Brass Recycling in Valley City, Ohio

Brass can be found in everything from plumbing fixtures and valves to hardware, decorative items and commercial equipment. Because brass contains copper, it is also a desirable material to recover and recycle rather than discard.

D & L Recycling buys a variety of scrap brass at our Valley City, Ohio recycling facility. If you're unsure whether an item is brass or another type of metal, a few simple characteristics can help you identify what you have before bringing it in.

How Can You Identify Brass?

Brass is an alloy made primarily from copper and zinc. The amount of copper and other metals in the alloy can affect its color, properties and classification.

One useful characteristic is that brass is generally non-magnetic. If a magnet strongly sticks to an item that appears to be brass, it may instead be steel with a brass-colored coating or finish.

Color can provide another clue. Brass commonly has a yellow or golden appearance, although age, coatings, paint and corrosion can make identification more difficult.

Yellow Brass

Yellow brass is one of the most common types of brass and is frequently found in household plumbing fixtures, fittings, hardware and other everyday items. Its familiar yellow-gold appearance comes from the combination of copper and zinc used in the alloy.

Brass items may also be plated, painted or enameled, so appearance alone isn't always enough to identify the underlying metal.

Red Brass

Red brass contains a higher percentage of copper, giving it a more reddish or bronze-like appearance. It can often be found in valves, plumbing components, sprinkler systems and similar applications.

Because the composition differs from yellow brass, keeping different types of brass separated can make identification easier when you arrive at the recycling facility.

Common Brass Items You Can Recycle

You may have recyclable brass around your home, workshop or job site without realizing it. Common examples can include:

• Plumbing fixtures and fittings
• Faucets and valves
• Pipe fittings
• Door hardware
• Brass fasteners
• Decorative hardware
• Sprinkler components
• Commercial and industrial brass parts

If you aren't certain whether an item contains recyclable brass, bring it with you and our staff can help identify the material.

Brass vs. Copper: What is the Difference?

Because copper is a primary component of brass, the two metals can sometimes be confused.

Pure copper typically has a distinctive reddish-orange appearance, while most brass has a more yellow or gold tone. Brass is an alloy, whereas copper is an individual metal.

Both are recyclable, but they are classified differently when brought to a scrap metal recycling facility.

Learn more about Copper Recycling if you have copper wire, pipe, tubing or other copper materials.

Preparing Brass for Recycling

You don't need to become a metal expert before bringing brass to the recycling yard. However, a little organization can make the process easier.

Separate Different Metals

Keep obvious brass separate from copper, aluminum, steel and other metals whenever practical.

Remove Unnecessary Materials

If easily removable, separate excessive plastic, rubber or other non-metal materials from the brass.

Don't Throw Something Away Because You Are Unsure

Metal finishes can be deceptive. An item that doesn't immediately look like brass may still contain recyclable material. If you're uncertain, ask us rather than assuming it has no recycling value.

Recycle Brass at D & L Recycling

Recycling brass keeps a useful metal alloy in circulation and allows its valuable copper and other materials to be recovered for future use.

D & L Recycling accepts brass along with many other ferrous and non-ferrous metals at our Valley City recycling facility. For information about additional materials, visit our Scrap Metal Recycling page, or learn more about Cash for Scrap Metal before your visit.

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Please remember to bring your driver's license or state ID as this is a
State Law to sell your scrap metal.

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