Current Scrap Metal prices

Scrap metals are used metals that are an important source of industrial metal. Variations usually take place in the prices of scrap metals in the local market and also in the metal industry. On the basis of fluctuations in the prices of scrap metals here are given scrap metal prices in detail. You can get the latest scrap metal prices from the best metals guide including copper brass aluminium and others

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Last Update: 00-00-0000

Metal/Material

#1 Bare Bright Wire

$2.40/lb

#1 Copper Tubing / Flashing

$2.10/lb

#2 Copper Tubing / Bus Bar

$1.90/lb

#3 Roofing Copper

$1.80/lb

Brass

$1.25/lb

Brass (Plumbing, Pipe)

$1.37/lb

Bronze

$1.55/lb

Brass Shells

$1.22/lb

Brass Water Meter

$0.75-$1.50/lb

Dirty Brass Faucets

$0.40/lb

Clean Brass Radiators

$1.30/lb

Aluminium/Copper Coil (Clean)

$0.91/lb

Aluminum/Copper Coil (Dirty)

$0.72/lb

Copper NA

 

Copper Yokes

$0.25/lb

Copper Transformers

$0.08-$0.17/lb

Electric Motors

$0.12-$0.15/lb

Alternators/Starters

$0.13/lb

Sealed Units/Compressors

$0.13/lb

Metal/Material

Insulated Copper Wire (Cat 5/6)

$0.62/lb

Romex® Wire

$1.12/lb

Open Eye Hollow Heliax

$0.82/lb

THHN Cable

$1.48/lb

Insulated Cable

$1.58/lb

500-750 MCM (Bare Bright Inside)

$1.83/lb

Insulated Steel BX

$0.20/lb

Aluminum BX

$0.77/lb

Christmas Lights

$0.12/lb

Computer Wire

$0.32/lb

Cat 5/6 Cross

$0.45/lb

Metal/Material

Aluminum NA

 

Aluminum Siding / Gutters

$0.34/lb

Sheet Aluminum

$0.27/lb

All Aluminum Rims

$0.40-$0.50/lb

Aluminum Windows (broken)

$0.32/lb

Cast Aluminum

$0.28/lb

Clean Aluminum Wire

$0.47/lb

AL Thermo-pane/break (Not Glass)

$0.28/lb

AL Litho Plates

$0.47/lb

AL Machine Cuts

$0.35-$0.55/lb

Aluminum Grills

$0.28/lb

AL Turnings

$0.12-$0.15/lb

Aluminum Transformers

$0.03/lb

Dirty Aluminum

$0.06-$0.15/lb

Metal/Material

Car Batteries

$0.22-$0.26/lb

Lead

$0.44/lb

304 Stainless Steel (Non-Magnetic)

$0.30/lb

316 Stainless Steel (Non-Magnetic)

$0.45/lb

Lead Wheel Weights

$0.13/lb

Ballasts

$0.08/lb

ChillersCALL FOR PRICE

 

Scrap Generators

$0.05-$0.17/lb

Circuit BreakersPrices Vary

 
Metal/Material

Car Batteries

$0.22-$0.26/lb

Lead Backup Batteries

$0.16-$0.25/lb

Forklift Batteries

$0.16-$0.22/lb

Steel Case Batteries

$0.16-$0.23/lb

Cell Site Lead Batteries

$0.16-$0.24/lb

A123 BatteriesCall For Price

 

Absolyte BatteriesCall For Price

 

Lithium Ion Batteries

$1.50-$2.50/lb

Metal/Material

Small Foreign Cat

$82-$97/each

Medium Foreign Cat

$105-$130/each

Large Foreign Cat

$117-$250/each

Foreign Pre-Cat

$32-$45/each

Domestic Cat

$51-$62/each

Pre-Domestic Cat

$24-$34/each

Small GM Cat

$83-$97/each

Large GM Cat

$88-$117/each

Regular Breadloaf Cat

$87-$100/each

Small Chrysler Cat

$57-$71/each

Large Chrysler Cat

$78-$97/each

Ford Cat

$68-$82/each

Ford Pre-Cat

$22-$28/each

Bead Cat

$25-$35/each

Diesel Cat

$5.00-$40/each

Small Wire

$13-$17/each

Large Wire Cat

$36-$48/each

Wire Pre-Cat

$7-$12/each

Half CatVaries, Ask

 

Aftermarket Cat

$8/each

DPF Catalytic Converter

$15-$450/each

AC Cats

$63-$78/each

Metal/Material

Steel

$0.03-$0.05/lb

Stainless Steel

$0.23/lb

Iron

$87.00/ton

Light Iron

$0.03/lb

Cast Iron

$0.06-$0.07/lb

Brake Rotors

$0.075/lb

Metal/Material

Clean Green Motherboards

$1.15/lb

Non-Green Motherboards

$0.55/lb

Memory Chips

$5.50-$7.50/lb

CPU Processor Chips

$3.00-$25/lb

Whole Computer Towers w/HD

$0.12/lb

Laptops

$0.50/lb

Power Supplies (w/ wires)

$0.12/lb

Harddrives w/Board

$0.40/lb

Harddrive PC Board

$2.50/lb

Telecom Equipment

$0.12-$0.25/lb

Servers

$0.18-$0.31/lb

Back PanelsCALLCALL

 

