Lead is one of the heaviest and most consistently recycled metals in the country, and it has held its place at the scrap yard for decades. Action Metal Recyclers has been buying scrap lead across Queensland for over 50 years, and this guide is for anyone with lead piling up at home, in the workshop or down at the marina. Find out more about how you can scrap lead for cash with Action Metal Recyclers.
Why Lead Is Worth Recycling
Lead is dense. A small bucket weighs more than people expect, which means even a modest pile turns into a worthwhile drop at the scales. Lead is also one of the easier metals to recycle. It melts and reforms cleanly, which is why almost all the lead in batteries and wheel weights comes back around for reuse. Sending it for recycling also keeps it out of landfill, where it can leach into soil and waterways. Our lead recycling page has the full breakdown of what we accept.
The Grades of Lead We Buy
Lead is graded by how clean it is and what other metals are mixed with it. Higher grades pay more.
- Soft lead. Clean lead free of oil, paint or other metals. This is the highest paying grade because it needs the least refining.
- Lead Mixed. Clean lead solids free of drosses, battery plates, lead covered cable, tubes, aluminium, zinc, iron and brass fittings.
- Lead Wheel Weights. Lead weights as removed from automotive wheel rims. Some minor steel content is fine, but no zinc.
- Lead Batteries. Complete automotive or marine batteries.
Lead pipe, sheet and fishing sinkers also fit under the soft and mixed grades depending on how clean they are.
Common Lead Items You Can Recycle
Lead turns up in more places than people realise:
- Old roof flashings and lead sheeting
- Lead pipe from older homes
- Wheel weights from tyre shops and panel shops
- Car, boat and motorcycle batteries
- Fishing sinkers and downrigger weights
- Electrical sheathing and offcuts
- Diving and ballast weights
If you’re not sure whether something is lead, drop a sample into your nearest yard and one of our team will sort it out.
Safe Handling
Lead is heavy and the dust isn’t great to breathe. A few simple rules:
- Wear gloves when handling lead and batteries
- Wash your hands after, especially before eating
- Stand batteries upright and tape the terminals on small ones
- Don’t try to crack open, drain or melt batteries yourself
Bringing Your Lead In
For everyday loads, swing into one of our yards. Our head office is at Oxley (2145 Ipswich Road), with yards across Queensland at Coopers Plains, Kingston, Toowoomba, Burleigh Heads, Banyo, Gladstone, Townsville, Warwick and the Sunshine Coast. Yards open Monday to Friday 7:00am to 4:30pm and Saturday 7:00am to 11:30am.
For bigger loads, our Weigh and Pay service comes to you, and our scrap metal bins suit demolition, factory and marine clean-outs. Trucks coming in with mixed loads can also use our public weighbridge.
Why Choose Action Metal Recyclers
Over 50 years of buying scrap, friendly staff, competitive prices, ten yards across Queensland and payment by cash, cheque or EFT. There is no better team to trust for your metal recycling needs than the professionals at Action Metal Recyclers.
Get in Touch
If you have a load of lead and aren’t sure where to start, call your nearest yard or get in touch through our contact page. We’ll talk you through the best option for the size of your job.
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