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.
