old pipes and fixtures - can they actually be recycled?

I see your point about the hassle factor - sometimes the effort just isn't worth the small payout. But from an environmental perspective, I'm curious if giving fixtures away really ensures they'll be recycled or reused responsibly.

"Buddy, you gotta strip those faucets down or no deal."

Scrap yards at least have some accountability in handling materials properly. Makes me wonder... does anyone know if curbside pickups actually end up reused, or do they mostly get scrapped anyway?

Yeah, good point. From what I've seen, curbside pickups are hit-or-miss. I've left fixtures out before, and half the time they're gone within hours - probably scrappers taking them straight to the yard anyway. Honestly, stripping faucets and valves yourself isn't that hard, and at least you know the brass and copper will actually get recycled properly. Otherwise, you're kinda gambling on someone else doing it right...

You're spot on about curbside pickups being unpredictable. I've had similar experiences - sometimes fixtures vanish in minutes, other times they sit there for days. Honestly though, if you're comfortable with basic tools, taking apart faucets and valves yourself is pretty straightforward. A decent wrench, screwdriver, and maybe some WD-40 for stubborn fittings, and you're good to go. Plus, you get the satisfaction of knowing exactly what's getting recycled.

One thing I'd add: don't overlook cast iron or galvanized pipes. They're heavier and bulkier, sure, but scrap yards usually take them too. Just make sure to separate your metals beforehand - yards pay better if everything's sorted. Learned that the hard way after lugging a mixed load down there once...lesson definitely learned.

Anyway, even if scrappers grab your stuff off the curb, at least it's not ending up in the landfill. Still, DIY recycling gives you peace of mind - and maybe a few extra bucks for coffee money.

You're totally right about sorting metals beforehand - I made the same mistake once and ended up kicking myself after seeing how much better the sorted stuff paid. And yeah, WD-40 is a lifesaver for those stubborn fittings...just gotta be careful not to strip anything (been there, done that). Anyway, props for doing it yourself - it's satisfying knowing you kept stuff outta the landfill and got a little cash reward too.

"WD-40 is a lifesaver for those stubborn fittings...just gotta be careful not to strip anything (been there, done that)."

Yeah, WD-40 can help loosen things up, but honestly, I'd recommend using a proper penetrating oil like PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench instead. WD-40's good in a pinch, but it's technically more of a water displacer than a true penetrant. Learned that the hard way when I stripped a fitting and spent half my afternoon drilling it out. Better safe than sorry - especially with older fixtures.

WD-40's alright for quick fixes, but yeah, PB Blaster is my go-to as well. Had an old galvanized pipe fitting that just wouldn't budge... sprayed it down, let it sit overnight, and it finally gave way without stripping. As for recycling old fixtures, most metal pipes and fittings (like copper, brass, or steel) can definitely be recycled. Just check with your local scrap yard or recycling center - they usually take them off your hands no problem.

Yep, most scrap yards will happily take metal pipes and fittings. Couple quick tips:

- Separate copper and brass from steel - usually gets you a better price.
- Call ahead, some places get picky about galvanized stuff.
- Drain any leftover water or gunk first... saves hassle at drop-off.

Good points here. Definitely worth the effort to sort copper and brass - I learned that the hard way after a few trips to the scrap yard. Galvanized stuff can be hit or miss, though. Had one yard wave me right through, no questions asked, while another got picky and turned me away because they said it was too corroded. Go figure.

Also, draining pipes is a must. I once hauled a bunch of old plumbing fixtures without checking them first... ended up with rusty water all over my truck bed. Not fun cleaning that up afterward.

Anyway, good advice overall - scrapping old fixtures can really add up if you're doing regular renovations or repairs. Beats tossing it in a dumpster any day.

Definitely agree on the galvanized stuff being hit or miss. I've had yards refuse perfectly usable galvanized pipe just because of some surface rust, yet another place took a whole batch of badly corroded fittings without blinking. Go figure...

Also, learned the hard way about valves. Thought I'd drained everything, but one old shut-off valve still had water trapped inside. Rusty sludge leaked all over my tools and floor mats - lesson learned. Now I always double-check valves and fittings before loading up.

Had a similar experience when I replaced the old pipes under my kitchen sink. Thought I'd drained everything, but nope... one sneaky valve decided to hold onto some nasty brown water. Ended up with a lovely puddle on my shoes and a stained cabinet floor. I'm still skeptical about recycling old fixtures though - seems like scrapyards just make up rules as they go along. Guess it depends who's working that day?

- Been there with the sneaky valve... no matter how careful you are, plumbing always seems to have a surprise waiting. Those hidden pockets of water can really ruin your day, or at least your shoes.

- Regarding recycling fixtures and pipes, you're onto something. Scrapyards can be pretty inconsistent. I've found it depends heavily on the type of metal and the condition it's in. Copper and brass usually get accepted without much fuss, even if they're old or slightly corroded. Galvanized pipes or fixtures with mixed materials (like plastic handles or rubber seals) seem to cause confusion and inconsistency.

