If you’ve got old copper wiring from a renovation, a rusted-out appliance in the garage, or a vehicle that’s been collecting leaves for three years before you pay someone to haul it away, you should know what that metal is actually worth in 2026. Because the answer might surprise you.
This guide gives you the current scrap metal pricing, explains why prices are where they are, and tells you exactly how to walk into a yard and get the best possible rate.
Current Scrap Metal Prices (Updated 2026)
Prices below reflect current Ontario scrap yard market rates as of July 2026, denominated in Canadian dollars. Scrap Yard pay prices vary based on grade, contamination, moisture, and daily market shifts always call ahead to confirm the day’s board rate.
| Metal | Average Price (per lb) | Typical Range (per lb) |
|---|---|---|
| Copper (Bare Bright) | $7.80 | $6.00 – $7.80 |
| Copper (#1) | $7.20 | $6.80 – $7.20 |
| Brass (Yellow) | $4.30 | $2.50 – $4.30 |
| Aluminum (clean/wire) | $1.24 – $2.59 | $0.08 – $2.69 |
| Stainless Steel | $0.55 | $0.48 – $0.70 |
| Lead | $0.41 – $0.54 | $0.15 – $0.54 |
| Zinc (die cast) | $0.33 – $0.39 | $0.27 – $0.39 |
| Steel (heavy/shred) | $0.08 – $0.20 | $0.06 – $0.20 |
| Tin | $0.12 | $0.12 |
Current Scrap Copper Prices per lb
| Copper Type | Price (per lb) |
|---|---|
| Bare Bright Copper | $7.80 |
| #1 Copper Scrap | $7.20 |
| #2 Copper Scrap | $6.83 |
| #3 Copper Scrap | $6.00 |
| #1 Strippable Wire | $5.60 |
| Insulated Copper Wire (70% recovery) | $4.55 |
| #1 Insulated Copper Wire | $3.11 |
| Household Copper Wire | $3.12 |
| Cu/Al Radiators | $3.34 |
| Copper Radiators | $3.19 |
| Harness Wire | $2.55 |
| #2 Insulated Copper Wire | $2.37 |
| Extension Cords | $1.55 |
| Copper Transformers | $0.85 |
| Electric Motors | $0.45 |
| Starters | $0.55 |
| Low Grade ICW | $0.40 |
| Christmas Lights | $0.67 |
Current Scrap Aluminum Prices per lb
Aluminum pricing spans a wide range because it covers everything from soda cans to clean extrusions and wheels.
| Aluminum Type | Price (per lb) |
|---|---|
| 1S Wire Scrap | $2.59 |
| Aluminum BX (MC) Cable | $2.69 |
| Painted Extrusion | $2.15 |
| Aluminum Extrusion | $1.79 |
| Aluminum Wire (no coating) | $1.70 |
| Aluminum Truck Wheels | $1.55 |
| Aluminum Car Rims | $1.77 |
| Aluminum Wheels (clean) | $1.37 |
| Painted Siding | $1.37 |
| Aluminum Truck Wheels (dirty) | $1.20 |
| Aluminum Cast Scrap | $1.12 |
| Old Sheet (clean) | $1.10 |
| Mixed Aluminum Scrap | $0.90 |
| Painted Aluminum | $0.93 |
| Low Copper Aluminum | $0.85 |
| Mixed Aluminum Turnings | $0.80 |
| Aluminum Scrap (general) | $0.80 |
| Aluminum Rims (dirty) | $0.75 |
| Pop Cans | $0.75 |
| Aluminum Siding | $0.81 |
| Aluminum Radiators | $0.95 |
| Aluminum Litho | $0.60 |
| Aluminum Cans | $0.15 |
| Aluminum Turnings | $0.25 |
| Aluminum Transmissions | $0.35 |
| Irony Aluminum | $0.08 |
Current Scrap Brass Prices per lb
| Brass Type | Current Price Range (CAD/lb) |
|---|---|
| Yellow Brass | $3.75 – $4.65 |
| Red Brass | $4.70 – $5.20 |
| Hard Brass | $5.20 |
| Clean Brass Scrap | $3.75 |
| Brass Radiators | $3.00 – $4.20 |
| Brass Faucets / Taps | $0.70 – $4.40 |
| Brass Turnings | $2.50 – $3.20 |
Current Stainless Steel & Lead Prices per lb
| Scrap Metal Type | Current Price (CAD/lb) |
|---|---|
| 304 Stainless Steel | $0.45 – $0.66 |
| 316 Stainless Steel | $1.20 – $1.32 |
