Should plumbers separate copper and brass?

Yes. Copper pipe, brass fittings and lead kept apart grade far better than one mixed bag. A minute of sorting on the job protects the value.

Do you collect regularly from plumbers?

Yes. Plumbers across Leeds, Wakefield, Bradford and Huddersfield use repeat collections, and trade accounts can manage it all through the trade portal.

What about old boilers and radiators?

Collected as part of the same visit. Boilers and copper cylinders carry real value; steel household radiators pay steel rates in quantity.

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Scrap Metal for Plumbers: What Is Worth Keeping

Every job leaves copper, brass and lead behind. Here is what to keep apart — and how to turn offcuts into money.

26 September 2026 · By OJ Metal Recycling

Trade Focus

Plumbing Scrap Pays — Sorted

Plumbers handle some of the best-paying scrap in the trade: copper pipe and cylinders, brass taps, valves and fittings, and lead pipe and flashing. The difference between good money and skip money is almost entirely separation — copper in one pile, brass in another, lead apart, steel aside.

We collect from plumbers across Leeds, Wakefield, Bradford and Huddersfield — one-off job clearances and repeat rounds. Trade accounts run it all through the trade portal.

Job by Job

What to Keep From Each Job

Copper pipe

Offcuts, removed runs and cylinder pipework. Strip insulation and twist off fittings — clean tube grades at 98-level. See 98 copper explained.

Brass fittings

Taps, valves, olives, compression joints. Bag brass apart from copper — mixed bags grade as mixed. See our brass guide.

Cylinders & tanks

Drained cylinders and cold tanks from system upgrades. Strip jackets, save the brass, photograph first — see cylinder values.

Lead & boilers

Lead flashing, waste pipe and old boilers from refits. Roofing lead may need proof of ownership — see lead prices.

FAQs

Plumber FAQs

What plumbing scrap is worth money?

Copper pipe and cylinders, brass taps and fittings, and lead — kept clean and separated, among the best-paying trade waste there is.

Do I need to strip insulation off pipe?

Remove foam lagging and cladding where practical. Bonded insulation can stay — declare it and it gets graded accordingly.

Can I get repeat collections?

Yes — plumbers with steady work use repeat rounds, and trade portal accounts manage bins, sites and history online.

Do you take the radiators too?

Yes — drained household radiators at steel rates and copper-brass types graded higher, collected on the same visit. See radiator values.

Keep Reading

Trade Portal GuideBins, collections and price lists for trade.

Scrap Copper GuideCopper types and recycling value.

All Blog ArticlesTips, prices and collection advice.

Plumber With Scrap Building Up?

One-off clearances or repeat rounds — send photos of the pile and your postcode.

Request a Collection Call 07793 020266

Call now 07793 020266