Current Scrap Metal Prices: Updated Prices of Scrap Metals Today

Scrap metals are used metals that are an essential source of industrial metal. Variations typically occur in the prices of scrap metals in the local market and within the metal industry. Based on fluctuations in the prices of scrap metals, the following are the detailed prices for scrap metals.

Last Update 08-25-2025

Scrap Metal Price

You can easily obtain the latest scrap metal prices from MetalWiki.com, including copper, brass, aluminium, and others.

Metal/MaterialCurrent Price
#1 Bare Bright Wire$3.90/lb
#1 Copper Tubing / Flashing$3.60/lb
#2 Copper Tubing / Bus Bar$3.40/lb
#3 Roofing Copper$3.20/lb
Brass (Plumbing, Pipe)$2.30/lb
Bronze$2.75/lb
Brass Shells$2.15/lb
Brass Water Meter$1.50-$2.30/lb
Clean Brass Radiators$2.10/lb
Dirty Brass Faucets$0.55/lb
Aluminum/Copper Coil (Clean ACR Fin)$1.90/lb
Aluminum/Copper Coil (Dirty ACR Fin)$1.25/lb
Copper Yokes$0.41/lb
Copper Transformers$0.21-$0.36/lb
Small Electric Motors$0.23-$0.30/lb
Alternators/Starters$0.33/lb
Sealed Units$0.22/lb
Metal/Material
Metal/MaterialCurrent Price
Car Batteries$0.22-$0.25/lb
Lead$0.55/lb
304 Stainless Steel (Non-Magnetic)$0.30/lb
316 Stainless Steel (Non-Magnetic)$0.65/lb
Lead Wheel Weights$0.10/lb
Ballasts$0.07-$0.10/lb
ChillersCALL FOR PRICE
Scrap Generators$0.04-$0.04/lb
Circuit Breakers$0.04/lb
O2 Sensors$3.00/lb
Insulated Copper Wire (45-50% ICW)$1.30/lb
Romex® Wire (64-68% ICW)$2.15/lb
Open Eye Hollow Heliax (50-52% ICW)$1.55/lb
THHN Cable (74-78% ICW)$2.65/lb
Thin/Thick Cable (79-83% ICW)$2.75/lb
Insulated Cable (84-88% ICW)$2.80/lb
500-750 MCM (Bare Bright Inside) - 88-93% ICW$3.05/lb
Insulated Steel BX$0.45/lb
Fire Wire (58-62% ICW)$1.60/lb
Aluminum BX$1.60/lb
Car Harness Wires (48-52% ICW)$1.55/lb
Christmas Lights (10-15% ICW)$0.25/lb
Computer Wire (27-35% ICW)$0.55/lb
Cat 5/6 Cross (40-45% ICW)$0.72/lb
Metal/MaterialCurrent Price
Clean Aluminum Rims$0.82/lb
Dirty Aluminum Rims$0.75/lb
6063 Painted Aluminum$0.80/lb
Aluminum Siding / Gutters$0.67/lb
Sheet Aluminum$0.55/lb
All Aluminum Rims$0.75-$0.82/lb
Cast Aluminum$0.50/lb
Clean Aluminum Wire$0.80/lb
AL Thermo-pane/break (Not Glass)$0.45/lb
AL Litho Plates$0.80/lb
AL Machine Cuts$0.70-$0.78/lb
Aluminum Grills$0.55/lb
6063 Bare Aluminum$0.83/lb
AL Turnings$0.15-$0.30/lb
Aluminum Transformers$0.05/lb
Dirty Aluminum$0.05-$0.08/lb
Metal/MaterialCurrent Price
#1 Prepared Steel$165/lb
Steel$100/GT
Light Iron$100/GT
Cast Iron$165/GT
Brake Rotors$180/GT
Metal/MaterialCurrent Price
Mixed CPU's$22.00/lb
Clean Green Motherboards$1.75/lb
Mid-Grade Boards$1.25/lb
Memory Chips$15.00/lb
CPU Processor Chips$4.00-$40.00/lb
Whole Computer Towers w/HD$0.20/lb
Laptops$0.75/lb
Power Supplies (w/ wires)$0.25/lb
Harddrives w/Board$0.55/lb
Harddrive PC Board$3.50/lb
Telecom Equipment$0.10-$0.30/lb
Servers$0.25-$0.45/lb
Back Panels$2.00-$5.50/lb
Rambus Memory$7.00/lb
Low Grade Non PC Boards$0.10/lb
Insulated Wire (45-50% ICW)$1.30-$1.65/lb
Computer Wire (27-35% ICW)$0.55/lb
AL Heat Sinks$0.55/lb
Cell Phones (No Battery)$0.65/lb
Metal/MaterialCurrent Price
Supertherm$0.50/lb
100% Tin$3.00/lb
Carbide Inserts & Shapes$8.40-$11.55/lb
Monel$2.20-$6.75/lb
FSX 414$5.00/lb
Titanium$1.00/lb
Nickel$2.50-$6.75/lb
Inconel$0.75-$3.00/lb
Tantalum$10.00-$25.00/lb
High Speed Steel$0.15-$0.65/lb
Hastelloy Shavings$2.00/lb
Hastelloy Solids$2.50-$5.50/lb
Tin Solder$1.00-$3.00/lb
Babbit$1.00-$5.00/lb
Alnico Magnets$0.75/lb
Metal/MaterialCurrent Price
Large Foreign Cat$67-$445/each
XL Foreign Cat$90-$299/each
Regular Domestic Cat$18-$128/each
Large GM Cat$76-$276/each
Flow Cats$15-$40/each
Bead Cat$18-$240/each
Small Foreign Cat$15-$209/each
Medium Foreign Cat$36-$410/each
Pre-Domestic Cat$14-$88/each
Foreign Pre-Cat$16-$220/each
High Grade Domestic Cat$65-$595/each
Small GM Cat$18-$760/each
Small Breadloaf Cat$33-$295/each
Small Domestic Cat$21-$165/each
Large Chrysler Cat$89-$269/each
Small Foil/Wire$18-$81/each
Large Foil/Wire Cat$67-$335/each
Foil/Wire Pre$6-$55/each
Half CatVaries, Ask
Aftermarket Cat$5/each
Diesel Cat$15-$480/each
DPF "Catalytic Converter"$9-$760/each
Metal/MaterialCurrent Price
Car Batteries$0.22-$0.25/lb
Lead Backup Batteries$0.05-$0.10/lb
Forklift Batteries$0.15/lb
Steel Case Batteries$0.17-$0.22/lb
Cell Site Lead Batteries$0.10-$0.15/lb
Absolyte Batteries$0.05/lb
Metal/MaterialCurrent Price
Car Batteries$0.22-$0.25/lb
Lead$0.55/lb
304 Stainless Steel (Non-Magnetic)$0.30/lb
316 Stainless Steel (Non-Magnetic)$0.65/lb
Lead Wheel Weights$0.10/lb
Ballasts$0.07-$0.10/lb
ChillersCALL FOR PRICE
Scrap Generators$0.04-$0.04/lb
Circuit Breakers$0.04/lb
O2 Sensors$3.00/lb

