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Choosing a Route

What should you do with items that are only partly metal?

Short answer: Remove the metal parts if you can do it safely and easily, sell those and send the rest to the appropriate waste or recycling route, but if the metal is a small part of the item or is difficult to separate, it is usually better to leave it whole for a council collection, a drop-off facility or a buyer who can process mixed items.

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When to separate

Large, easily removed metal parts such as frames, legs or motors are worth taking off, especially when the rest of the item is light.

When to leave it whole

If separating means specialist tools, extended time or exposure to hazardous parts, it is usually not worth it for the small gain.

Where the rest goes

Non-metal parts go to the suitable waste or recycling stream for that material, so check rather than assuming it can all go in one bin.

How ScrapTrade Fits In

ScrapTrade buyers will quote on mixed items, so you can see whether a partly metal item is worth selling whole.

Selling is one good route among several. When it is the right one, ScrapTrade offers verified buyers, transparent weighing and escrow-protected payments.

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