Scrap Yards in Texas
We list 597 scrap yards in 220 Texas cities; the most are in Houston (111), Dallas (46) and Fort Worth (25).
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 Texas center. View all yards by city below.
There are 597 scrap yards on record in Texas, in 220 different cities; sellers near Houston, Dallas, and Fort Worth have the largest number of buyers to choose from. The state's economy of oil and gas, petrochemicals, technology hardware, and aerospace shapes what comes through the gate, from construction and demolition metal to industrial offcuts and end-of-life vehicles. 26 of these listings name lead, auto parts, electronics, or precious metals among accepted materials; many listings do not name materials at all, so call ahead if you have something other than common metals. Price pages on this site show a daily US average estimate per grade. Texas yards set their own rates around that figure based on volume, prep, and freight, so treat it as a baseline and confirm by phone. Pick a city below to see the yards, hours, and directions, and bring a photo ID: scrap purchases are logged, and state law often requires identification for metal sales.
Scrap metal laws in Texas
Texas regulates "metal recycling entities" under Occupations Code chapter 1956. To sell regulated material you'll need to show a personal identification document, give the yard the make, model, color and license plate of the vehicle you arrived in, and either show documentation that you own the material or sign a statement that you are the legal owner or entitled to sell it. The yard photographs or videos your face and each type of metal purchased, and for a catalytic converter takes a thumbprint unless you hold a state cash transaction card. Selling a catalytic converter also requires the year, make, model and VIN of the vehicle it came from plus a copy of the title or other proof of ownership.
Cash payment is allowed only if you have a cash transaction card; otherwise you'll be paid by check, money order, debit card or direct deposit. Yards hold catalytic converters five days and bronze cemetery items eight days before processing (72 hours for most other material). Central air-conditioning coils require a contractor license, technician registration or replacement paperwork, and burned insulated wire requires proof it was salvaged from a fire.
Yards keep records two years and file electronic transaction reports with the Department of Public Safety within two working days (next working day for cemetery items). Showing a false or borrowed ID, or lying about ownership, is a Class A misdemeanor; if a catalytic converter is involved it is a state jail felony, rising to a third-degree felony with a prior conviction. Consult a lawyer for advice about your specific situation.
Sources: Tex. Occ. Code §§ 1956.032, 1956.0321, 1956.033, 1956.0331, 1956.034, 1956.036, 1956.037, 1956.0381, 1956.038, 1956.040 — statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/OC/htm/OC.1956.htm
Informational summary of state statute, not legal advice. Laws change; check the cited sources or a lawyer before relying on this.
Scrap prices in Texas
National averages updated Nov 10, 2026; each page lists Texas yards that buy it.
Scrap yards in Texas: common questions
How many scrap yards are in Texas?
We list 597 scrap yards in 220 Texas cities. The cities with the most are Houston (111), Dallas (46) and Fort Worth (25).
How much is scrap copper worth in Texas today?
Our US average estimate for Bare Bright Copper is $5.54/lb (updated Nov 10, 2026). We do not track Texas-specific prices: each yard sets its own rate, so call ahead before you load up.
Are there scrap metal laws in Texas?
Yes. Texas has rules for scrap metal sales; this page summarizes them with links to the statute in the "Scrap metal laws in Texas" section. It is not legal advice.