Plumbing brass scrap typically brings about $1.50-$3.50 per pound at U.S. scrap yards, with clean, sorted brass often earning more than mixed or contaminated pieces. Plumbing brass scrap price depends on the alloy, local yard rates, quantity, and whether steel, plastic, solder, or other attachments need removal.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mixed plumbing brass | $1.50/lb | $2.40/lb | $3.25/lb | Unsorted fittings and valves |
| Clean yellow brass | $2.00/lb | $3.00/lb | $3.75/lb | Common fittings and pipe parts |
| Red brass | $2.25/lb | $3.40/lb | $4.25/lb | Higher-copper alloy; yard classification varies |
| Brass faucets | $1.25/lb | $2.25/lb | $3.25/lb | Lower if handles or cartridges remain |
What plumbing brass scrap pays per pound
For a typical household cleanout, a few pounds of brass fittings may return roughly $5-$20; a contractor’s sorted bucket weighing 50 pounds could bring $100-$185 at common clean-brass rates. Small loads may not qualify for the top posted grade, and some yards use a minimum weight or a mixed-metal category.
Budget around $2-$3 per pound for ordinary, clean plumbing brass. The ranges above are practical estimates, not guaranteed live quotes; commodity prices and yard buying policies change. Assumptions: U.S. walk-in scrap yard, ordinary access, no unusually high-volume contract pricing.
How fittings, valves, and faucets affect the yard quote
Scrap yards commonly sort plumbing items by alloy and preparation. A clean, identifiable brass fitting can receive a better grade than a complete faucet with a steel stem, plastic cartridge, or rubber seals. Mixed plumbing scrap may be discounted because the yard must spend time sorting it.
| Plumbing scrap category | Typical rate | What can change the payout |
|---|---|---|
| Clean yellow brass fittings | $2.00-$3.75/lb | Steel screws or solder lower the grade |
| Red brass valves or cast parts | $2.25-$4.25/lb | Yard may require alloy identification |
| Complete faucets and fixtures | $1.25-$3.25/lb | Handles, cartridges, and hoses add non-brass weight |
| Brass with steel or plastic attached | $0.75-$2.25/lb | Often bought as mixed or dirty brass |
Preparation and classification can matter as much as the item’s name. Ask the yard how it grades faucets, water meters, and valves before stripping or transporting them.
Why alloy, attachments, and load size change the rate
Red brass can contain more copper than common yellow brass, but appearance alone is not a reliable grade test. Some yards accept red brass only when the material is clearly separated. Brass-plated steel is not solid brass and generally earns a much lower price or is rejected from brass grades.
Attachments also affect the scale weight. For example, a 10-pound faucet assembly that contains only 6 pounds of recoverable brass may be paid as mixed material, not as 10 pounds of clean brass. Larger, well-sorted loads can sometimes qualify for a negotiated rate, while a small bucket may receive the yard’s standard walk-in price.
Separate solid brass from plated metal, and keep distinct alloys apart when the yard requests it. Do not cut or dismantle pressurized, gas-connected, or electrically connected equipment without appropriate safeguards.
When 25 pounds or 100 pounds changes the total
At $2.25 per pound, 25 pounds of accepted brass would gross about $56; at $3.25 per pound, the same weight would bring about $81. A 100-pound clean load at $2.75-$3.50 per pound would gross $275-$350. These are scale-based estimates before any deductions or transportation expense.
Weight and grade determine the gross payout, while travel and preparation determine the net value. If gathering the material takes several hours, the time has an opportunity cost even when no contractor fee applies. For example, 2 hours of sorting valued at $20 per hour represents $40 of time, which can outweigh the difference between two nearby yard offers.
How city and rural scrap yards price brass
Prices can differ by yard even within the same state. Competition, processing capacity, transport distance to a metal processor, and local demand all influence offers. As a rough comparison, a competitive metro yard may pay 5%-15% above a remote-area offer for the same grade; in some markets the rural yard may instead offer more if it has stronger local demand or lower operating costs.
Compare same-day quotes from at least two nearby yards using the same material description. Ask whether the posted rate is for clean yellow brass, red brass, or mixed plumbing brass, and confirm if a minimum load or account requirement applies.
What removing handles, cartridges, and steel is worth
Basic sorting can raise the rate when it moves material from mixed brass into a clean category, but dismantling every fixture is not always economical. Removing a steel hose, plastic cartridge, or obvious steel fastener may be quick; separating seized parts can take longer than the added payout justifies.
Some yards buy water meters, brass radiators, or large valves under separate categories. A meter may contain a brass body but also glass, plastic, or steel, so its whole-item rate can be lower than clean brass. Call ahead before removing parts that could be restricted, sealed, or classified separately.
Do only the preparation the buyer rewards, and keep the removed metal sorted for its own grade. Scrap handling should not involve cutting into sealed components or equipment that may contain hazardous substances.
Three plumbing scrap loads and their estimated payouts
| Example load | Weight and assumed rate | Estimated gross |
|---|---|---|
| Clean fitting bucket | 12 lb at $2.50-$3.25/lb | $30-$39 |
| Sorted contractor brass | 50 lb at $2.75-$3.50/lb | $138-$175 |
| Mixed fixture load | 80 lb at $1.25-$2.25/lb | $100-$180 |
These examples show why the scale weight alone cannot predict a payout. Actual offers depend on inspection, the yard’s grade definitions, and the day’s buying schedule. Confirm the net rate before unloading, especially when a load includes non-brass components.
How to get a better brass scrap offer without extra expense
Call yards with an accurate description and approximate weight, then ask for the current per-pound rate and whether it applies to walk-in customers. Photographing the sorted categories can help clarify whether fittings, valves, or faucet bodies will be accepted as clean brass. Weighing the load at home gives a useful estimate, but the yard scale is final.
Combine a small quantity with other already-sorted scrap only if it does not contaminate the brass grade. Avoid spending money on special tools or extensive disassembly unless a yard confirms that cleaner material earns enough extra to cover the work. The best low-cost approach is usually sorting, checking today’s grade rules, and comparing local offers.