Lead scrap price per kilo: our buying prices today

Roofing lead

Solid lead scrap from roofing, old plumbing, renovation and demolition

Old Lead Scrap mainly consists of solid lead recovered during renovation, strip-out and demolition work on older buildings. Typical material includes lead sheet, roofing strips, flashing, valleys, weatherproofing components, old lead pipes, traps and other plumbing parts. This material is commonly generated by roofing contractors, plumbers, renovation companies, demolition and strip-out contractors, clearance companies and construction-site recovery operators, particularly when older roofing systems or plumbing installations are removed. Lead is easily recognised by its very high density, dull grey appearance and soft, malleable nature. Old lead may develop a dull surface patina over time, but this does not prevent the underlying metal from being recycled. At Bull Métal, old lead should be delivered as clean as possible. Steel, brass fittings, zinc, wood, plastic, rubber, mortar, bitumen and other foreign materials should be removed whenever possible. Heavily contaminated material may require additional sorting or a different classification. Lead-acid batteries are not classified as Old Lead Scrap. They contain plastic, electrolyte and other components and are handled through a separate recycling stream. Large volumes and site collections: for roofing refurbishment, major renovation, building strip-out or demolition projects generating significant quantities of lead, Bull Métal can assess direct collection from site. Clean, homogeneous loads separated from rubble and other metals are easier to process and correctly value. Bull Métal tip: separate lead from zinc, copper and construction debris directly on site. Old lead does not need to look new or bright — cleanliness and the absence of foreign materials matter far more than surface appearance.

Lead batteries

Automotive, truck and industrial lead-acid batteries

Used Lead-Acid Batteries (ULAB) are rechargeable batteries containing lead-based plates, an electrolyte based on sulphuric acid and a plastic casing. Even when discharged or no longer usable, they retain significant recycling value because their lead and other components can be recovered through specialised recycling processes. Lead-acid batteries are widely used in cars, vans, heavy-duty trucks, industrial equipment and machinery, as well as forklifts, UPS systems, standby power installations, telecommunications equipment and other stationary applications. Typical sources include garages, vehicle repair workshops, dealerships, ELV dismantlers, fleet operators, transport companies, truck workshops, material-handling businesses, maintenance contractors, factories, data centres and industrial facilities. At Bull Métal, lead-acid batteries are graded separately from solid lead scrap. A complete battery contains not only lead but also plastic, electrolyte, separators and other components, which is why it is valued differently from clean solid lead. Batteries should be delivered complete and unopened. They should not be dismantled or drained of electrolyte. Lithium batteries are excluded from this grade and must follow a separate recycling stream. For garages, commercial fleets, transport companies, workshops and industrial sites generating larger quantities, Bull Métal can assess suitable collection and recycling arrangements. Damaged or leaking batteries should be reported before delivery so that appropriate handling can be arranged. Bull Métal tip: keep used lead-acid batteries upright, complete and separated from lithium and other battery chemistries. Proper segregation makes identification, handling and recycling safer and more efficient.