Ways to Make Money Using Scrap

Are you looking for ways to add to your income stream? If you want to make money on a casual basis, you might want to consider trading scrap for cash. Getting cash for wires, aluminium, and other metals can be a one-time venture. Or, if you're willing to put in the legwork, you can boost your monthly budget using scrap. Here are some ways for you to get started.

Know What's Valuable

Before you start looking for potential scrap to sell, you need to know what's valuable. You might be surprised to learn that volume isn't always the route to success. For example, large pieces of sheet metal may hold much less value than small sections of copper. By performing a little market research, you can understand what to aim for. For example, you can get a lot of cash for scrap wires because of their copper content. Copper isn't always easy to mine, so it holds a lot of scrap value. If you already have some scrap dealers in mind, contact them to see what they're looking for.

Understand Your Goods

Don't just take a blind approach by assuming that all your metal-containing household goods are worth something to a scrap dealer. You may end up wasting time that you could focus on sourcing metal from elsewhere. Instead, research each item to figure out what types of metals they contain. You can then prioritise those that hold a lot of the metals that prospective dealers are looking to secure.

Look for Hidden Sources

When you start digging deep into the items around your home, you might find surprising sources of metal. For example, some food containers feature a lot of aluminium. Try keeping them to one side before you start adding them to your usual recycling collection. Similarly, if the time has come to replace old window frames, check to see if they feature aluminium before you throw them away. Consistently looking for hidden sources of scrap around your home ensures you don't miss out on any opportunities to make extra money.

Try Donating in Bulk

Sorting through scrap can become time-intensive for the person who is buying from you. You may find that you secure better prices by donating in bulk. Similarly, you might attract an improved quote by sorting through the scrap yourself. Try to avoid taking your scrap to a dealer in small batches wherever possible. If you're aware of a friend or family member throwing items out, ask them if they'd like to join you in your scrap venture so you can boost the value.