Scrap Yards in North Carolina
We list 238 scrap yards in 116 North Carolina cities; the most are in Charlotte (30), Asheville (6) and Durham (6).
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 North Carolina center. View all yards by city below.
There are 238 scrap yards on record in North Carolina, in 116 different cities; sellers near Charlotte, Asheville, and Durham have the largest number of buyers to choose from. The state's economy of biotechnology, banking, furniture, and textile-derived industries shapes what comes through the gate, from construction and demolition metal to industrial offcuts and end-of-life vehicles. Accepted materials are shown where the yard has listed them: 7 North Carolina 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. North Carolina 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 North Carolina
North Carolina regulates secondary metals recyclers under Article 45 of Chapter 66 (G.S. 66-420 and following). You'll need an unexpired driver's license or other government photo ID, which the recycler photocopies or scans; it also records your name and address, your vehicle's plate, make, model and color, and takes a video or digital photograph of you with the material. For detached catalytic converters and central air-conditioning coils or condensers you'll also give a fingerprint, and you sign a statement that you have the lawful right to sell the property. Records are kept electronically at least two years, and receipts must be available for daily pickup if the sheriff or police chief asks.
Cash is capped at $100 per transaction for nonferrous metal; anything above is paid by check, money order or cash card, and a recycler may make only one cash purchase per day from the same person. Recyclers cannot buy central air-conditioning coils except from contractors in that trade, or a detached catalytic converter except from people listed in G.S. 14-164.1 (dealers, repair shops, recyclers, salvage yards, or an individual whose registration matches the converter), and cannot buy utility-marked metal, access covers, street signs, traffic signals, cemetery markers, branded kegs or railroad parts. Officers can place 15-day holds on suspect material.
A first violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor and a second a Class I felony, plus a $1,000 fine per catalytic converter violation. Knowingly possessing a detached catalytic converter without lawful documentation is separately a Class I felony. Consult a lawyer for advice about your specific situation.
Sources: N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 66-421, 66-422, 66-423, 66-424, 66-425, 66-429; N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-164.1 — www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByArticle/Cha… ; www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Cha…
Informational summary of state statute, not legal advice. Laws change; check the cited sources or a lawyer before relying on this.
Scrap prices in North Carolina
National averages updated Nov 10, 2026; each page lists North Carolina yards that buy it.
Scrap yards in North Carolina: common questions
How many scrap yards are in North Carolina?
We list 238 scrap yards in 116 North Carolina cities. The cities with the most are Charlotte (30), Asheville (6) and Durham (6).
How much is scrap copper worth in North Carolina today?
Our US average estimate for Bare Bright Copper is $5.54/lb (updated Nov 10, 2026). We do not track North Carolina-specific prices: each yard sets its own rate, so call ahead before you load up.
Are there scrap metal laws in North Carolina?
Yes. North Carolina has rules for scrap metal sales; this page summarizes them with links to the statute in the "Scrap metal laws in North Carolina" section. It is not legal advice.