*Last Update 08-25-2025

Factors influencing scrap metal prices:

Most of the materials used in the metal industry are recycled from scrap metal. Several factors influence the prices of scrap metals in the industry. These are described here as follows.

Quality and quantity of Scrap Metals:

Two factors affect the quality of scrap metals: contamination and purity. Metal contamination can occur either during the insulation of metal or during the storage of fuel. However, contamination makes the metal non-valuable.

On the other hand, the purity of the metal is essential for the prices of scrap metals. The purer the metal, the higher the cost and worth.

The quantity of scrap metal is a critical determinant of its price.  High quantities lead to lower prices, and low quantities lead to higher prices for scrap metals. Excessive supply, seasonal effects, strong demand with weak supply, weak demand with ample supply, increased recycling, and trade restrictions highly influence the prices of scrap metals.

The time of year:

Due to various seasonal factors, the time of year has a significant impact on scrap prices. The time of year influences the prices of scrap metals by the following key factors:

  • Construction activity: Scrap metal demand is closely related to the construction industry.  During summer and spring, construction work increases, driving up the demand for steel and aluminum. In winter, the construction industry slows down its work, and demand also decreases.
  • Seasonal demand: The demand for scrap metals is largely dependent on the season. During the warmer months, demand for scrap metal increases; conversely, demand gradually decreases in the colder months.     
  • Weather Conditions: Weather conditions also influence scrap metal prices. Weather conditions affect the demand and supply of scrap metals. The warmer the weather, the more willing people are, and vice versa.
  • International trade pattern: Scrap metal is transported to other countries for processing. International demand fluctuates seasonally, impacting prices in the local market.       
  • Recycling scrap generation: Recycling scrap metals refers to collecting, processing, and reusing byproducts from the production industry. For further use, scrap metals are recycled into new raw materials. 
  • Energy and fuel costs: The energy and fuel costs associated with transporting scrap metals impact the prices of scrap metals. The higher the cost of transport, the higher the prices will be.

