estimated value: Steel ~£0.14/kg, Aluminium ~£1.10/kg.
Top tip: Aluminium rads (usually from newer systems) are lighter but more valuable by weight. Drain and clean them first.

Rads are heavy, so even at a low rate per kg, they can still earn you a tidy sum.

3. Electrical Cables & Extension Leads

Where to find them: Drawers, garages, under desks, renovation leftovers.
What’s inside: Copper wires, often insulated in plastic.
Estimated value: £0.80–£1.50/kg as 'household cable'.
Top tip: Strip the insulation if you have time and tools – bare copper pays more. Or, weigh it in as-is for quick cash.

Got a pile of unused chargers, extension leads, or speaker wire? Bag them up – it all adds up.

4. Washing Machines & Dishwashers

Where to find them: Utility rooms, sheds, garages, or left on driveways after an upgrade.
What’s inside: Steel, copper (motors and wires), stainless steel drums.
Estimated value: £5–£15 per unit, depending on weight and parts.
Top tip: Remove the motor and wiring to boost value, or weigh in whole for ease.

Big, bulky, and metal-heavy – these appliances are ideal for scrapping, especially if they're too costly to repair.

5. Old Laptops & PCs

Where to find them: Lofts, cupboards, under beds, or at the back of your office.
What’s inside: Aluminium casing, copper wiring, and small amounts of precious metals (gold in circuit boards).
Estimated value: £2–£5 per unit; more if stripped for parts.
Top tip: Remove RAM, power supply, and hard drives to sell separately or increase scrap yield.

Electronics recycling pays off, especially when you add up a few devices.

6. Microwaves & Small Appliances

Where to find them: Kitchens, garden sheds, student flats.
What’s inside: Steel casing, copper transformers, small motors.
Estimated value: £2–£8 per item.
Top tip: Look for the heavy copper transformer inside – worth far more when separated.

Appliances that no longer work can still work for you. Even toasters have value!

7. Garden Tools & Metal Furniture

Where to find them: Sheds, garages, patios.
What’s inside: Mostly steel or aluminium.
Estimated value: ~£0.15–£1.10/kg.
Top tip: Remove non-metal parts like wood handles or rubber grips. Fold flat if possible to save space.

Broken spades, rusty parasol stands, or worn-out chairs? Stack 'em and scrap 'em.

8. Bicycles (Steel or Aluminium)

Where to find them: Sheds, garages, Facebook Marketplace freebies.
What’s inside: Steel or aluminium frames, some copper in brake lines.
Estimated value: £5–£10 per bike.
Top tip: Aluminium-framed bikes are lighter but more valuable per kilo than steel ones.

Bikes that are beyond repair still have metal worth. Children's bikes count too.

9. Cookware (Pots, Pans, Trays)

Where to find them: Kitchen clear-outs, cupboard backs.
What’s inside: Stainless steel, aluminium, and sometimes copper bases.
Estimated value: ~£0.60–£1.10/kg.
Top tip: Avoid painted or non-stick cookware, which may fetch less. Solid metal is best.

Time for a non-stick upgrade? Scrap the old roasting tins while you’re at it.

10. Car Batteries & Power Tool Batteries

Where to find them: Garages, toolboxes, project cars.
What’s inside: Lead, and in some cases nickel or lithium.
Estimated value: ~£1.10/kg for lead-acid batteries.
Top tip: Handle carefully. Store upright and never try to dismantle them yourself.

Batteries are worth decent money, especially larger ones from vehicles or heavy-duty tools.

Items Not Worth Scrapping (but people try)

• TVs: Bulky, low metal content, often not accepted.

• Mattresses: Springs might be metal, but not worth the hassle.

• Rusty garden fencing: Often rejected unless properly cut and sorted.

How to Maximise Your Scrap Value

Before heading to the yard, try these:

• Use our Scrap Metal Value Estimator to calculate your load’s worth.

• Separate metals – copper, brass, aluminium, and steel should never be mixed.

• Remove non-metal parts for cleaner, higher-value scrap.

• Always call ahead to check what your local yard accepts – or bring it down to C. Fullard Metals in Willenhall for a fair deal.

*Prices correct as of May 2025. Scrap values fluctuate daily based on market conditions.