Low Grade Non PC Boards

$0.08/lb

Insulated Wire

$0.27-$0.62/lb

Computer Wire

$0.32/lb

AL Heat Sinks

$0.30/lb

Metal/Material

Carbide

$5.32/lb

Carbide Inserts/Shapes

$6.00-$6.75/lb

Monel

$1.60-$2.50/lb

FSX 414

$5.25/lb

Titanium

$0.35/lb

Nickel

$2.50-$3.00/lb

Inconel

$2.00-$2.75/lb

Tantalum

$25.00-$75.00/lb

High-Speed Steel

$.20/lb

Hastelloy

$1.75/lb

Hastelloy Shavings

$1.50-$2.00/lb

Hastelloy Solids

$1.75-$2.25/lb

Tin

$1.50/lb

Tin Solder

$1.50-$4.00/lb

Babbit

$2.50-$5.50/lb

Alnico Magnets

$1.50-$2.00/lb

Silver NA

 

Bronze

$1.18/lb

Platinum NA

 

Gold NA

 

Zinc NA

 

Tungsten $3.25/lb

 

Palladium NA

 

Incoloy NA

 

Rhodium NA

 

Molybdenum NA

 

Cobalt NA

 

Factors influencing scarp metal prices:

The scrap metal industry is an imperative component of many manufacturing, construction, and even electrical sectors. Most of the materials used within these industries are recycled from scrap metal. There are many factors which influence the prices of scrap metals in the industry. These are described here as follows. 

Table of Contents

Quality and quantity of Scrap Metals:

Two factors affect the quality of scrap metals i.e.; Contamination of metals and purity of metals. Metal contamination happens either for the insulation of metal or for the storage of fuel. However, contamination makes the metal non-valuable. On the other hand 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 metals is a critical determinant of its price.  High quantity leads to low price and low quantity leads to high price of scrap metals. Excessive supply, shortage of 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 time of year significantly affects scrap prices. The time of year influences prices of scrap metals by 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 their work and demand also decreases.
  • Seasonal demand: The demand for scrap metals entirely depends on the season. In warmer months, demand for scrap metal increases conversely in colder months, demand decreases gradually.
  • Weather conditions: Weather conditions also influence scrap metal prices. The demand and supply of scrap metals depend upon the condition of the weather. The warmer the weather, the more will, 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 refusing by products  from the production industry. For further use scrap metals are recycled into new raw materials. 
  • Energy and fuel: cost Energy and fuel cost in the transport of scrap metals affect prices of scrap metals. The more the cost of transport, the more will be the prices.

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, the prices may fall due to more material available in the market. If collecting and sorting of scrap metal become more efficient or less costly, supply increases, potentially lowering the prices. Import and export ability of scrap metal also affects prices.

Various industries including construction, automobiles and manufacturing use scrap metal. When these industries grow up  the demand also rises and so the prices also go up. If it becomes more efficient for companies to use recycled scrap metal than new metal the demand for scrap increases so the prices will also be high.

Location of sellers:

Location of scrap metal is the significant factor in determining the prices of scrap metals. In urban and industrial areas with good infrastructure and access to the global market, the sellers get more benefit due to high prices. While 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 metals to an area which is 9000 km away then it will reduce the cost because transportation of metal to a far place will lessen the value of the metal.

Market prices of new metals:

To make scrap metal more appealing to manufacturers the prices have to be appealing also. 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 the supply of scrap metals increases and vice versa.

International trade:

It plays a significant role in the prices of scrap metals due to various factors like; transportation costs, trade policies and currency exchange rate. When it comes to scrap metals foreign market is also considered.  Some countries like China and India have a high demand for scrap metals which influences global prices. Prices will rise due to high demand. Opposite to this, if demand falls prices may also fall. So international trade greatly influences the prices of scrap metals.

Current trends:

The current trends shaping scrap metal prices are complex. The rising energy and transportation costs, economic conditions and new technologies are collectively driving high demands for scrap metals. These trends are leading to an increase in price depending on demand and supply. Global demand, industrial activity, recycling policies,trade policies,fuel and energy cost, technological innovations and currency exchange rates all affect current trends in scrap metals.

Production and transportation costs:

Production costs are the expenses involved in processing, recycling and collecting scrap metals. These impact the prices of scrap metals. Processing cost, labor cost, energy cost, types of equipment, and quality of scrap metals affect production cost, which directly influences the prices of scrap metals. Transportation cost refers to the shipping cost in collecting the scrap metal then moving it to recycling facilities and from recycling facilities to buyers increasing the cost of scrap metals.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, current scrap metal prices are widely discussed in tabulated form in this article. Also the factors affecting scrap metal prices are also explained deeply covering the whole aspects. In short, we can say that scrap metals and their prices  are the most important element in the metal industry, which is necessary for growth of industry.

FAQs About the Types of Metals

Here are given commonly asked questions about scrap metal prices and factors affecting scrap metal prices.

There are following 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 cost

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 impact the value of scrap.

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

Location of seller significantly affect scrap prices due to 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 common metals due to their complex process of extraction and high demand in specialized industries.

Recycling of scrap metals contribute significantly to sustainability in several ways:

  • Conservation of natural resources 
  • Energy savings
  • Reduction of air and water pollution 
  • Reduction of landfill waste

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 to create  framework for recycling, regulating environmental standards and providing economic incentives.

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