Get Current Scrap Metal Prices in the U.S.

Cans compressed into a cube at a scrap metal recycling facility.

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If you are a metal scrapper or work in the scrapping industry, you'll likely be curious about getting the most current scrap metal prices you can find in your area.

You might be a small recycling business, a hobbyist, or an entrepreneur with an idea for collecting and selling scrap metal. You'll need to know where to go to get the best prices, or at least know where to go.

Where to Look

You can find the scrapping industry prices online. Scrap Register and Scrapmonster are two websites that collect information on the metal scrapping industry. However, services like these do not exist for free.

The iScrap App is another web-based service that gives you options either view average prices or look at localized scrap metal prices. You can enter your zip code in the search box on their website. A map will be brought up that shows you any scrap yards within or around your zip code.

Clicking on an icon in the map pulls up the prices specific to that location, with the date that the prices were recorded.

The free information is generally months old unless you subscribe to their premium service. If you are in the scrapping business and genuinely need the information, you might consider subscribing. You might even be able to call them and work something out for your business.

Current Scrap Prices 2021

An illustration showing select scrap metal prices as of January 2021.

The Balance

Scrap metal is categorized into several different subcategories. For instance, electronics has 10 different subcategories that distinguish which kind of electronic component some scrap is.

Some of the most popular categories are listed, along with the price you might be able to sell it for (all prices are per pound unless otherwise noted and current as of January, 2021):

Aluminum

Aluminum scrap is priced in several different categories:

  • Aluminum radiators with copper—$1.07
  • Aluminum radiators—$.26
  • Cans—$.38
  • Rims—$.46
  • Siding—$.31
  • Sheet—$.28

Copper Scrap

  • #1 Copper Bare Bright—$2.72
  • #1 Copper Wire and Tubing—$2.57
  • #2 Copper Wire and Tubing—$2.42
  • Insulated Copper Wire—$.72
  • Electric Motors—$.17
  • Ballasts—$.08
  • Alternators—$.15

Electronics Scrap

  • CPU Processors—$26.93
  • Motherboards—$2.50
  • Power Supplies—$.26
  • Lithium-Ion Battery—$1.3
  • Hard Drives—$.65

Steel

  • Stainless Steel—$.32
  • Shredded Steel—$174/ton
  • #1 HMS Steel—$300.5
  • Rotors—$205/ton

Iron

  • Cast Iron—$191/ton
  • Light Iron—$118/ton

Automobiles

  • Complete Car—$175/ton