Brass and bronze are among the most valuable non-ferrous metals in the scrap recycling market. These copper-based alloys are found throughout residential plumbing, commercial construction, automotive applications, and industrial manufacturing. Because of their high copper content, brass and bronze command strong prices that make collecting and recycling them well worth the effort.
At MOME Metals Recycling, we purchase all grades of brass and bronze scrap from homeowners, plumbers, contractors, electricians, HVAC professionals, demolition crews, and anyone else with material to sell. Located at 3770 Veronica S Shoemaker Blvd in Fort Myers, our facility is equipped with certified scales and experienced graders who ensure you receive accurate classification and top market value for every pound you bring in.
Whether you have a bucket of old faucets from a bathroom remodel or a truckload of valve trim from a commercial job, we handle it all. Our team can quickly sort and grade your material on site, so you get paid fast and get back to work.
We purchase every common grade of brass and bronze scrap. Here are the primary categories and what falls into each one.
The most common brass grade. Includes faucets, door knobs, keys, clean plumbing fittings, decorative hardware, and valves with no steel, iron, or other contaminants attached. Yellow brass must be free of paint, chrome plating, and non-brass attachments.
Yellow brass that still has steel screws, iron fittings, chrome plating, paint, or other non-brass materials attached. This grade pays less than clean yellow brass but is still valuable. Removing contaminants before selling will increase your payout.
Higher copper content makes red brass more valuable than yellow brass. Common sources include fire hydrant fittings, older plumbing valves, certain pipe fittings, and water meter housings. Identified by its reddish or rose-gold hue compared to yellow brass.
Bronze is a copper-tin alloy that appears darker and more brownish than brass. Common sources include bearings, bushings, marine hardware, pump impellers, statues, plaques, and church bells. Bronze is graded separately from brass and priced accordingly.
Brass and copper-brass radiator cores from cars, trucks, and heavy equipment. Radiators are graded separately from clean brass because of their solder content. Remove steel tanks, plastic, and excess attachments where possible for the best per-pound price.
Musical instrument components, chandelier parts, nautical hardware, plumbing supply lines, compression fittings, bed frames, lamp fixtures, and any other items made from brass or bronze alloys.
Brass and bronze prices change daily based on commodity market conditions, the London Metal Exchange, and domestic demand. Because brass and bronze are copper-based alloys, their value closely tracks the price of copper. Higher copper content means higher value, which is why red brass consistently pays more than yellow brass.
At MOME Metals, we update our pricing daily to reflect current market conditions. We believe in transparent pricing with no hidden deductions or surprise fees. What we quote is what you get paid.
Clean, sorted brass pays significantly more than contaminated or mixed loads.
Red brass (80-85% copper) pays more than yellow brass (60-70% copper).
Larger quantities may qualify for volume pricing. Ask about commercial accounts.
Prices fluctuate with global copper markets. Call for the most current rates.
A little preparation goes a long way. Follow these tips to get the highest possible price for your brass and bronze scrap.
Take off steel screws, iron handles, rubber washers, and plastic components. Brass with steel attached gets downgraded to contaminated pricing. A few minutes with a wrench or pliers can significantly increase your per-pound price.
Separate yellow brass from red brass and bronze. Each type is priced differently. Mixing grades means everything gets priced at the lowest grade in the pile. Keep brass radiators separate from clean plumbing brass as well; radiator cores are graded on their own.
Brass and bronze are non-magnetic. If a magnet sticks, the item is not brass. Use this simple test to pull out any steel or iron pieces hiding in your brass pile before you bring it in. This prevents contamination downgrades.
If you regularly generate brass scrap from plumbing work or other trades, accumulate material between trips. Larger loads are more efficient for you and may qualify for better pricing. Keep a dedicated barrel or bin for brass on your job sites.
Correctly identifying your material ensures you receive the right price. Here is how to tell brass and bronze apart from other metals and from each other.
Yellow brass has a bright, gold-yellow color similar to a polished key. Red brass has a deeper, reddish or rose-gold tone. The color difference comes from copper content: red brass is 80-85% copper while yellow brass is 60-70% copper. If it looks more like a penny than a key, it is likely red brass.
Brass and bronze are noticeably heavier than steel, aluminum, or zinc items of the same size. Pick up the item and compare. If it feels surprisingly heavy for its size, there is a good chance it is brass or bronze.
Brass and bronze are completely non-magnetic. If a magnet sticks to the item, it is steel or iron, possibly with a brass plating. This is the fastest and most reliable field test for identifying brass.
Brass produces a distinct, clear ring when tapped against a hard surface, unlike the dull thud of steel. For the scratch test, lightly scratch a hidden area. Solid brass shows the same color underneath. If you see a silver or gray base metal, the item is brass-plated, not solid brass.
Many people mistake gold-plated items for solid brass and vice versa. Here is how to tell them apart:
Recycling brass and bronze conserves significant natural resources. Mining and smelting copper, zinc, and tin from virgin ore requires enormous energy and creates substantial environmental disruption. Recycled brass uses a fraction of the energy needed to produce new brass from raw materials.
Brass and bronze can be recycled repeatedly without any loss of quality or performance. Every pound of brass scrap that gets recycled is a pound that does not end up in a landfill and a pound of virgin ore that does not need to be mined. When you sell your brass and bronze scrap to MOME Metals, you are putting money in your pocket while contributing to a more sustainable future.
Brass prices fluctuate daily based on commodity markets. Clean yellow brass typically commands the highest price among common brass grades. Call MOME Metals Recycling at 239-334-1191 for today's exact brass prices in Fort Myers.
Yellow brass contains approximately 60-70% copper and 30-40% zinc, giving it a bright gold-yellow color. Red brass contains 80-85% copper with less zinc, resulting in a reddish hue. Red brass is more valuable because of its higher copper content. Common red brass items include fire hydrant fittings, certain valves, and older plumbing fixtures.
Scratch a hidden area lightly. Solid brass shows the same color throughout, while gold-plated items reveal a different base metal underneath. Brass is non-magnetic and heavier than most gold-plated base metals. Combining a magnet test with a scratch test will confirm whether your item is solid brass.
Separating brass from bronze is highly recommended because they are graded and priced differently. Bronze typically contains more tin and commands different pricing than brass. Sorting your material before you arrive speeds up the process and ensures you receive the correct price for each type.
Bare bright, #1 copper, #2 copper, copper pipe, copper wire, and more. Top prices for all copper grades.
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