Why does Aluminum (Mixed) pricing change from week to week?

Posted yard rates for Aluminum (Mixed) follow underlying commodity benchmarks plus a yard-specific margin. When the benchmark moves, posted prices catch up within a couple business days at the typical yard.

Will I get a higher price if I sort or clean my Aluminum (Mixed)?

Yes — removing attached steel screws, plastic trim, and paint before bringing material in usually lands you in a cleaner grade on the price board. Even an hour of prep work at home can move the ticket up.

Where can I sell Aluminum (Mixed) near me?

You can search yards by ZIP code from the search page and filter for ones that accept Aluminum (Mixed). Yards typically post their daily rates by phone or on a sign at the scale.

What does Aluminum (Mixed) go into after the yard?

Sorted Aluminum (Mixed) is shipped to mills or refiners that produce consumer packaging and building products. The recovered material reduces the need to mine new ore and keeps the recycling loop tight.

How is Aluminum (Mixed) weighed and paid?

Yards weigh material on a public scale and pay by the pound. The posted rate on the day you bring it in is what applies — calling ahead is the safest way to confirm.

How are yard prices for Aluminum (Mixed) different from the spot price?

Spot is the wholesale benchmark. Yards pay a fraction of spot to cover sorting, shipping to a downstream mill or refiner, and their own margin. The fraction varies by grade and by how much volume the yard moves.

Aluminum (Mixed) Scrap Price Today

National average and per-state rates. Last updated Nov 10, 2026.

US National Average

$0.70/lb

▲ 1.4% over 30 days (from $0.69)

Estimated daily: metal spot price from MetalpriceAPI × a grade factor. How we calculate prices. Exchange prices for comparison: LME, COMEX.

What is Aluminum (Mixed)?

Common scrap sources: aluminum engine block (bare), aluminum bicycle frame, auto radiator (aluminum/plastic), window ac unit (5,000-15,000 btu), central ac condenser unit (outdoor), laptop computer, car alternator, and push lawn mower (gas).

How to prep Aluminum (Mixed)

Prep guidance for items that contain Aluminum (Mixed):

Aluminum Engine Block (Bare): Drain all engine oil and coolant before transport — yards refuse blocks with fluid inside. Pull steel cylinder liners with a slide hammer if practical, then sell them as light iron for clean-aluminum pricing on the block. Verify aluminum (not iron) by magnet test before listing — iron blocks pay differently.
Aluminum Bicycle Frame: Try resale or donation first — almost any working adult bike has more value as transportation than as scrap. For scrap, separate the steel chain, gears, and bottom bracket (light iron) from the aluminum frame. Steel-frame vintage bikes are resale items; check the brand before scrapping.
Auto Radiator (Aluminum/Plastic): Cut off the plastic end-tanks for the higher 'aluminum extrusion' or clean-aluminum rate (instead of dirty). Drain coolant — yards may refuse wet units. If the radiator is older copper/brass, do not strip; sell whole at the brass rate.
Window AC Unit (5,000-15,000 BTU): Refrigerant must be evacuated by a certified tech first. Some yards offer this service. The cleanest payday is to cut out the radiator-style coil and sell aluminum and copper separately, but most non-pros sell whole units.

Aluminum (Mixed) — 90-day price history

What drives the Aluminum (Mixed) market

Aluminum (Mixed) pricing tracks the part of the broader Aluminum market that supplies beverage cans, building products, and auto parts. The supply that reaches yards is driven by demolition siding and consumer goods recycling. When packaging and construction slows or speeds up, posted yard prices for Aluminum (Mixed) usually move with it. siding, cans, and small castings is one of the regular streams sellers bring in. On the consumer side, recovered Aluminum (Mixed) feeds consumer packaging and building products. Anyone selling Aluminum (Mixed) regularly will see that posted rates move with the broader commodity benchmark plus the rhythm of packaging and construction, with each yard's volume and downstream relationships then setting where they land inside that band.

How Aluminum (Mixed) grades differ on the price board

Pricing across Aluminum grades depends on how clean the material is. Aluminum Extrusion sits at the top of the scale; it is sold as billet stock for new extrusion. Aluminum (Mixed) pays a lower rate, which reflects attached steel, plastic, or paint. Trimming off attached steel screws, plastic trim, and paint at home is the simplest way to land in a cleaner grade.

Frequently asked about Aluminum (Mixed)

Why does Aluminum (Mixed) pricing change from week to week?: Posted yard rates for Aluminum (Mixed) follow underlying commodity benchmarks plus a yard-specific margin. When the benchmark moves, posted prices catch up within a couple business days at the typical yard.
Will I get a higher price if I sort or clean my Aluminum (Mixed)?: Yes — removing attached steel screws, plastic trim, and paint before bringing material in usually lands you in a cleaner grade on the price board. Even an hour of prep work at home can move the ticket up.
Where can I sell Aluminum (Mixed) near me?: You can search yards by ZIP code from the search page and filter for ones that accept Aluminum (Mixed). Yards typically post their daily rates by phone or on a sign at the scale.
What does Aluminum (Mixed) go into after the yard?: Sorted Aluminum (Mixed) is shipped to mills or refiners that produce consumer packaging and building products. The recovered material reduces the need to mine new ore and keeps the recycling loop tight.
How is Aluminum (Mixed) weighed and paid?: Yards weigh material on a public scale and pay by the pound. The posted rate on the day you bring it in is what applies — calling ahead is the safest way to confirm.
How are yard prices for Aluminum (Mixed) different from the spot price?: Spot is the wholesale benchmark. Yards pay a fraction of spot to cover sorting, shipping to a downstream mill or refiner, and their own margin. The fraction varies by grade and by how much volume the yard moves.