- A tip from experience: if you have time, separating out the different materials can help you get a more predictable response at the scrapyard. Removing plastic fittings or rubber gaskets beforehand makes it clearer for them to assess the metal. But yeah, even then, sometimes it feels like luck of the draw depending on who's behind the counter that day.

- Don't feel too discouraged about the cabinet stains either - most of us who've done plumbing work have a few battle scars around the house. Consider it a badge of honor for tackling the job yourself.

Totally agree about separating materials beforehand - it saved me some hassle last time. One thing I'd add is to check your scrapyard's website or call ahead, because some places list exactly what they'll take and how clean it needs to be. Learned that the hard way after hauling a bunch of galvanized pipes they wouldn't touch. And yeah, cabinet stains...I just call it "character" now, haha.

Good point about checking ahead - I once lugged an old cast iron sink all the way there, only to find out they wouldn't take it because of some coating issue. Now I always double-check first... saves time and my back. Also, cabinet stains are fine, but watch out for mold - better safe than sorry.

Checking ahead is definitely smart, but honestly, if there's mold on cabinets, I'd just toss them altogether. Mold spores can linger even after cleaning, and it's not worth the health risk - especially if you've got kids or pets around. Better safe than sorry, right?

Recycling old pipes and fixtures is usually doable, especially if they're metal like copper or brass - scrap yards will even pay you a bit for them. But moldy cabinets? Yeah, that's another story. I've seen folks try to salvage mold-infested stuff, and it rarely ends well. Mold spores are stubborn little things, and once they settle in porous materials like wood, it's tough to get rid of them completely. Better off tossing those cabinets and investing in replacements... your lungs will thank you later.

Yeah, copper and brass fixtures are definitely worth recycling. I remember once I helped demo an old bathroom, and we ended up with a decent pile of copper pipes - took it to the scrapyard and got enough cash for pizza and drinks afterward. Not bad for a day's work!

As for moldy cabinets, completely agree that they're usually beyond saving. Mold is like that annoying relative at family gatherings - once it's settled in, good luck getting rid of it without drama. I've seen folks scrub and repaint moldy cabinets thinking it's fine, only to have the mold return a few weeks later. Definitely not worth the hassle or health risk.

But speaking of recycling fixtures... what about old porcelain sinks or toilets? I've heard mixed things - some say they can be recycled into crushed porcelain aggregate, others tell me they're just landfill material. Anyone here have experience recycling porcelain fixtures? Curious if that's actually practical or just wishful thinking...

I've dealt with old porcelain fixtures a few times, and honestly, recycling them is a bit hit or miss. A few years back, I had to replace all the toilets in one of my older rental properties - figured I'd try being environmentally friendly and asked around at local recycling centers. Most places gave me the runaround or flat-out said no. But eventually, I did find one place that accepted porcelain fixtures for crushing into aggregate. They were pretty picky though: had to remove all metal fittings, seats, screws - basically anything not porcelain.

In the end, it was a bit of a hassle, but I felt better about it than just dumping them in a landfill. Still, not sure I'd do it every single time... depends on how much extra effort you're willing to put in. If it's just one sink or toilet, might be easier to landfill it (sad but true). But if you've got several fixtures and don't mind spending some time stripping them down, recycling can work out okay. Just be prepared for some awkward looks when you roll up with a truck full of toilets at the recycling center... speaking from experience here.

"Just be prepared for some awkward looks when you roll up with a truck full of toilets at the recycling center... speaking from experience here."

Haha, I can totally picture that scene. I haven't dealt with porcelain yet, but recently helped my uncle replace some old cast iron pipes. We called around, and surprisingly, scrap metal places were pretty eager to take them off our hands. Seems like metal fixtures are way easier to recycle than porcelain. Guess porcelain recycling still needs some catching up...

Cast iron pipes are definitely easier to recycle than porcelain fixtures, no doubt about that. A few things I've learned from experience:

- Cast iron and other metal fixtures usually have decent scrap value, so recycling centers or scrap yards are happy to take them. Just make sure they're relatively clean - no major chunks of concrete or dirt stuck to them.
- Porcelain, on the other hand, is tricky. Most recycling centers won't touch it because it's hard to process and has limited reuse potential. Some places crush it up for road base or construction fill, but that's pretty rare.
- If you're stuck with porcelain fixtures (like toilets or sinks), your best bet might be donating them if they're still usable. Habitat for Humanity ReStores sometimes accept them if they're in decent shape.
- Otherwise, you might have to bite the bullet and pay disposal fees at a landfill or transfer station.

Honestly, recycling infrastructure still has a long way to go when it comes to certain materials like porcelain. It's frustrating, but that's just how it is right now...

Yeah, cast iron is definitely the easier one to deal with. I remember hauling an old bathtub to the scrap yard once - got enough cash back to cover gas and lunch, so can't complain there. Porcelain though...ugh. I tried donating a sink once, but it had a tiny chip and Habitat wouldn't take it. Ended up paying at the dump. Kinda sucks how limited our options still are for stuff like that.