Scrap metal recycling is the largest industrial recycling sector in the US, processing 130 million tons annually worth $90+ billion. For consumers, scrap metal is also one of the most accessible cash recycling streams - any local scrap yard pays cash for sorted metal in any quantity. This guide covers what pays what, where to sell, how to sort by grade, and the state-by-state recordkeeping rules required by US metal-theft laws.
Scrap metal prices by type (May 2026)
| Metal | Grade | Price per lb | Common sources |
|---|
| Copper #1 (bright) | $4.20-$4.80 | Clean stripped electrical wire, fresh plumbing, bare bus bar |
| Copper #2 | $3.00-$3.70 | Used copper pipes, soldered fittings |
| Brass (yellow) | $1.80-$3.20 | Plumbing fittings, fixtures, ammo casings |
| Bronze | $2.20-$3.40 | Bearings, decorative items, marine fittings |
| Aluminum (clean) | $0.40-$0.70 | Cans, sheet metal, wheels |
| Aluminum (extruded) | $0.55-$0.85 | Window frames, gutters, lawn furniture |
| Stainless steel (304) | $0.55-$0.95 | Kitchen sinks, appliances, food-grade tanks |
| Stainless steel (316) | $0.85-$1.40 | Marine/chemical equipment, surgical |
| Lead (clean) | $0.45-$0.85 | Battery plates, wheel weights, plumbing |
| Zinc | $0.55-$0.95 | Die-cast parts, galvanizing scrap |
| Steel/iron (mixed) | $0.08-$0.18 | Appliances, structural, automotive |
| Cast iron | $0.10-$0.20 | Engine blocks, plumbing fittings, manhole covers |
LME spot prices fluctuate daily 5-15%. Local payback typically tracks 60-75% of LME spot due to recycler processing margin.
Where to sell scrap metal
| Option | Best for | Notes |
|---|
| Local scrap yard (walk-in cash) | Any quantity, any grade | 5,000+ US locations; bring photo ID per state recordkeeping rules |
| Specialty buyer (Cohen Recycling, ScrapMonster) | 100+ lbs pre-sorted clean material | $0.05-$0.15/lb premium for sorted lots |
| Mobile scrap pickup (ScrapRunners, Junk King) | 500+ lbs lots, demolition jobs | Free pickup over weight threshold; pickup fee $30-$80 for smaller |
| Mail-in scrap services | Rural areas, smaller lots | Prepaid pickup labels; 14-21 day payment, typically 80-90% of walk-in rate |
How to grade and sort
- Sort by metal type first: copper, brass, aluminum, steel - never mix in one container
- Sort by grade within each type: #1 (clean) versus #2 (oxidized/contaminated)
- Remove contaminants: solder, paint, insulation from electrical wire, brass fittings from copper pipes
- Magnet test for identification: copper + brass + aluminum + stainless 304 don't attract; steel + iron + nickel attract
- Bundle and weigh before delivery so you know the expected payout
The biggest payout boost: STRIP insulation from electrical wire. Insulated cable pays $0.80-$2.40/lb; the same wire stripped of insulation pays $3.80-$4.50/lb because it grades as #1 bright copper. A wire stripper costs $35-$150 and pays back in 25-50 lbs.
State-by-state recordkeeping rules
All US states require scrap yards to keep transaction records under metal-theft prevention laws:
- Photo ID required for any cash transaction (driver license, government ID)
- Photograph of seller kept on file for 2+ years
- Transaction record including weight, grade, payment amount, date
- Payment by check (not cash) for sales above $100 in most states
- Waiting period (3-7 days) for cash payment in some states (CA, TX, AZ)
- Thumbprint required in some states (CA, AZ, NV)
These laws exist because US copper theft alone costs over $1 billion annually. Compliance is the scrap yard's responsibility but expect to provide all the above when selling.
What you can scrap at home
| Item | Metal type | Value |
|---|
| Old washing machine | Mixed steel + aluminum + copper motor | $8-$25 stripped |
| AC condenser unit | Copper + aluminum (25-50 lbs copper) | $80-$300 |
| Old refrigerator | Steel + aluminum + copper compressor | $15-$40 (need refrigerant recovery) |
| Cast iron bathtub | Cast iron + steel | $20-$60 |
| Aluminum window frames | Extruded aluminum | $0.55-$0.85/lb (~10-30 lbs each) |
| Brass plumbing fittings | Yellow brass | $1.80-$3.20/lb (~0.3-0.8 lbs each) |
| Copper plumbing pipes | Copper #1-#2 | $3.00-$4.80/lb |
| Steel rebar + structural | Mixed steel | $0.08-$0.18/lb |
| Aluminum lawn furniture | Extruded aluminum | $0.55-$0.85/lb |
| Old water heater (electric) | Steel + copper element | $5-$15 |
| Engine block (cast iron) | Cast iron | $30-$90 (200-300 lbs) |
| Catalytic converter | Platinum, palladium, rhodium | $50-$1,500 depending on model |
Catalytic converters - the highest-value scrap item
Catalytic converters contain platinum, palladium, and rhodium - the most valuable metals in any consumer scrap stream. Recent prices:
- Platinum: $920/oz
- Palladium: $1,250/oz
- Rhodium: $7,200/oz
A typical passenger-vehicle catalytic converter contains 3-7 grams of platinum group metals = $50-$300 scrap value. High-flow performance converters: $500-$2,000.
