(as of June 2025) representative . Please remember these are general guides, and you should ALWAYS call the specific scrap yard before you go to confirm their exact prices for the day and for your specific type and condition of metal.

Key things to note:

• Cleanliness Matters: "Clean" (no non-metal attachments) metal fetches a much higher price than "dirty" or "mixed" scrap.
   
• Sorting is Key: Yards pay different rates for different types of metal. Separate your copper, aluminum, brass, and steel for maximum payout.
• Copper Grades: Copper prices vary significantly by grade (#1 Bare Bright, #1, #2, insulated wire, etc.).
   
• Ferrous vs. Non-Ferrous: Non-ferrous metals (copper, aluminum, brass) are always worth much more per pound than ferrous metals (iron, steel).

Current Representative Philadelphia Scrap Metal Prices (as of June 2025, per pound unless specified):

Copper:

• Bare Bright Copper Wire: $3.80 - $4.00 / Lb.
• #1 Copper (Clean Tubing/Pipe): $3.43 - $3.50 / Lb.
• #2 Copper (Tarnished, with minor impurities): $3.29 - $3.60 / Lb.
• Insulated Copper Wire (various grades):
  • #1 ICW (70%): $2.16 / Lb.
  • #2 ICW (55%): $1.30 - $1.51 / Lb.
  • THHN (82-88%): $2.40 - $3.25 / Lb. (depends on gauge)
  • Romex (65%): $2.10 / Lb.
  • Extension Cords: $1.00 / Lb.
  • Christmas Lights / Low Grade: $0.20 - $0.56 / Lb.

Aluminum:

• Aluminum Cans (UBC - Used Beverage Cans): $0.50 - $0.65 / Lb.
• Clean Aluminum Extrusion (6063): $0.81 - $0.82 / Lb.
• Cast Aluminum: $0.42 - $0.58 / Lb.
• Aluminum Siding: $0.60 - $0.70 / Lb.
• Aluminum Wheels (Clean): $0.75 - $0.80 / Lb.
• Aluminum Radiators (Clean): $0.40 - $0.57 / Lb.
• Aluminum Copper Radiators: $1.76 - $1.95 / Lb. (higher due to copper content)

Brass:

• Yellow Brass: $2.12 - $2.40 / Lb.
• Red Brass: $2.60 - $2.69 / Lb.
• Brass Shells (Clean): $2.10 - $2.45 / Lb.
• Dirty Brass (with steel/die cast): $0.35 / Lb.

Stainless Steel:

• Stainless Steel (304 Clean): $0.23 - $0.43 / Lb.
• Stainless Steel (316 Clean): $0.67 - $0.80 / Lb.
• Dirty Stainless Steel / 400 Series: $0.10 - $0.12 / Lb.

Lead:

• Clean Lead: $0.43 - $0.54 / Lb.
• Lead Wheel Weights: $0.05 - $0.12 / Lb.
• Auto Batteries: $0.15 - $0.25 / Lb. (often exchanged, confirm yard's policy)

Steel/Iron (typically priced per hundred pounds or ton):

• Light Iron (Misc. Steel): $0.05 - $0.08 / Lb. (or $7.00/hundred pounds)
• Prepared Steel: $0.07 - $0.09 / Lb. (or $9.50/hundred pounds for under 5 feet)
• Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums): $0.08 - $0.11 / Lb. (or $11.00/hundred pounds for Rotors & Drums)
• Complete Cars: Around $0.075 / Lb. ($7.50/hundred pounds)

Other Notable Items:

• Electric Motors (basketball size): $0.18 - $0.32 / Lb.
• Sealed Units (from AC/Refrigerators): $0.18 - $0.20 / Lb.
• A/C Units (whole): $0.10 / Lb.
• Alternators: $0.57 / Lb.
• Catalytic Converters: Prices vary wildly by size and type (Foreign, Domestic, Small, Large, Pre-Cat). Can range from $8 - $450+ per unit. You absolutely must get quotes for these as they are high value.
   

Where to Check Prices & Sell in Philadelphia:

• Sgt. Scrap: They list prices online for both their Haddon and Pennsauken, NJ locations, which are very close to Philly. They also offer mobile pickup.
   
• D&D Scrap Metal: Also lists current market prices on their website.
   
• M. Dunn Recycling Center: Located in Northeast Philadelphia, they list various prices and offer pickups depending on load size.
• Nicholas Scrap Metal Inc.: Located in North Philadelphia, they offer immediate and competitive market pricing.
   
• EMR Philadelphia (Port Richmond & Delco): Large scrap metal junkyards that buy various metals and vehicles.They often have specific drop-off procedures.
   
• Pasco Inc.: Located in Philadelphia, offering cash on the spot for various metals.
   
• Sullivan's Scrap Metal: Locations in Philadelphia and Hatboro, PA. They offer drop-off and roll-off container services.
   
• S.D. Richman Sons: Located in NE Philadelphia, with over 120 years of experience.
   

Remember The Scrap Master's advice:

• CALL AHEAD! Prices change.
• SORT, SORT, SORT! Never bring mixed loads.
• CLEAN YOUR SCRAP! Remove non-metal contaminants for better rates.
• Know your grades! Especially for copper and aluminum.