Odd Scrap Items? They’re All Over!

Water Heaters

We are constantly answering questions through emails, chats, and our Facebook Group about different types of scrap and weird items that they come across, so let’s go over a few. 

We know that water heaters might not sound funny to scrap, but many have little secrets. If you’re lucky enough to know what to look for, sometimes you can find large copper coils inside of the water heaters to be able to unscrew and scrap separately. You have to watch out for insulation or water that could be left inside the heaters. We have heard stories about scrappers leaving water or ice during the winters… and scrap yards have kicked them out.

Fuses and Breakers

Circuit Breakers - scrap metal prices

Circuit Breakers can be tough to sell sometimes but can often be very profitable if you know what to look for. Some can be resold, but many that may be busted or broken can have a nice amount of copper inside. If you sell single-pole breakers as-is, they will be very cheap, with prices often less than $0.10 per lb (even when copper levels are high).

Fuses are another great item to scrap, but you better have long sleeves on when dealing with them. If you can cut the tinned copper ends off of them, you will have a nice extra score. But be aware that inside of them, there tends to be a sand-like substance that almost acts as itching powder (we may or may not know from experience, haha). 

Going From Scrap To Unusual Items

We have seen so many little statues and self-made ornaments made from scrap metal that it is crazy. Some people’s talent makes one smile—that is, until it gets damaged and then scrapped. There have been so many cool items to come through scrap yards, from full bronzes to old cars and old toys. Many scrap yards have little collections of these things, but there tend to be too many things that come in to save.

Some scrappers have made a part-time hobby out of reselling these or making them into fun projects, but we have seen a lot of people recycle them and be done with them. From brass statues to Christmas light-laced deer…scrap is all over.

AC Units

Okay, we know that these are not weird, but figuring out how to take them apart correctly and efficiently is always challenging. Knowing which ones are all aluminum vs. copper/aluminum and whether the freon is out or the oil is drained are all big questions. 

Suggested Reading: How Do You Scrap An Air Conditioner?

Knowing how to handle potential problems with oil being left inside or freon not being properly drained is an environmental issue, and doing things correctly is the only way to scrap these with peace of mind. It is weird to think about reaching out to other parties to help you do your scrapping for a window or ground AC unit, but it is a necessary evil. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_jrvvzIfaQ

Do you Know Of Any Weird Scrap?

Let us know what you think and some weird items you have scrapped so we can share your stories with others!