What is scrap metal grading?
Scrap metal grading is the classification system scrap yards use to sort metals by material type and condition, which determines the price paid for each category.
When you sell scrap metal to a yard, the metal gets sorted and evaluated based on what it is and what condition it is in. This sorting process is called grading, and it directly affects how much money you receive.
Scrap yards divide metals into two main families: ferrous and non-ferrous. Ferrous metals contain iron and include steel and cast iron, which are magnetic and typically worth less per pound. Non-ferrous metals like copper, aluminum, and brass contain no iron, are non-magnetic, and usually bring higher prices.
Within each category, yards grade for purity and contamination. Copper grades range from clean, bare wire at the top to plumbing pipe with solder still attached lower down. Aluminum is sorted into categories like clean sheet, mixed extrusions, and painted aluminum, each with different value. Steel gets separated into appliance, structural, and shredder-ready grades based on size and cleanliness.
Grading matters because a single type of metal can have several price points depending on how much processing the yard must do to sell it on. A piece of copper already stripped of insulation grades higher than the same copper still wrapped in plastic. Scrap yards in Oahu follow these industry-standard grades so payout is consistent and tied directly to what the material is worth on the secondary metal market. If you're planning a junk removal project that includes metal, understanding these categories helps you prepare materials and know what to expect. Many junk removal services on Oahu also handle metal grading and sale as part of their pickup process.