Aluminum Scrap Prices Today
3 aluminum grades tracked. National averages updated daily.
About Aluminum
Aluminum is one of the staple categories at scrap yards across the country. Buyers downstream consume sorted material for beverage cans, building products, and automotive parts, supporting steady recycling activity. Inbound flow comes from household recycling, demolition siding, and end-of-life vehicles. rolling mills, can sheet producers, and extrusion billet plants are the typical downstream buyers for sorted loads. Sellers tracking Aluminum typically check posted rates at two or three yards on the same morning, since rates can shift with the daily commodity benchmark and yard-to-yard spreads come down to volume and downstream relationships.
Aluminum Grades
| Grade | Current Price | Unit | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum (Mixed) | $0.72 | /lb | Jul 14, 2026 |
| Aluminum Cans | $0.99 | /lb | Jul 14, 2026 |
| Aluminum Extrusion | $1.02 | /lb | Jul 14, 2026 |
What drives the Aluminum market
Aluminum yard rates follow the broader commodity market for beverage cans, building products, and automotive parts-grade material. Activity in industries that consume beverage cans, building products, and automotive parts feeds directly into posted yard rates. On the supply side, the steady flow from household recycling, demolition siding, and end-of-life vehicles sets the volume that hits the scale each week. Yards split the category into three grades, with Aluminum Extrusion paying highest and Aluminum (Mixed) carrying the discount tied to attached steel screws, plastic trim, and paint. The practical takeaway for sellers is that posted rates for Aluminum reflect both the commodity benchmark and the local pull from rolling mills, can sheet producers, and extrusion billet plants.
How Aluminum grades compare
Yards split Aluminum into three grades, and the spread between them reflects contamination, attached parts, and recovery yield. Aluminum Extrusion pays the highest of the family — it can move directly into rolling mills, can sheet producers, and extrusion billet plants. Aluminum (Mixed) pays a discount that reflects attached steel screws, plastic trim, and paint mixed in with the load. Trimming off attached steel screws, plastic trim, and paint at home is the simplest way to land in a higher grade.
Aluminum Prices by State
Frequently asked about Aluminum
- Which grade of Aluminum pays the highest?
- On a per-pound basis, Aluminum Extrusion pays the highest of the family because downstream buyers can move it straight into rolling mills, can sheet producers, and extrusion billet plants without further sorting.
- How are Aluminum prices set?
- Posted yard prices track the daily commodity benchmark, with each yard adding or subtracting based on volume, sorting cost, and shipping distance to rolling mills, can sheet producers, and extrusion billet plants.
- Where can I find Aluminum to scrap?
- Aluminum shows up in household recycling, demolition siding, and end-of-life vehicles. Common sources include parts tied to beverage cans, building products, and automotive parts — old wiring, removed plumbing, salvaged appliances, and trade scraps from contractors and remodelers.
- Why does Aluminum pricing change from week to week?
- Posted yard rates follow the underlying commodity market, which responds to industrial demand and inventory cycles. When the benchmark moves, yard rates usually catch up within a couple of business days.
- Do all scrap yards buy Aluminum?
- Aluminum is one of the staple categories, so the typical yard handles it. Some yards focus on auto salvage, demolition, or industrial accounts and may not post rates for every grade.
- How can I get a higher price for my Aluminum?
- Removing attached steel screws, plastic trim, and paint before bringing the load in is the simplest way to land in a cleaner grade on the scale. Sorting by grade ahead of time also helps the yard process your material faster.