Household Scrap Metal Items: Unearth Hidden Treasures in Your Home

Are you aware of the treasure trove of house scrap metal items that may lie around your home? From the stainless steel in your kitchen appliances to the copper piping hidden within your walls, these materials are more than just junk—they are recyclable assets that could result in extra cash. Selling scrap metal to your local scrap yard or recycling center not only helps you declutter but also plays a significant role in promoting sustainability.

Scrap metalling isn’t just for large-scale industries; homeowners in areas like Boise, Nampa, Meridian, and Caldwell can also participate in this eco-friendly practice. It’s a simple, impactful way to contribute to a sustainable environment and potentially receive some monetary gain.

A woman preparing to recycle home scrap metal in Boise, Idaho.

What is Considered Scrap Metal?

Scrap metal consists of metal or alloy products that have outlived their initial utility. Items that are often overlooked but can be sold as scrap include common metals like aluminum and copper, and other metals such as brass, as well as ferrous materials like steel and iron.

These materials can be neglected in various forms, from obsolete car parts to unusable pots and pans, yet they carry a market value that scrap metal recycling centers are keen to tap into. Collecting these valuable scrap metals from around your home and taking them to a scrap metal place can be surprisingly rewarding.

Why Recycling Scrap Metal?

The environmental benefits of recycling scrap metal are vast and impactful. By recycling metals, we conserve vital resources and energy needed for producing new metals from scratch. This conservation leads to reduced carbon emissions and diminished demand on our Earth’s already overburdened natural resources.

The process also ensures that less scrap ends up in landfills where it can take centuries to decompose. Plus, recycling scrap metal stimulates the economy by providing local scrap yards and recycling centers with materials that can be processed and sold on the scrap metal market, a sector with a robust and ever-growing global demand.

Types of Scrap Metals

When breaking down types of scrap metals, they are generally distinguished between two principal categories. These two categories are given below.

Ferrous Metals

This category includes iron and steel, found in objects like metal furniture, automotive parts, and even some kitchen appliances. Due to their strength and durability, ferrous metals are widely used, but their weight and susceptibility to rust differentiate them from their non-ferrous counterparts.

Non-Ferrous Metals

Comprising metals such as aluminum, copper, brass, and other metals like zinc and lead, non-ferrous metals are prevalent in household items. They’re typically lighter and more corrosion-resistant than ferrous metals, making them highly sought after in the recycling scrap metal industry.

Common Scrap Metal Household Items

Many everyday items commonly found around the home can be sold as scrap metal. Listed below are some examples.

  • Copper: Wires, copper pipes, and plumbing fixtures are rich sources of copper, and your unused copper yokes can be of significant value.
  • Aluminum: This versatile, non-ferrous metal can be found in everything from soda cans and baking pans to outdoor furniture and car parts like fan blades.
  • Brass: Keep an eye out for brass fixtures, ornaments, and brass faucets, which can often be harvested from plumbing systems.
  • Steel: The strength of steel makes it common in household items like tools and certain pieces of furniture, while old appliances may also yield steel scrap.
  • Stainless Steel: Known for its corrosion resistance, stainless steel is often seen in kitchenware, including stainless steel sinks, and often overlooked items like stainless steel mixing bowls or kitchen appliances.
  • Cast Iron: Useful in cookware such as pots, pans, and especially treasured items like cast iron skillets.


Scour your home for old appliances, any metal furniture, or any other materials that might be recyclable. Even things like iron skillets and brass faucets that you might consider worn out can be sold for their scrap value.

Recycle Your Metal Scraps Today

When it’s time to rid your home of unwanted metal items, it’s comforting to know there are teams ready to help. In the Boise, Nampa, Meridian, and Caldwell areas, there are organizations that provide specialized services to properly collect and recycle scrap metal.

Partnering with a professional scrap metal recycler ensures that your household metal waste doesn’t just become another pollutant. Instead, it’s reprocessed and repurposed for future use, all the while contributing to local recycling efforts. By entrusting your scrap metal to expert recycler teams, you’re making a positive community and environmental impact.

Remember, the metallic items scattered throughout your home have a life beyond their intended use. From old patio furniture to defunct electronics, there’s potential for rebirth through scrap metal recycling.

The next time you’re considering a home clear-out or stumble upon an old metallic artifact in your garage, take a moment to recognize its value as scrap metal. Your seemingly insignificant piece of metal might just be part of a much larger, environmentally-beneficial picture. 

For more information about how to remove unwanted metal from your home, contact our team at Junk Holler today!

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