Family owned since 1974 · 5 Northeast Florida locations
Call 386-437-2163Scrap metal recycling · Northeast Florida
Copper, brass, aluminum, stainless, insulated wire, radiators, batteries and electric motors. Bring it to a John's Famous yard in Bunnell, Holly Hill or Palatka — family owned since 1974.
Non-ferrous metals are metals that contain little or no iron. They don't rust, they don't stick to a magnet, and they usually pay more per pound than steel. Common examples are copper, brass, aluminum, stainless steel, and lead.
Use a magnet. If the magnet doesn't stick, the metal is most likely non-ferrous and worth more. If it sticks strongly, it's ferrous (steel or iron).
Sort each metal into its own pile and remove steel screws, plastic, insulation and attachments where you can. Clean, separated metal grades higher than mixed metal.
John's Famous Auto Parts & Metals buys non-ferrous scrap at yards in Bunnell, Holly Hill and Palatka, Florida. Use the yard finder on this page to see which location takes your material.
What we buy
Copper is usually the highest-paying common scrap metal. Clean, unpainted copper with no solder, fittings or insulation is worth the most.
Examples
Brass is a gold-colored copper and zinc alloy. It is heavy for its size and does not stick to a magnet.
Examples
Aluminum is light, silver and non-magnetic. Sorting it by type (cans, sheet, cast, extrusion, wheels) helps you get a better price.
Examples
Copper or aluminum wire still in its plastic coating. Value depends on how much metal is inside compared to the insulation.
Examples
Stainless steel contains nickel and chromium and is usually non-magnetic or only weakly magnetic. It is kept separate from regular steel.
Examples
Radiators and coils combine copper, brass and aluminum. Removing steel brackets and draining fluids helps them grade higher.
Examples
Lead-acid batteries are recycled for their lead. Bring them intact and upright — never drained or cracked open.
Examples
Electric motors contain copper windings inside a steel or aluminum case. They are bought as their own grade.
Examples
Yard finder
Tell us what metal you have and we'll point you to the right yard and gate.
FAQ
Non-ferrous scrap is paid by weight on certified scales. The price depends on the type of metal, how clean it is, and current market prices, which change often. Call the yard for today's prices.
#1 copper is clean, bare copper pipe or wire with no solder, paint, fittings or insulation. #2 copper is copper that has solder, paint, coatings or light corrosion. #1 copper pays more.
Stripped bare copper pays more per pound than insulated wire, but stripping takes time. For thick wire it is often worth it. For thin cords and cables, many people sell it as insulated wire.
Stainless steel contains iron, but it is bought as a non-ferrous grade because it contains nickel and chromium and is usually non-magnetic. Keep it separate from regular steel.
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Florida law requires scrap yards to record seller identification for each sale.
In Bunnell, non-ferrous metal goes to 3625 S US Hwy 1. Steel and other ferrous metal goes to 3325 S US Hwy 1.
