Scrap Metal Separation Calculator – Multi-Metal Load Value
Break a mixed scrap load into separate metals and estimate recovered weight, value, deductions and total payout.
Separate your scrap load
Deducted from total estimated value
How mixed scrap separation works
Identify each material — separate the load into recognizable metal categories.
Weigh each category — enter the measured weight for each material.
Enter its scrap price — use a current buyer quotation for that specific grade.
Apply recovery — account for contamination, attached material or expected sorting losses.
Compare values — the calculator shows which material contributes the most to the load value.
Subtract sorting cost — optional labor, handling or separation costs can be included.
A mixed load should not automatically be valued using the highest-priced metal present. Separate estimates are more useful when copper, aluminum, brass, steel and other materials have different prices.
This is an estimate, not a guaranteed scrap-yard payout. Actual accepted weights and prices depend on inspection, grading, contamination, buyer rules and current local market conditions.
Why separation can change the estimate
High-value material
Can materially affect total load value
Low-value material
Adds weight without equal value
Contamination
Can reduce payable weight
Mixed alloys
May require different grading
The same 1,000 kg load can have very different estimated values depending on how much of it is copper, aluminum, brass, stainless steel, steel or other material.
Calculation formulas
Recovered weight
recovered weight = entered weight × recovery %
Material value
material value = recovered weight × scrap price per kg
Total load value
total value = sum of all material values
Estimated net value
net value = total material value − sorting / separation cost
Common materials to separate
Copper and copper cable
Brass
Bronze
Aluminum
Stainless steel
Carbon steel and iron
Lead
Zinc
Nickel-bearing alloys
Tin-bearing materials
Mixed non-ferrous scrap
Other identifiable alloys or custom materials
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a mixed scrap load?A load containing two or more metal categories that may have different scrap prices, such as copper, aluminum and steel together.
Why calculate each metal separately?Because different metals and grades can have substantially different scrap values. Separate rows let you apply a different price and recovery percentage to each material.
What does recovery percentage mean?It represents the percentage of the entered material weight you expect to be accepted as payable material after sorting, contamination and other losses.
Can I add many metals?Yes. Add as many material rows as needed for the load, including custom materials.
Can I include sorting costs?Yes. Enter a total sorting or separation cost and it is deducted from the combined estimated material value.
Should I use commodity-market prices?Not necessarily. Scrap buyers often quote different prices from refined-metal market prices because of grading, processing, transportation and recycling costs.
Does separation always increase the money received?No. Separation may improve material classification, but labor, equipment, transport and processing costs can offset any improvement in the selling price.
Is this a guaranteed scrap-yard price?No. The result is an educational estimate based on the inputs you provide. The buyer determines the final accepted weight, grade and price.