Scrap is any metal item you no longer want that can be melted down and reused - and almost every household in London produces more of it than they realise. An old boiler, a broken washing machine, a rusted garden gate, offcuts of copper pipe after a bathroom job, a dead microwave, cast-iron radiators pulled out during a renovation: all of it is scrap metal with a recycling value.
The trouble is that the scrap trade has a reputation - part of it earned - for cash deals, dodgy "rag and bone" collectors and stolen metal. That is exactly why the law changed. This guide explains what scrap actually is, why some of it is worth real money, the rules every legitimate dealer now follows, and how to get your scrap collected in London without falling foul of the law or a rogue trader. If your metal is buried in a wider clear-out, our waste removal and rubbish removal services can take the lot.
What Counts as Scrap Metal?
Scrap metal splits into two families, and the difference decides almost everything about its value. Ferrous metals contain iron and are magnetic - steel, cast iron and most structural metal. Non-ferrous metals contain no iron, are not magnetic, and are far more valuable - copper, brass, aluminium, lead, zinc and stainless steel. A simple fridge-magnet test tells you which camp a piece of metal is in.
Ferrous (lower value)
Steel appliances, radiators, garden furniture, tools, car body panels, RSJs and structural steel, old bikes.
Non-ferrous (higher value)
Copper pipe and cable, brass fittings and taps, aluminium, lead flashing, stainless steel sinks, car catalytic converters.
Note that some metal items are legally not ordinary scrap: catalytic converters and vehicle parts carry theft controls, gas bottles and pressurised cylinders are hazardous, and anything containing refrigerant gas (fridges, freezers, air-conditioning units) must be handled under separate WEEE rules, which we cover below.
Why Is Some Scrap Metal Worth Money?
Recycled metal is cheaper and far less carbon-intensive to produce than metal smelted from freshly mined ore, so there is a genuine global market for it. Yards buy scrap by weight, grade it, and sell it on to be re-melted. Prices move daily with commodity markets, so treat any figure as a rough guide rather than a promise - a yard's rate this week may differ from last week.
| Metal type | Relative value | Common household sources |
|---|---|---|
| Bright copper | Highest | Clean pipe, wiring cores |
| Brass | High | Taps, valves, fittings |
| Aluminium | Medium | Window frames, cans, ladders |
| Stainless steel | Medium | Sinks, splashbacks, cutlery |
| Ferrous / mixed steel | Lowest | Appliances, radiators, furniture |
The honest reality for most households: a single old washing machine or a couple of radiators is mostly low-value ferrous steel, so once you factor in the hassle of stripping, weighing and driving it to a yard, the cash it fetches is small. Serious value only appears with clean, sorted, non-ferrous metal in quantity - which is why builders and plumbers keep their copper separate.
There is also a condition and cleanliness factor. Yards pay more for "clean" copper than for copper still sheathed in plastic insulation, and mixed or dirty loads are graded down. Contamination matters too: a bin of steel with plastic, wood and rubber attached is worth less than the same weight of clean metal, because the yard has to pay to separate it. If you genuinely want the best price, sort by metal type, strip off obvious non-metal parts, and take a full load rather than dribs and drabs - though for most people the time that takes outweighs the return on a few household items.
Why Can't a Scrap Dealer Pay Me Cash?
Because it is against the law. The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 was introduced to strangle the trade in stolen metal - the epidemic of stripped church roofs, stolen cabling and railway theft that peaked when metal prices soared. Under section 12 of the Act, it is a criminal offence for a scrap metal dealer to pay for scrap in cash, and there are no exemptions. Payment must be made either by electronic bank transfer or by a non-transferable ("crossed") cheque made out to a named person - both of which leave a paper trail.
The Act also made licensing compulsory. No one may trade as a scrap metal dealer without a licence issued by the local authority, and there are two types: a site licence for a fixed yard, and a collector's licence for a mobile collector working a council's area. To grant a licence the council must be satisfied the applicant is a suitable person, and applicants must supply the bank account used for those traceable payments.
If someone offers you cash for scrap, walk away
A trader paying cash is breaking the law and is unlikely to be licensed - which means you have no idea where your metal, or any electrical waste with it, will end up. Insist on a licensed dealer and a traceable payment or transfer note. It protects you as much as it protects them.
Free vs Paid: How Should I Get Rid of Scrap in London?
