If you’re an electrician or plumber working across Perth, chances are you’re throwing away more money than you realize—literally. From off-cuts to old fixtures, the leftover metal from your day-to-day jobs can actually put cash back in your pocket.
At Universal Scrap Metal, we work with tradespeople just like you to turn scrap into value. Whether you’ve got a ute full of copper wiring or a bucket of old brass fittings, we’re here to help you recycle responsibly—and get paid for it.
Top 5 most profitable metals that electricians and plumbers can sell for cash right here in Perth Are:
1. Copper
Why it pays: Copper scrap consistently ranks among the highest‑value scrap metals. Whether you’re pulling old wiring, replacing copper pipes, or stripping out motors, copper shows up everywhere in electrical and plumbing work.
What to look for:
- Bare (stripped) copper wire — this “clean” copper attracts the best payout.
- Copper piping and tubing left over from jobs.
- Copper coils from motors, compressors, or HVAC units.
- Pro tip: Keep clean copper separate from insulated or mixed wire. Universal Scrap Metal provides on-site weighing and sorting, ensuring you receive the correct rate for the materials you bring in.
2. Brass
Why it pays: Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc—so it captures value from both. Plumbers encounter it all the time in valves, fittings, and taps, making it one of the easiest high‑value metals to collect.
What to look for:
- Old brass taps, faucet assemblies, or outdated plumbing fixtures.
- Pipe fittings, gauges, water‑meter components.
- Brass connectors and valves were removed during upgrades.
- Pro tip: Remove any rubber, plastic, or non‑metal parts attached to brass pieces—
clean brass scrap metal = better return.
3. Aluminum
Why it pays: While aluminum doesn’t fetch as high as copper, it’s lightweight, easy to handle, and adds up fast. It’s common across electrical and plumbing installations, including conduit, fittings, and more.
What to look for:
- Switchboard covers, aluminium enclosures, light‑fitting frames.
- Heat sinks, appliance frames, conduit, and trim.
- Off‑cuts from aluminium fittings or extrusions.
- Pro tip: Keep aluminium separate from steel or other metals when dropping off—this helps maintain grading and a better payout.
4. Stainless Steel
Why it pays: Stainless steel is valuable for its durability and corrosion resistance. When trades replace old fit‑outs (kitchens, bathrooms, hot‑water systems), stainless steel components often get discarded.
What to look for:
- Sink basins, splashbacks, brackets, and hardware.
- Stainless screws, mounting plates, and old appliance parts.
- Components from hot‑water units and industrial plumbing fixtures.
- Pro tip: Use a magnet test—non‑magnetic stainless is typically higher grade and receives a better rate.
5. Lead
Why it pays: Lead is heavy, dense, and still valuable. It’s less common in modern installs, but you’ll often find it in older buildings, battery systems, or specialty uses.
What to look for:
- Lead‑acid batteries (UPS, solar backup systems) removed from job sites.
- Older cable sheathing or electrical work in heritage or commercial sites.
- Roofing materials, flashing, or lead pipe off‑cuts from plumbing upgrades.
- Pro tip: Lead must be handled safely and disposed of correctly. Universal Scrap Metal is licensed and equipped to process lead materials in full compliance with WA environmental regulations.
Why Tradies Should Scrap with Universal Scrap Metal
Whether you’re cleaning out your work van or wrapping up a big install, you don’t need a warehouse full of material to start making cash.
Here’s how we make it easy:
- We accept small loads — even a box of fittings is worth something.
- Drive-through drop-offs — no waiting, no fuss.
- On-site weighing and sorting — transparent pricing, every time
We’re proud to serve electricians, plumbers, and tradies across Perth and surrounding areas, helping you turn worksite waste into wallet-friendly rewards.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need to clean or strip wires first?
Not required—but separating clean copper from insulated can increase your payout.
2. Can I mix metals in one bin?
Yes! We’ll sort them at drop-off, but sorting them yourself speeds up the process and improves accuracy.
3. Is there a minimum load size?
Nope. Whether it’s 2kg or 200kg, we’re happy to take it.
4. Do I need an ABN to sell scrap as a tradie?
Not for small amounts. For regular or business-level recycling, having an ABN can help with record-keeping and invoicing.
5. How is pricing determined?
We weigh everything on certified scales and offer competitive rates based on current metal market prices.
💡 Don’t Let Valuable Metal Go to Waste
Recycling scrap isn’t just about being green—it’s about being smart. With metal prices always in demand, electricians and plumbers have an easy opportunity to cash in on their scrap.
📍 Drop by Universal Scrap Metal in Cannington, Perth. Let your leftover fittings and wires work for you