Supply and demand:

  • The fluctuations in the prices of scrap metals occur due to global demand for the metal.  When the supply of scrap metal is high, prices may fall due to the increased availability of material in the market.
  • If the collection and sorting of scrap metal become more efficient or less costly, supply increases, potentially lowering prices.
  • The import and export ability of scrap metal also affects prices.
  • Various industries, including construction, automobiles, and manufacturing, use scrap metal. When these industries mature,  the demand also rises, and so do the prices.
  • If it becomes more efficient for companies to use recycled scrap metal than new metal, the demand for scrap increases, and the prices will also be high.

Location of sellers:

The location of scrap metal is a significant factor in determining the prices of scrap metals. In urban and industrial areas with good infrastructure and access to the global market, sellers tend to benefit more due to higher prices. At the same time, those in underdeveloped regions face low prices due to limited buyers.

Transportation is one of the costly expenses. If we have to transport 200 tons of scrap metal to an area that is 9,000 km away, then it will reduce the cost because the transportation of metal to a far place will lessen the value of the metal. 

Market prices of new metals:

Our goal is to prevent the use of raw materials. If they are cheaper to produce, there is a risk that they will be used instead of recycled materials. If the market prices of new metals increase, and the supply of scrap metals increases, and vice versa.

International trade:

It plays a significant role in determining the prices of scrap metals due to various factors, including transportation costs, trade policies, and currency exchange rates. When it comes to scrap metals, the foreign market is also taken into consideration.  Some countries, such as China and India, have a high demand for scrap metals, which influences global prices. Prices are expected to rise due to high demand. 

Conversely, if demand falls, prices may also fall. International trade has a significant impact on the prices of scrap metals.

Current trends:

The current trends shaping scrap metal prices are complex and multifaceted. Rising energy and transportation costs, economic conditions, and new technologies are collectively driving high demand for scrap metals. These trends are leading to price fluctuations, which are influenced by demand and supply. Global demand, industrial activity, recycling policies, trade policies, fuel and energy costs, technological innovations, and currency exchange rates all affect current trends in scrap metals. 

Production and transportation costs:

Production costs refer to the expenses incurred in processing, recycling, and collecting scrap metals. These impact the prices of scrap metals. Processing costs, labor costs, energy costs, types of equipment, and the quality of scrap metals all impact production costs, which in turn influence the prices of scrap metals. Transportation cost refers to the shipping cost of collecting scrap metal, then moving it to recycling facilities, and from recycling facilities to buyers, which increases the cost of scrap metal.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, current scrap metal prices are widely discussed in tabulated form in this article. Additionally, the factors affecting scrap metal prices are explained in depth, covering all aspects. In short, we can say that scrap metals and their prices are the most important elements in the metal industry, which are necessary for the industry’s growth.

FAQ

Frequently Ask Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about scrap metal prices and the factors that affect them.

The following are the primary factors: 

  • Quality and quantity of scrap metals 
  • Supply and demand
  • International trade
  • Location of seller 
  • Market prices of new metals
  • Current trends 
  • Time of year 
  • Production and transportation costs

Higher-quality scrap is more desirable to buyers and recycling facilities than low-quality scrap. Purity, type of metal, well-preserved metal, and separation of scrap metals all impact the value of scrap.

Scrap metal prices fluctuate seasonally due to several factors, including weather conditions, the manufacturing and construction cycle, energy costs, and global market trends.

Location of the seller significantly affects scrap prices due to the following factors

  • Transportation cost
  • Local supply and demand 
  • Economic conditions 
  • Access to export markets
  • Competition among buyers

These factors affect the profitability of scrap metals.

Copper, brass, aluminum, titanium, zinc, nickel, and stainless steel have the highest scrap prices.

The prices of rare earth metals are higher than those of common metals due to their complex extraction process and high demand in specialized industries.

The prices of rare earth metals are higher than those of common metals due to their complex extraction process and high demand in specialized industries.

There are many challenges and benefits of large-scale scrap recycling operations:

Challenges:

  • Complex separation
  • Contamination 
  • Fluctuating market prices
  • High infrastructure cost
  • Supply chain

Benefits :

  • Environmental sustainability 
  • Economic opportunities 
  • Conservation of resources 
  • Reduction of waste

Yes, there are several emerging technologies like; 

  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning 
  • Advanced sensor-based sorting 
  • Automated robotics

Government policies play an important role in promoting scrap metal recycling.  These policies help establish a framework for recycling, regulate environmental standards, and provide economic incentives.