What Scrap Metal Is in Your Old Household Appliances and What Is It Worth?

Most Melbourne homeowners doing a cleanout, renovation, or kitchen upgrade do not realise how much metal is sitting inside their old appliances. That old fridge in the garage, the broken washing machine waiting by the back door, the split system air conditioner that stopped working two summers ago: all of these contain recoverable metals that a scrap yard will pay you for.

This guide breaks down the metals inside the most common household appliances room by room, highlights which components carry the most value, and explains how to get the best price when you bring them in to Sky Scrap Metal in Dandenong.

Why Old Appliances Are Worth Scrapping Rather Than Throwing Away

White goods and household appliances are built from a combination of steel, copper, aluminium, stainless steel, and brass. Steel makes up the bulk of most appliances by weight, but it is the non-ferrous metals hiding inside, particularly copper in motors and wiring, that drive the value up.

With copper prices in Melbourne currently sitting at record highs for 2026, even a relatively modest appliance can yield a meaningful return when you understand where the value is concentrated. Sending old appliances to landfill wastes that resource and contributes unnecessarily to waste. Scrapping them puts money back in your pocket and ensures the metals are recycled back into productive use.

Room-by-Room Appliance Metal Breakdown

The table below shows the metals typically found inside common household appliances, the highest-value component in each, and an indicative scrap value range for the whole unit as a drop-off to a Melbourne scrap yard.

Disclaimer: Price ranges above are compiled from publicly available third-party market data including TakeMyAppliance, AppliancePickupNow, and Vic Star Metals (accessed April 2026). This data is used for general reference purposes only. Sky Scrap Metal is not affiliated with these sources and makes no representation that these prices will be available at the time of reading. Prices change daily. These figures do not constitute a quote or offer. Contact Sky Scrap Metal on 0402 757 290 for current rates.

Understanding the Metals Inside Your Appliances

Steel. The most common metal in household appliances by weight. It forms the outer casing, internal frames, and most structural components. Steel is lower in value per kilogram than non-ferrous metals but its weight means it still contributes to the overall scrap price of the unit.

Stainless steel. Found in the drums of front-loading washing machines, dishwasher interiors, and some oven exteriors. Stainless steel commands a better price than regular mild steel due to its nickel and chromium content. Front-loader washing machines are among the most valuable white goods specifically because of their stainless steel drums.

Copper. The highest-value metal in most household appliances. Copper is found in motor windings inside washing machines, dryers, and fans, in the compressor unit inside fridges and freezers, in refrigerant coils inside split system air conditioners, and in the wiring throughout almost every electrically powered appliance. With Melbourne copper prices currently around $9 to $13 per kilogram depending on grade, even a modest copper content makes a significant difference to the overall scrap value of an appliance.

Aluminium. Commonly found in the condenser and evaporator fins inside refrigerators, in the fins and frame of split system air conditioners, and in some fan blade assemblies. Aluminium is lighter than steel but worth considerably more per kilogram, currently ranging from $1.40 to $2.80 per kilogram in Melbourne depending on grade and condition.

Brass. Found in valves, fittings, and pipe connections inside hot water systems and some older washing machines. Brass is one of the higher-value scrap metals and worth identifying and separating if you are dismantling an appliance yourself.

How to Get More for Your Old Appliances

You do not need to dismantle your appliances before bringing them in. Sky Scrap Metal accepts whole units and the process is straightforward. That said, a few simple steps can improve the value you receive:

• The more material you bring in a single trip, the better the overall rate. A fridge, a washing machine, and a split system unit dropped off together is a meaningful load.
• Larger or heavier models contain more metal and are worth more. A large French door fridge has significantly more metal content than a small bar fridge. Letting us know the make and model allows us to give a better estimate before you make the trip.
• In Victoria, fridges, freezers, and air conditioners must have their refrigerant gas professionally evacuated before recycling. This is a legal requirement. Sky Scrap Metal handles this at the yard, but be aware that it may affect the net price for units that still contain refrigerant.
• For most homeowners, bringing the whole unit in is far simpler and safer. Partial disassembly without the right tools can actually reduce the assessed value if it results in an incomplete or damaged unit.

Doing a Full House Cleanout? We Can Help

If you are renovating, clearing a deceased estate, or simply sorting through years of accumulated household items, the volume of scrap metal can add up quickly. A single Melbourne home cleanout can easily yield a fridge, a washing machine, a dryer, an old split system, a hot water unit, and various smaller appliances, all of which have recoverable metal value.

Sky Scrap Metal offers collection services for larger residential loads across Melbourne’s south-east. Rather than making multiple trips, call us to discuss a single collection booking. We come to you, load the material, and pay you on the spot based on an assessment at our Dandenong yard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Do you accept old fridges and freezers that still have refrigerant in them?

Yes. We accept fridges and freezers at our Dandenong yard and handle the refrigerant evacuation on site as required by Victorian regulations. The refrigerant removal process may affect the final price, so call ahead or send us a photo for a clear estimate before you bring the unit in.

Q. Is it worth scrapping a single appliance or do I need multiple items?

A single large appliance such as a fridge or washing machine is absolutely worth bringing in. You will receive a cash payment on the spot after weighing. If you can accumulate a few items before making the trip, the combined value will be higher and you save on fuel, but there is no minimum requirement for a drop-off at our yard.

Q. My washing machine has a stainless steel drum. Is it worth more?

Yes. Front-loading washing machines with stainless steel drums are among the higher-value white goods at a scrap yard. The drum itself contains stainless steel, which is worth more per kilogram than regular mild steel, and the motor contains copper windings that add further value. A large front-loader in reasonable condition is worth noticeably more than a comparable top-loader.

Q. What about air conditioners? Are they worth scrapping?

Split system air conditioners are actually one of the better-value household items to scrap relative to their size. They contain copper refrigerant coils and piping, aluminium fins, and copper motor wiring. The copper content in particular makes them worth significantly more per kilogram than a comparable steel-heavy appliance. Both the indoor and outdoor units should be brought in together for the best overall return.

Q. Can I leave appliances at the yard if I am dropping them off after hours?

No. All drop-offs need to happen during business hours so we can inspect, weigh, and pay for your material on the day. Our yard is open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm and Saturday 8am to 12:30pm. If you need to arrange a collection outside of those hours, call us in advance to discuss options.

Q. Do you charge for collecting old appliances from my home?

Collection fees depend on the volume of material and the location. For larger loads with multiple appliances, call us on 0402 757 290 and we can discuss a collection arrangement. For smaller single-item pickups, dropping off at our Dandenong yard is the simplest and most cost-effective option.

Ready to Turn Your Old Appliances Into Cash?

If you have old white goods, kitchen appliances, or a garage full of household metal ready to go, Sky Scrap Metal in Dandenong makes the process easy. Drop in during business hours or call us for a quick estimate before you make the trip.

Call us: 0402 757 290  |  03 8753 6373

Visit us: 297 Hammond Road, Dandenong VIC 3175

Hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm, Saturday 8am to 12:30pm

Instant payment. No minimum load. Accepted seven days a week.