Reference guide
What category does your scrap metal actually belong to?
Every listing on ScrapTrade sits inside a material category, and getting that right matters more than most sellers realise. This page is a plain reference for what falls where, and why the category field isn't just admin.
The problem
"I don't actually know which category this falls into"
"I've got a pile that's mostly steel with what looks like copper wiring and some aluminium trim mixed in. I don't know if I list it as one thing or three."
This is a genuinely common starting point, and there is a quick, reliable test that solves most of it: does a magnet stick to it? If yes, it is ferrous. If no, it is non-ferrous. From there, the specific category is usually identifiable by what the item actually is, which is what the reference below is for.
Ferrous categories
| Category | Typically found in | General value tier |
|---|---|---|
| Steel | Structural beams, appliance frames, automotive body panels, sheet offcuts | Lower per kilogram, high volume |
| Cast iron | Older plumbing fixtures, engine blocks, cookware, radiators | Lower per kilogram, often heavy |
| Wrought iron | Gates, railings, older fencing | Similar tier to cast iron |
Non-ferrous categories
| Category | Typically found in | General value tier |
|---|---|---|
| Copper | Wiring, pipes, motor windings, roofing | Highest common value, condition-sensitive |
| Brass | Fittings, valves, older hardware | Strong mid-to-high value |
| Aluminium | Cans, extrusions, wheels, window frames | Mid value, varies by alloy |
| Stainless steel | Kitchen equipment, sinks, industrial fittings | Mid-to-high value, grade-dependent |
| Zinc, lead, nickel | Batteries, older piping, specialty alloys | Varies widely, often niche demand |
Once you know your category, check what it's actually trading at before you set a price.
Check live prices by categoryWhy this actually matters
What the right category changes on the platform
Buyers filter by category
A buyer sourcing copper is filtering for copper, not browsing everything. A listing filed under the wrong category is effectively invisible to the exact buyers who want it.
Pricing context is category-specific
Live material pricing is only a useful reference if it's checked against the right category. Comparing a mixed load's price against pure copper rates will always look wrong.
The Wanted Board matches by category
Buyer requests are posted against a specific material category, so a correctly categorised listing is also more likely to surface as a match.
Support can help you decide
If a load genuinely straddles categories, seller support can help you decide whether to split the listing or list it as mixed.
The honest limitation
"What if it's genuinely mixed?"
Listing as mixed is fine, just expect the pricing to reflect it
You are not required to sort everything down to a single category before listing. A mixed load can be listed as such. The trade-off is that buyers will typically price and offer on it as the lowest-value metal present, since separating it after purchase is their cost to absorb, not yours to avoid entirely. Splitting even the obvious high-value pieces, like pulling copper wire out of a steel pile, before listing usually raises what you're offered.
The offer, plainly stated
What's included, and the next step
| Cost to list | Free, for any category or a mixed listing. |
| What's included | Category-filtered browsing for buyers, live pricing by category, and Wanted Board matching. |
| Not sure which category fits? | Seller support can help you decide before you publish. |
| Next step | Identify your category, check live pricing, and list. |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ferrous and non-ferrous scrap?
Ferrous metal contains iron, is magnetic, and includes steel and cast iron. Non-ferrous metal, such as copper, aluminium, brass, and stainless steel, contains no significant iron, is not magnetic, and is generally worth more per kilogram.
Why does the category I list under actually matter?
Buyers searching or filtering the marketplace typically look within a specific material category. A listing filed under the wrong category is effectively invisible to the buyers actually looking for it, regardless of how good the material or the price is.
What if my load has more than one category of metal mixed together?
You can still list it, noted as mixed, but expect it to be priced closer to the lowest-value metal present. If it's practical, separating the load before listing, even roughly, usually lets each category be priced and sold properly.
Does ScrapTrade set a fixed price per category?
No. Live material pricing gives a current reference point per category, but actual sale prices are set by individual sellers or discovered through bidding, not fixed by the platform.
Know your category, know your price
Check live pricing for your material's category, then list it in a few minutes.
Related reading: Getting started guide · Sell scrap online · Global marketplace