Scrap Yards in Florida
We list 444 scrap yards in 136 Florida cities; the most are in Miami (44), Tampa (30) and Orlando (26).
Listings carried over from this site's earlier directory (imported May 9, 2026); yards Google lists as permanently closed are left out. How we check listings.
Showing the 100 yards closest to the Florida center. View all yards by city below.
There are 444 scrap yards on record in Florida, in 136 different cities; sellers near Miami, Tampa, and Orlando have the largest number of buyers to choose from. What Florida yards see day to day reflects the local mix of tourism, aerospace, agriculture, and construction: building and plumbing copper, aluminum from vehicles and cans, and steel from construction and equipment. Accepted materials are shown where the yard has listed them: 25 Florida listings name lead, auto parts, electronics, or precious metals, and many name none, so call ahead before you load up. Price pages on this site show a daily US average estimate per grade. Florida yards set their own rates around that figure based on volume, prep, and freight, so treat it as a baseline and confirm by phone. Use the city list below to find a yard near you, check the hours before you drive, and carry a photo ID, since yards record every sale and state law often requires it.
Scrap metal laws in Florida
Florida regulates secondary metals recyclers under Part II of chapter 538. To sell, you'll need to present a personal identification card (a driver license or similar government photo ID); the yard records your name, address, physical description and ID number, takes your thumbprint, photographs or videos your face and the metal, and records the make, model and tag number of your vehicle and trailer. Yards may only buy between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. from sellers who arrive by motor vehicle and are at least 18.
Cash is capped at $1,000 per transaction, and no cash may be paid for "restricted regulated metals property." Anything above $1,000, and any restricted item, is paid by a check mailed within three days to the street address on file (no P.O. boxes) or by electronic payment to an account in your name. Restricted items include manhole covers, street and traffic signs and signals, funeral markers and vases, stainless steel beer kegs, detached catalytic converters, burned wire, and copper or aluminum-copper air-conditioning coils; the yard must obtain reasonable proof of ownership, such as a receipt, before buying them. Detached catalytic converters are held 10 business days before processing.
Records are kept three years and transmitted electronically to law enforcement by 10 a.m. the next business day. Giving false verification of ownership or a false or altered ID is a third-degree felony, or a second-degree felony if you receive $300 or more. Possessing a detached catalytic converter without proof of ownership is separately a third-degree felony. Consult a lawyer for advice about your specific situation.
Sources: Fla. Stat. §§ 538.19, 538.23, 538.235, 538.26, 860.142 — www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Stat… ; www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Stat… ; www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Stat… ; www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Stat… ; www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/Chapter860/All
Informational summary of state statute, not legal advice. Laws change; check the cited sources or a lawyer before relying on this.
Scrap prices in Florida
National averages updated Nov 10, 2026; each page lists Florida yards that buy it.
Scrap yards in Florida: common questions
How many scrap yards are in Florida?
We list 444 scrap yards in 136 Florida cities. The cities with the most are Miami (44), Tampa (30) and Orlando (26).
How much is scrap copper worth in Florida today?
Our US average estimate for Bare Bright Copper is $5.54/lb (updated Nov 10, 2026). We do not track Florida-specific prices: each yard sets its own rate, so call ahead before you load up.
Are there scrap metal laws in Florida?
Yes. Florida has rules for scrap metal sales; this page summarizes them with links to the statute in the "Scrap metal laws in Florida" section. It is not legal advice.