Understanding the current value of copper is essential whether you’re a recycler, contractor, or simply curious about the scrap metal market. This guide provides an overview of copper prices per pound, including various types of copper and other metals. Please note that these are indicative estimations and subject to change based on market volatility.
Copper Prices Per Pound
Here’s a breakdown of copper prices per pound for different grades:
| Copper | Price/lb. |
|---|---|
| Bare Bright Wire (stripped/shiny) | $3.60 |
| #1 Tubing (clean tube/ clean fine wire) | $3.50 |
| #2 Tubing (paint/solder/burnt wire) | $3.35 |
| Tin Plated (wire/bus) | $3.35 |
| Enamel Coated (wire/bus) | $3.35 |
| Light Copper (used roofing/pots) | $3.00 |
| Clean Aluminum/Copper AC Coils (free of steel) | $1.60 |
| Irony Aluminum /Copper AC Coils (just steel edges) | $1.50 |
Alt text: A close-up of a neatly arranged pile of bright, clean, bare bright copper wire, ready to be recycled, showcasing its shiny, valuable nature.
Bare Bright Wire: This is the most valuable type of copper, characterized by its clean, unalloyed, and uncoated state. Stripped of any insulation, it’s often sourced from electrical wiring.
#1 Tubing: Refers to clean copper tubing and fine wire, free from any impurities like paint or solder.
#2 Tubing: This category includes copper tubing that may have paint, solder, or be from burnt wire, making it less pure than #1 tubing.
Tin Plated & Enamel Coated: Copper wire or bus bars coated with tin or enamel, respectively.
Light Copper: This includes used copper items like roofing materials or pots, which may have some wear and tear.
Clean Aluminum/Copper AC Coils: These coils are sourced from air conditioning units and must be free of steel for the highest price.
Irony Aluminum/Copper AC Coils: Similar to clean coils but may contain some steel edges.
Insulated Copper Prices Per Pound
The value of insulated copper depends on the percentage of copper content and the type of insulation.
| Insulated Copper | Price/lb. |
|---|---|
| Heavy Ins. (350-500 mcm THHN 85%+) | $2.90 |
| #1 Insulated (10-12 THHN 80%+) | $2.55 |
| Romex 65% (underground less) | $2.00 |
| Communication 50% (no aluminum/no tin plate/no spline) | $1.30 |
| Clean Extension Cord 35% (no plugs/no tin) | $0.70 |
| Low Yield 35% (tin plate/aluminum shield) | $0.60 |
| Low yield less than 35% (Christmas lights/ribbon wire) | $0.20 |
| Insulated Heliax (all copper/hollow center) | $1.30 |
| Aluminum MC (containing copper wire) | $1.30 |
| Steel BX (with copper/ no lead shield) | $0.30 |
Alt text: A diverse collection of insulated copper wires with varying colors and thicknesses, illustrating the different grades and copper recovery percentages influencing scrap value.
Heavy Ins. (350-500 mcm THHN 85%+): Thick gauge wire with a high copper content (85% or more) and THHN insulation.
#1 Insulated (10-12 THHN 80%+): Smaller gauge wire with THHN insulation and a slightly lower copper content (80%+).
Romex 65%: Typically used in residential wiring, Romex cable contains approximately 65% copper.
Communication 50%: Communication cables, provided they are free of aluminum, tin plating, and splines, can fetch a decent price.
Clean Extension Cord 35%: Clean extension cords, without plugs or tin, have a lower copper yield.
Low Yield 35%: Wires with tin plating or aluminum shielding fall into this category.
Low Yield Less Than 35%: This includes items like Christmas lights and ribbon wire, which have a minimal amount of copper.
Insulated Heliax: Features all-copper construction with a hollow center.
Aluminum MC: Aluminum Metal Clad cable containing copper wire.
Steel BX: Steel Flexible Metal Conduit (BX) cable containing copper, without a lead shield.
Brass Prices Per Pound
Brass is another valuable metal, with prices varying based on its composition and cleanliness.
| Brass | Price/lb. |
|---|---|
| Yellow Brass (clean) | $2.10 |
| Irony Brass (contamination, handles, graded upon inspect.) | varies |
| Red Brass (determined upon inspection) | $2.20 |
| Clean Auto Radiators (copper and brass combined) | $1.50 |
| Dirty Truck Radiators (copper and brass combined) | varies |
| Radiator Cores (mostly brass and solder) | $1.20 |
Alt text: A mixed collection of yellow and red brass scrap metal pieces, highlighting the color variations and potential for recycling value.
Yellow Brass: Clean yellow brass is a common alloy of copper and zinc.
Irony Brass: Brass contaminated with iron or other materials; pricing is determined upon inspection.
Red Brass: Red brass has a higher copper content than yellow brass, typically determined upon inspection.
Clean Auto Radiators: Auto radiators made of copper and brass.
Dirty Truck Radiators: Similar to auto radiators but may have more contamination.
Radiator Cores: Cores primarily made of brass and solder.
