How to Recycle Brushless Motors
Brushless DC motors with copper windings used to spin propellers. Sizes range from tiny 0802 for whoops to 2807 for long-range builds. Stator diameter and height determine torque and efficiency.
Safety Warnings
- Motors contain strong neodymium magnets — keep away from pacemakers and magnetic-sensitive devices
- Motor wires may carry residual voltage from capacitors — discharge before handling bare wires
- Loose magnets can pinch skin — handle motor bells carefully during disassembly
Preparation Steps
- 1Remove propellers and prop nuts
- 2Unscrew motors from the frame (typically 4 M3 screws per motor)
- 3Desolder or disconnect motor wires from the ESC
- 4Remove any zip ties or conformal coating from motor leads
- 5Bundle matching sets of 4 together for best value
Materials Recovered
| Material | Weight | Recovery Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Copper (windings) | 6-10g per motor | 95% |
| Neodymium (magnets) | 2-4g per motor | 90% |
| Aluminum (bell housing) | 3-6g per motor | 95% |
| Steel (shaft, bearings) | 2-3g per motor | 95% |
Environmental Impact
0.8 kg per motor set (4 motors)
CO₂ Avoided
35 liters per motor set
Water Saved
80g per motor set
Waste Diverted
What Brushless Motors Are Worth
| Condition | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Excellent | $5-$18 per motor |
| Good | $3-$12 per motor |
| Fair | $2-$8 per motor |
| Parts Only | $1-$3 per motor (material value) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recycle motors with bent shafts?
Yes. Bent-shaft motors are still valuable for copper windings and neodymium magnets. They qualify as parts-only pricing but we accept them for material recovery.
Are motor magnets recyclable?
Yes — neodymium magnets are among the most valuable materials in a motor. We extract and send them to specialized rare earth recyclers who refine them for new magnet production.
Should I desolder motors before sending them in?
Not required, but it helps. If motors are still attached to the frame or ESC, we'll disassemble them. Desoldered individual motors are easier to test and typically get graded faster.