Zinc Scrap Prices Today
1 zinc grade tracked. National averages updated daily.
About Zinc
Yards keep a posted rate for Zinc alongside the other commodity metals on the price board. End demand centers on die-cast hardware, automotive trim, and small castings, which keeps the category active in nearly every region. Inbound flow comes from old hardware turnover and automotive trim recycling. Sorted loads ship on to die-cast remelters and zinc alloy producers, which closes the recycling loop. Sellers bringing in Zinc should plan on calling ahead — posted rates shift with the underlying commodity benchmark, and the spread between yards in any one area usually comes down to volume and shipping logistics.
Zinc Grades
| Grade | Current Price | Unit | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zinc Die Cast | $1.08 | /lb | Nov 10, 2026 |
What drives the Zinc market
What sets Zinc prices is the daily commodity benchmark plus a yard-specific margin. Activity in industries that consume die-cast hardware, automotive trim, and small castings feeds directly into posted yard rates. On the supply side, the steady flow from old hardware turnover and automotive trim recycling sets the volume that hits the scale each week. Zinc Die Cast carries one posted rate, with the yard adjusting for chrome plating, steel inserts, and rubber bushings on a load-by-load basis. Calling two or three nearby yards on the same morning gives a useful read on where Zinc rates are sitting that week.
How Zinc grades compare
Yards typically buy Zinc as a single grade, posted on the price board as Zinc Die Cast. What yards see in the load is automotive trim pieces, door handles, carburetor housings, and old hardware. What lowers the posted price is chrome plating, steel inserts, and rubber bushings mixed into the load. Removing chrome plating, steel inserts, and rubber bushings at home is the simplest way to avoid a deduction at the scale.
Zinc Prices by State
Frequently asked about Zinc
- Is it worth driving farther for a higher Zinc price?
- Calling a couple of yards in your area on the same morning gives a useful read on local rates. The price spread between yards is usually small enough that fuel cost eats most of the gain unless you're hauling a heavy load.
- Why does Zinc Die Cast sometimes pay below the posted rate?
- Yards apply deductions when the load includes chrome plating, steel inserts, and rubber bushings. Cleaning the material at home before the trip in is the simplest way to clear at the full posted rate.
- How are Zinc 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 die-cast remelters and zinc alloy producers.
- Why does Zinc 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.
- How can I get a higher price for my Zinc?
- Removing chrome plating, steel inserts, and rubber bushings 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.
- Do all scrap yards buy Zinc?
- Zinc 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 much is zinc per pound at a scrap yard today?
- As of Nov 10, 2026, the US national average is $1.08/lb for Zinc Die Cast. Yards quote around these figures depending on grade, cleanliness and volume, so call two or three with your weight for a firm price.