Lead disposal of Component leads?

I used to collect mine in a 50 gal drum and take them to the scrap dealer. If he classifies it as brass or copper you can get a good return. Most leads are nickel and tin plated brass. Most dealers stick a magnet on it and tell you its not worth much. I explained that it was attracted to the magnet because of the nickel plating. He said nickel is not a metal that is attracted to magnets. Guess we did not take same chemistry courses! He said anything that is picked up by the magnet is mixed steel. Imagine that, steel leaded parts.

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