WARNING: Catalytic converter theft is a major crime in the US. Sell only to licensed scrap yards with full documentation - never to a stranger or back-alley buyer. Federal investigation under USA PATRIOT Act may apply to large quantities.
Why scrap metal pays so well
Recycled metals use 40-95% less energy than primary production:
- Steel: 75% energy saving (saves 8 MWh/ton)
- Aluminum: 95% energy saving (14 MWh/ton)
- Copper: 85% energy saving (12 MWh/ton)
- Lead: 65% energy saving (4 MWh/ton)
The US recycles approximately 90% of all consumer scrap metal - one of the highest commodity recycling rates. Demand from new manufacturing (auto industry, construction, electronics) keeps prices stable.
What's NOT scrap-yard accepted
- Cans with liquid contents - drain thoroughly first
- Hazardous materials (asbestos-bearing items, mercury items, PCB capacitors) - require specialized disposal
- Lithium-ion batteries (fire risk in scrap processing) - Call2Recycle or HHW
- Refrigerators with refrigerant - need EPA-certified refrigerant recovery first
- Tires - tire recycling is separate channel ($2-$15/tire disposal)
- Mixed paint or coatings - hazardous waste, not scrap metal
Sources
- Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) annual statistics
- London Metal Exchange (LME) spot prices
- US Department of Justice copper theft impact estimates
- California Business + Professions Code § 21605 (scrap-metal seller ID requirements)
- US EPA Sustainable Materials Management metals data
Last verified: 2026-05-23. Scrap metal prices fluctuate daily with LME spot. Verify current rate with your local scrap yard before transport.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do scrap yards pay for metal?
Depends on type and grade: Copper #1 $4.20-$4.80/lb, Brass $1.80-$3.20/lb, Aluminum $0.40-$0.85/lb, Stainless steel $0.55-$1.40/lb, Lead $0.45-$0.85/lb, Steel/iron $0.08-$0.18/lb, Cast iron $0.10-$0.20/lb. LME spot prices fluctuate daily; local payback tracks 60-75% of LME spot due to recycler margin.
Where can I sell scrap metal near me?
Local scrap yards (5,000+ US locations) pay cash for any quantity walk-in. Bring photo ID - all US states require recordkeeping under metal-theft prevention laws. For 100+ lb pre-sorted clean lots, specialty buyers like Cohen Recycling or ScrapMonster network pay $0.05-$0.15/lb premium. Mobile pickup over 500 lbs available from ScrapRunners, Junk King.
What is the most valuable scrap metal?
Catalytic converters contain platinum + palladium + rhodium worth $50-$2,000 per unit. Copper is the most valuable everyday metal at $4-$4.80/lb (clean grade). Stainless steel 316 (marine/chemical grade): $0.85-$1.40/lb. Brass: $1.80-$3.20/lb. Aluminum extruded (window frames, gutters): $0.55-$0.85/lb.
How do I sort scrap metal for the best price?
Sort by metal type first (copper, brass, aluminum, steel separately), then by grade within each type (#1 clean vs #2 oxidized/contaminated). Remove contaminants like solder, paint, insulation from electrical wire. Strip insulation from cable (pays 2-3x more as #1 bright copper). Magnet test: copper, brass, aluminum, stainless 304 don't attract; steel + iron + nickel attract.
Why do I need ID at the scrap yard?
All US states require scrap yards to record seller identity under metal-theft prevention laws (California Business + Professions Code § 21605 and similar). Expected: photo ID, photograph, transaction record (weight + grade + amount), payment by check for over $100. US copper theft alone costs over $1 billion annually - these laws are compliance tools.
How much is an old AC condenser worth?
Residential AC condenser units contain 25-50 lbs of copper coil + tubing = $80-$300 scrap value at current $4.18/lb copper spot price. Window AC units: 5-15 lbs copper, $20-$80. Larger central AC + commercial HVAC: 50-200+ lbs copper, $200-$1,000 scrap value. Remove the refrigerant first (EPA Clean Air Act requirement) before scrap-yard transport.
Can I scrap a refrigerator?
Yes but the refrigerant must be removed first by an EPA-certified technician (Clean Air Act Section 608). Most scrap yards refuse refrigerators with refrigerant still inside. Some local recyclers offer refrigerant recovery + scrap for $25-$75 total. After recovery, the steel + aluminum + copper compressor scrap value: $15-$40.
How much is a catalytic converter worth?
Standard passenger-vehicle catalytic converters contain 3-7 grams of platinum group metals (platinum $920/oz, palladium $1,250/oz, rhodium $7,200/oz) = $50-$300 scrap value. High-flow performance converters: $500-$2,000. Sell only to licensed scrap yards with full documentation - catalytic converter theft is a federal-investigation crime.
Does the scrap yard accept appliances?
Yes - old washing machines ($8-$25 stripped), dryers ($5-$15), water heaters ($5-$15), cast-iron bathtubs ($20-$60), old water heaters, microwaves. Remove power cords (separate strip for copper recovery), check for refrigerant on fridges/AC. Most scrap yards charge a $0-$25 acceptance fee for whole appliances or pay nothing - the value is in the stripped metal.
Is scrap metal recycling worth the effort?
Depends on volume. Casual household scrap (1-2 trips per year): mostly hassle for $10-$50. Active metal-rich household (renovation, DIY, regular yard cleanups): $200-$2,000 per year. Estate cleanouts: $500-$5,000. Commercial demolition: $5,000-$50,000+. The break-even point is when you can deliver 50+ lbs per trip with pre-sorting done.