How Much Per Pound for Scrap Metal?

Scrap metal includes discarded metal materials that hold economic value for recycling. Understanding their value is important for individuals seeking to dispose of items or earn income. Unlike fixed prices, scrap metal values are dynamic, fluctuating based on market forces and material characteristics. This guide explains what determines these values and how to maximize your returns.

Key Factors Influencing Scrap Metal Prices

Scrap metal prices are influenced by global economic principles and market dynamics. A fundamental factor is the balance between global supply and demand for raw materials and finished goods. Increased manufacturing and construction raise metal demand, leading to higher scrap prices. Conversely, a slowdown in these sectors can depress prices.

Commodity market trends significantly impact scrap metal values, as new metal prices often correlate with recycled ones. Economic indicators like industrial output and infrastructure spending serve as barometers for future demand, influencing price expectations. Current events, including geopolitical developments, trade policies, and natural disasters, can create sudden shifts in supply or demand, causing rapid price volatility.

The quality of scrap metal plays a substantial role in its value. Purity, the absence of contaminants, directly affects recycling ease and cost, commanding higher prices. Quantity also matters, as larger volumes allow recyclers to offer better rates due to economies of scale in processing and transportation. These factors collectively determine the per-pound value received for scrap.

Common Scrap Metals and Their Value Ranges

Scrap metal value varies significantly by type and purity. Copper, used in electrical wiring and plumbing, consistently ranks among the most valuable non-ferrous metals. High-grade copper, like bare bright wire, fetches $3.37 to $4.00 per pound. Less pure forms, such as #2 copper tubing, are valued between $3.20 and $3.70 per pound.

Aluminum, a lightweight, silvery-gray metal found in beverage cans, window frames, and vehicle parts, is another common non-ferrous scrap. Aluminum cans typically command $0.55 to $1.77 per pound. Other aluminum scrap, like cast or sheet, ranges from $0.25 to $1.00 per pound depending on purity. Steel, a ferrous metal prevalent in construction and appliances, has magnetic properties. Ferrous metals, which stick to a magnet, generally have a much lower per-pound value than non-ferrous metals, often ranging from $0.03 to $0.07 per pound or priced per ton ($87.00 to $170.98).

Brass, a yellowish alloy used in plumbing fixtures and musical instruments, is a non-ferrous metal. Its value typically falls between copper and aluminum. Clean yellow brass ranges from $1.91 to $2.40 per pound, with red brass potentially higher ($2.35 to $3.10 per pound). Lead, a dense, dull gray metal found in car batteries and some piping, is also non-ferrous. Scrap lead, excluding automotive batteries, ranges from $0.47 to $0.50 per pound, while lead-acid auto batteries are around $0.16 to $0.20 per pound.

Maximizing Your Scrap Metal Value

To maximize your scrap metal value, several steps can enhance its price. Sorting scrap by metal type is paramount, as mixed loads receive the lowest common denominator price. Separating non-ferrous metals (like copper and aluminum) from ferrous metals (like steel) is fundamental, as non-ferrous materials command higher prices. A simple magnet test differentiates these categories: if a magnet sticks, it’s ferrous.

Cleaning scrap and removing non-metal attachments (plastic, rubber, insulation) increases its purity and per-pound value. For example, stripping insulation from copper wire yields “bare bright” copper, the highest grade. Before visiting a scrap yard, check current prices, often available online, as rates vary and fluctuate daily. Understanding how scrap yards measure weight (by pound or ton) helps estimate potential earnings accurately.