Brass Recycling

What Is Brass Recycling?

Last reviewed by James Hartley on 01 April 2026

Brass recycling is the process of collecting and processing brass items, like plumbing fixtures and musical instruments, to reuse their valuable metals. This practice matters because it saves 90% of the energy compared to mining new materials.

When you recycle brass, you're not just disposing of waste; you're turning potentially harmful scrap into a resource. Recycling helps preserve natural resources, reduces pollution, and cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions. By recycling one ton of brass, you can save about 15 barrels of oil, which is equivalent to driving over 4,000 miles in an average car.

According to the Apple Environmental Report 2024, apple recovered over 1 tonne of gold from recycled devices in 2023.

Where to Recycle Brass

You can recycle brass at scrap yards like GLE Scrap Metal or Metal Men, metal recyclers such as Sims Metal Management, and plumbing salvage dealers like Ferguson Plumbing. Each place has its own criteria for accepting materials, so it's best to call ahead and ask what they need.

For instance, GLE Scrap Metal operates in multiple states across the U.S., while Metal Men are located primarily on the East Coast. These companies provide bins or take-back programs where you can drop off your brass items. Additionally, Sims Metal Management has locations worldwide, accepting a wide range of metal types including brass.

How to Prepare Brass for Recycling

To prepare brass for recycling, start by sorting out any non-metallic parts from your brass items. Use pliers or screwdrivers to remove screws and bolts-anything that isn't solid brass should be separated. Clean the brass pieces thoroughly to remove dirt and grime; this step is important as it affects the purity of the material and thus its value.

Next, group similar types of brass together-separate yellow brass from red brass if possible. This sorting process ensures you get a fair price for your scrap since different grades of brass have varying values. Once sorted and cleaned, take your brass to a local recycling facility or arrange pick-up through their service.

What Is Brass Worth?

Brass is worth between $1.20-2.20 per pound for yellow brass and $1.50-2.60 per pound for red brass as of late 2023, according to the iScrap App and local yard boards. These prices can fluctuate based on market demand and supply.

For example, if you have a pile of yellow brass weighing 10 pounds, it could be worth anywhere from $12 to $22 depending on current market conditions. Checking tools like Kitco or your nearest scrap yard's price board will give you an accurate idea of today's prices.

According to the Royal Society of Chemistry, mobile phones contain up to 60 different elements, including critical raw materials.

Environmental Impact

Recycling one ton of brass saves approximately 15 barrels of oil and reduces carbon dioxide emissions by about 8,000 pounds compared to producing new metal from raw materials. This equates to driving a car for more than two months without stopping.

recycling brass also conserves natural resources significantly: it takes nearly 90% less energy to recycle brass versus mining and processing virgin ore. The water savings are equally impressive-recycling one ton of brass can save up to 120 gallons of water.

Safety and Regulations

Safety is important when handling brass, especially older pieces that may contain lead. Always wash your hands after touching any brass items, particularly if they came from plumbing fixtures manufactured before 2014. Exposure to lead can be harmful, leading to health issues like neurological damage and developmental delays in children.

Regarding regulations, while there are no specific laws governing the recycling of brass itself, older brass fixtures might fall under the Safe Drinking Water Act, which mandates that new plumbing materials be lead-free. Violations could result in hefty fines ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 per day.

To stay compliant and safe, always check with your local recycling centre about any specific handling requirements for brass items.

Sources

• Apple Environmental Report 2024
• Royal Society of Chemistry
• UNEP