How Much Are Printed Circuit Boards Worth?

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are central components of nearly all electronic devices—from computers and smartphones to industrial machinery. As these items reach the end of their life, their circuit boards still retain value due to the precious metals and recyclable materials they contain. For businesses in the UK looking to recycle electronic waste, understanding the value of PCBs is key to maximising returns and managing disposal responsibly.

In this article, we’ll explore what makes PCBs valuable, how their worth is calculated, and what your business can expect when recycling them.

What Makes a Printed Circuit Board Valuable?

The value of a PCB primarily comes from the metals embedded within it. Many boards contain small quantities of precious and base metals, including gold, silver, copper, palladium, and tin. These are recovered during the recycling process and sold on the commodities market. Higher-grade boards generally contain more of these materials, making them more valuable.

Gold is often used in connectors and edge fingers due to its excellent conductivity and resistance to corrosion. Copper is widely used throughout the board for tracks and components, and palladium can be found in capacitors. The concentration of these materials, and their market value, directly affects how much recyclers are willing to pay for PCB scrap.

Types of PCBs and Their Scrap Value

Not all PCBs are created equal. Their value depends heavily on their grade:

• High-grade PCBs: Found in servers, telecom systems, and high-end IT equipment, these boards contain a higher concentration of precious metals and offer the greatest value.
• Medium-grade PCBs: Common in household electronics, these offer a moderate return due to lower precious metal content.
• Low-grade PCBs: Found in cheap or outdated devices, these contain minimal recoverable materials and therefore attract the lowest prices.

At RePCB, we assess your PCB waste based on these categories to offer competitive rebates that reflect current market values.

How Prices Are Determined

The scrap value of a PCB is influenced by multiple factors:

• Grade of the board: As outlined above, high-grade boards are more valuable.
• Current metal prices: Gold, copper, and other metals fluctuate in price on the global market, which directly impacts the price recyclers can offer.
• Quantity and weight: Larger volumes tend to attract better rates, especially when dealing with high-grade materials.
• Condition: Boards that are intact and not contaminated with other waste often yield better value.

While prices can vary from week to week, UK businesses can typically expect higher returns for server motherboards, RAM, CPUs, and telecom PCBs compared to mixed or low-grade circuit boards.

Current Market Trends in the UK

The UK market for PCB recycling remains strong, especially as sustainability targets push businesses to improve their e-waste practices. As of 2025, circuit board scrap prices in the UK range from a few pence per kilogram for low-grade materials to over £5/kg for premium, high-grade PCBs.

However, the most accurate pricing is obtained through direct assessment. At RePCB, we offer tailored quotes based on your waste type, location, and volume. Our clients also benefit from rebates where applicable.

Why RePCB?

At RePCB, we provide nationwide collection and recycling services for a wide range of PCB materials. We help businesses responsibly dispose of their circuit boards while offering competitive rebates where value exists. All collections are traceable, and we provide full documentation to support your compliance with WEEE regulations.

Our service is transparent, and we’re always happy to offer guidance on the potential value of your e-waste. Whether you’re disposing of server boards, RAM, CPUs, or mixed-grade circuit boards, we ensure that all recyclable value is extracted efficiently and responsibly.