Stainless Steel Prices Per Pound
Stainless steel prices depend on the grade and preparation.
| Stainless Steel (non magnetic) | Price/lb. |
|---|---|
| 304 Prepared (4 ft. or smaller and clean) | $0.30 |
| 304 Unprepared (larger than 4 ft./3% contamination) | $0.15 |
| 316 stainless (4 ft. or smaller and clean) | $0.40 |
304 Prepared: Clean, non-magnetic stainless steel, cut to 4 ft or smaller.
304 Unprepared: Larger pieces or those with up to 3% contamination.
316 Stainless: A higher grade of stainless steel, clean and cut to size.
Aluminum Prices Per Pound
Aluminum scrap prices vary significantly based on the type and cleanliness.
| Aluminum | Price/lb. |
|---|---|
| Alloy Wheels (tire completely removed/no chrome or plastic) | $0.70 |
| Extruded Aluminum (free of plastic/other metals) | $0.60 |
| E.C. Wire (free of insulation and steel) | $0.60 |
| Litho Plate (clean) | $0.60 |
| MLC/New Clips (no paint or other contamination) | $0.50 |
| Aluminum Siding (no backing/steel nails/plastic film) | $0.50 |
| Contractor Siding (Clean) | $0.53 |
| Mixed Aluminum/Old Sheet (1% contamination) | $0.45 |
| Clean Aluminum Radiators (No tanks) | $0.45 |
| Dirty Aluminum Radiators (With tanks) | $0.15 |
| Cast Aluminum (1% contamination) | $0.40 |
| Aluminum Cans (under 100 lbs. No Pet Food or Foil) | $0.45 |
| Aluminum Cans (over 100 lbs. No Pet Food or Foil) | $0.48 |
| Insulated E.C. (can vary based on contamination) | $0.30 |
| Irony Aluminum | varies |
| Pet Food Cans (No Foil) | $0.15 |
Alt text: A mixed pile of aluminum scrap featuring siding, beverage cans, and various extrusions, indicating the diverse range of recyclable aluminum products.
Alloy Wheels: Aluminum wheels with tires completely removed and free of chrome or plastic.
Extruded Aluminum: Clean aluminum extrusions free of plastic and other metals.
E.C. Wire: Electrical conductor wire free of insulation and steel.
Litho Plate: Clean aluminum lithographic printing plates.
MLC/New Clips: Metal lamination composite or new aluminum clips without paint or contamination.
Aluminum Siding: Aluminum siding without backing, steel nails, or plastic film.
Contractor Siding: Clean aluminum siding from construction sites.
Mixed Aluminum/Old Sheet: Mixed aluminum sheet with minimal contamination.
Clean Aluminum Radiators: Aluminum radiators without tanks.
Dirty Aluminum Radiators: Aluminum radiators with tanks.
Cast Aluminum: Cast aluminum with minimal contamination.
Aluminum Cans: Aluminum beverage cans (prices vary based on quantity).
Insulated E.C.: Insulated electrical conductor wire (price varies based on contamination).
Irony Aluminum: Aluminum with iron contamination (price varies).
Pet Food Cans: Pet food cans without foil.
Lead/Batteries Prices Per Pound
Lead and batteries also have value in the scrap metal market.
| Lead/Batteries | Price/lb. |
|---|---|
| Soft Lead (clean and malleable) | $0.40 |
| Wheel Weights (unsorted) | $0.10 |
| Wheel Weights (sorted) | $0.15 |
| Auto/Industrial Lead Acid Batteries | $0.15 |
| Steel Cased Forklift | $0.10 |
Soft Lead: Clean, malleable lead.
Wheel Weights: Lead wheel weights (prices vary based on sorting).
Auto/Industrial Lead Acid Batteries: Lead-acid batteries from automobiles and industrial applications.
Steel Cased Forklift: Steel-cased forklift batteries.
CBM (Copper Bearing Material) Prices Per Pound
Copper-bearing materials contain copper but require processing to extract it.
| CBM (copper bearing material) | Price/lb. |
|---|---|
| Small Electric Motors (basketball or smaller) | $0.30 |
| Large Electric Motors (cast iron case/larger than b-ball) | $0.20 |
| Light Ballasts (marked no pcb/no fluorescent type or UV) | $0.10 |
| Sealed Units (oil must be drained) | $0.20 |
Small Electric Motors: Electric motors basketball-sized or smaller.
Large Electric Motors: Larger electric motors with cast iron cases.
Light Ballasts: Ballasts marked as PCB-free and not fluorescent or UV type.
Sealed Units: Sealed refrigeration units (oil must be drained).
Steel Prices Per Pound
Steel is a common and widely recycled metal.
| Steel | Price/lb. |
|---|---|
| Unprepared Bulky Needs To Be Sheared/Torched | $0.06 |
| Shredder/Unprepared Plate & Structural | $0.08 |
| Vehicles (must have title) | $0.08 |
| Cast Iron | $0.09 |
| Prepared #1 (5’x2’x2’max and 1/4″ min. thickness) | $0.09 |
| Clean Cast Rotors | $0.09 |
| Chain Link Fence/All Fencing | $0.02 |
Unprepared Bulky: Bulky steel items requiring shearing or torching.
Shredder/Unprepared Plate & Structural: Steel plates and structural elements.
Vehicles: Scrap vehicles with a title.
Cast Iron: Cast iron scrap.
Prepared #1: Steel cut to specified dimensions and thickness.
Clean Cast Rotors: Clean cast iron rotors.
Chain Link Fence/All Fencing: Chain link fencing and other fencing materials.
Conclusion
Understanding the different grades and types of copper and other metals is crucial for maximizing your returns when recycling. Keep in mind that these prices are estimates and can fluctuate. For the most up-to-date pricing, it’s best to Contact Us directly for current scrap metal prices.