There are three sensible routes, and the right one depends on how much scrap you have, how clean it is, and whether it is mixed in with other junk.
| Route | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Recycling centre (tip) | Free | Small, clean scrap you can transport yourself |
| Licensed scrap yard | You may be paid | Larger loads of sorted, valuable metal |
| Man-and-van collection | From ~£60 | Heavy appliances, mixed junk, no transport |
For a boot-load of clean copper or brass, a licensed yard that pays by bank transfer is the way to actually pocket some money. For a couple of small items you can move, the free tip run is simplest. But when the "scrap" is really a broken American fridge, a cast-iron bath and a pile of general rubbish from a garage clear-out, paying a licensed man and van to lift and remove the whole lot in one visit almost always beats multiple trips and dead-lifting appliances down a flight of stairs. We handle it alongside house clearance and garden waste removal across London.
What About Fridges, Washing Machines and Other White Goods?
Large appliances - fridges, freezers, washing machines, dishwashers, cookers - are metal-rich, but they are governed by WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) rules rather than treated as plain scrap. That matters most for anything with refrigerant gas: fridges, freezers and air-conditioning units must be de-gassed by a competent operator before the metal is recycled, because the gases are harmful to the environment if released. You cannot simply crush a fridge for scrap.
There are three legitimate options for old white goods in London. Recycling centres take them free at a dedicated WEEE bay. Retailers delivering a new appliance will usually take the old one away on a like-for-like basis - always ask at the point of sale. Or a licensed collection service will remove them from wherever they stand. Our appliance delivery and washing machine delivery teams can drop the new one and take the old unit away in the same visit.
Quick rule for appliances
If it plugs in, has a motor, or holds gas, treat it as WEEE, not scrap - it needs a proper disposal route, not a rag-and-bone man. A washing machine is happily collected as part of a rubbish removal job; a fridge needs de-gassing first.
How Do I Avoid a Rogue Scrap Collector?
The classic London scam is a "we'll clear your metal for free" collector who drives off, strips the valuable copper, and fly-tips whatever is left - the fridge, the mattress, the bags of rubbish - down a side street. When that dumped waste is traced back to your address, you are the one who faces the fine, not them.
This is your household duty of care under section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990: you remain responsible for your waste until it reaches a licensed destination. In 2026 the fixed penalty for a household duty-of-care breach rose to £600, and serious cases can go to court with unlimited fines. Protect yourself with three checks: confirm the collector is a licensed waste carrier or licensed scrap dealer, refuse any cash-only deal, and keep a receipt or transfer note showing where the waste went.
The Van Thats Quick promise
We are fully insured and handle all waste in line with Environment Agency duty-of-care rules, taking everything to licensed facilities - metal to recyclers, the rest to registered transfer stations. You get a clear collection with no fly-tipping risk.
Scrap and Junk Gone in One Visit
When old metal is tangled up with everything else you're clearing out, we load and remove the whole lot - appliances, radiators, furniture and bags - from anywhere on your property. Collections typically start from around £60, priced by volume and access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to pay cash for scrap metal in the UK?
Yes. Under section 12 of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 it is a criminal offence for a dealer to pay cash for scrap, with no exemptions. Legitimate payment must be by electronic bank transfer or a non-transferable cheque, so the transaction is traceable.
What is the most valuable household scrap metal?
Non-ferrous metals are worth the most, with clean copper at the top, followed by brass, then aluminium and stainless steel. Ferrous metal (steel and iron in appliances, radiators and furniture) is the least valuable. Prices change daily with commodity markets.
Can I take scrap metal to the tip in London for free?
Yes. London recycling centres accept household scrap metal free of charge from residents, subject to proof of address and any van permit or booking rules. See our London tip runs guide for the details.
Do I need a licence to sell my own scrap?
No - a licence is required to trade as a scrap metal dealer, not to sell your own household metal. But you should only ever sell to a licensed site or licensed collector, and expect to be paid by traceable transfer or cheque rather than cash.
Can you scrap a fridge or freezer?
Not as ordinary scrap. Fridges, freezers and air-conditioning units contain refrigerant gas and fall under WEEE rules, so they must be de-gassed by a competent operator before the metal is recycled. Use a recycling centre WEEE bay, a retailer take-back, or a licensed collection.
Am I liable if a free scrap collector fly-tips my other rubbish?
Yes. Under your household duty of care you can be fined up to £600 by fixed penalty in 2026, or an unlimited amount in court, if waste traced to you is dumped illegally. Only use a licensed carrier or dealer and keep a receipt or transfer note.
Do you pay for scrap metal you collect?
Van Thats Quick is a licensed man-and-van collection and disposal service, not a scrap yard - our job is to remove metal and junk cleanly and legally. If you have a large volume of clean, valuable non-ferrous metal, a dedicated licensed scrap yard is where you'll be paid the most for it.
Need Metal and Junk Cleared?
Tell us what you've got and we'll give you an honest, all-inclusive price. Fully insured, licensed disposal, no cash-only games.