The scrap value of a washing machine typically ranges from $10 to $25 if sold whole. Because they weigh between 150 and 200 pounds and are mostly composed of heavy steel casing, concrete, and plastic, their base value aligns with local "shred" or "light iron" prices.
What appliance has the most scrap value? Window AC units and refrigerators with copper tubing offer the highest scrap value relative to effort. Washers are also valuable due to their weight (150-200 lbs of steel) and copper motor windings. Dryers have less value since they're lighter and contain less copper.
Yes, washing machines are worth scrapping, typically yielding $10–$25 per unit as of May 2026, primarily due to the high steel content. While a whole machine provides decent value, you can maximize returns by separating the stainless steel drum, copper, and motor.
While the scrap value of a single washer isn't huge, they're heavy – mostly made of steel with small amounts of copper and other valuable metals. The price will depend on the current scrap metal market and the condition of the machine, but every bit counts.
To make $100 from scrap aluminum, you need anywhere from 55 to 200 pounds, depending on your local scrap yard’s payout rate.
The motor's windings and wiring are usually made from copper, and while it might not seem like much, the high market value of copper makes it a prized find for recyclers. A typical washing machine contains around 1 to 2 pounds of copper, which adds up quickly when you're recycling multiple machines.
Top Electronics with the Most Gold Content
Desktop and Laptop Computers: Motherboards, CPUs, and RAM modules in older computers (especially pre-2000s) contain significant amounts of gold. A typical desktop computer can have up to 0.2 grams of gold, primarily in connectors and circuit boards.
Who will collect my old washing machine? In your area, check with your council, charity shops or furniture reuse organisations to see if they will collect. Some local councils offer an online booking system.
15p / kg is a good starting place for white goods, so for a washing machine £10 is probably about where you would be.
Air conditioners and heat pumps contain the most copper of any household appliances. A standard residential unit contains between 4 kg and 23 kg (999 to 50 lbs) of copper, primarily located in the condenser, evaporator coils, and compressor motors.
As we mentioned before, the ideal appliances for scrapping are the ones that are large and contain large amounts of metal inside them. Especially dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers are great choices for scrapping since they have a decent amount of metal inside them.
Washing Machines & Dishwashers
Estimated value: £5–£15 per unit, depending on weight and parts. Top tip: Remove the motor and wiring to boost value, or weigh in whole for ease. Big, bulky, and metal-heavy – these appliances are ideal for scrapping, especially if they're too costly to repair.
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers determined that the steel weight of individual appliances is as follows: Clothes washers, top load 94.5 lb. Clothes washers, front load 84.2 lb.
To find the scrap value of the machine, we use the formula S(n)=C(1−r)n, where C is the original cost, n is the useful life of the machine in years, and r is the constant annual percentage of value lost. Given C=51000, n=9, and r=0.14, we substitute these values into the formula and calculate the result.
For centuries, silver has been seen as the poor man's gold, the metal for those who could not afford gold's glitter.
An old TV typically contains about 0.001 to 0.3 grams of gold, yielding a scrap value of less than $𝟏 to about $𝟐𝟎. It is only financially viable to recover gold from TVs on an industrial scale rather than dismantling a single unit at home.
You can sell your old refrigerators directly to the scrap yard, and you can get about $15 to $50 per unit, depending on their weight, condition, and local market price.
Stripping copper wire for scrap is almost always financially profitable, increasing your payout by 30% to 40%. However, whether it is "worth it" comes down to how much you value your time. It is highly worthwhile for thick, heavy-gauge wire, but a waste of effort for thin or low-grade cables.
Pure Copper Wire - Round - 10 Gauge - 1 Pound - 30 Feet. All measurements and weights are appropriate, but should be within 2% of the actual weight/length.
Copper does not react with water. Because it is very low on the periodic table's reactivity scale, it cannot displace hydrogen from water. This unreactive nature makes copper a safe and highly preferred material for domestic plumbing pipes, brewing vessels, and cookware.