| Mixed Stainless Steel | $0.20 – $0.50 |
| Dirty Stainless Steel | $0.10 – $0.20 |
| Lead Scrap | $0.48 – $0.80 |
| Lead-Acid Batteries | $0.28 – $0.40 |
| Lead Wheel Weights | $0.10 – $0.15 |
Current Steel Scrap Prices per lb
| Steel Scrap Type | Current Price (CAD/lb) |
|---|---|
| Heavy Melting Steel (HMS 1 & 2) | $0.12 – $0.18 |
| Shredded Steel | $0.14 – $0.20 |
| Light Iron / Sheet Metal | $0.09 – $0.14 |
| Cast Iron / Auto Cast | $0.15 – $0.27 |
| Structural Steel | $0.12 – $0.18 |
| Tin / Shred | $0.13 – $0.17 |
| White Goods / Appliances | $0.10 – $0.15 |
Lead, Zinc & Tin Scrap Prices
| Metal Type | Price (per lb) |
|---|---|
| Lead Scrap (clean) | $0.54 |
| Car Batteries | $0.48 |
| Steel Case Batteries | $0.46 |
| Lead Batteries | $0.40 |
| Lead Wheel Weights | $0.15 |
| Zinc Die Cast | $0.39 |
| Zinc Die Cast w/ Iron | $0.27 |
| Tin (Shred/Tin) | $0.12 |
Regional Price Differences
Scrap prices are not uniform across Canada. Ontario (especially the Greater Toronto Area) tends to have the most competitive rates due to yard density and demand, while remote or northern regions often pay less due to transportation and processing costs. Provinces actively tracked by major pricing services include:
- Ontario
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- Quebec
- Nova Scotia
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
If you’re near a provincial or city border, it’s worth calling yards in more than one area — even a $0.10/lb difference on copper adds up fast on a large load.
What Drives Scrap Metal Prices Up or Down?
- Global commodity markets – Canadian scrap prices track international benchmarks like the London Metal Exchange (LME) and COMEX, and are heavily influenced by demand from major manufacturing economies like China, the U.S., and India.
- Local supply and demand – A glut of scrap in a region (e.g., after a big demolition project) can temporarily push local prices down even if global prices are stable.
- Currency exchange (CAD/USD) – Since many benchmark metal prices are set in U.S. dollars, a weaker Canadian dollar can push local scrap prices higher, and vice versa.
- Industrial and construction activity – More building and manufacturing activity increases demand for recycled metal as a cheaper input than virgin ore.
- Metal purity and grade – Clean, sorted, and uncontaminated metal always pays more than mixed or contaminated loads, since yards pass processing costs on to sellers.
- Seasonality – Some yards see price dips in winter months when transportation and processing slow down..
Ferrous vs. Non-Ferrous: The First Rule of Scrapping
If you’ve never sold scrap before, this is the single most important concept to understand before driving to the yard.
The easiest test in scrapping: hold a magnet to your metal. If it sticks, it’s ferrous (iron-based) and pays less. If it doesn’t stick, you’re likely holding something far more valuable.
Ferrous metals – steel, cast iron, and wrought iron are magnetic and abundant. They’re essential to the market but priced by the ton, not the pound. Old appliances, car frames, rebar, and pipe fittings are typically ferrous. Don’t throw these away; just know they’re the lower end of your haul’s value.
Non-ferrous metals – copper, aluminum, brass, stainless steel, lead, and zinc are the real earners. They don’t rust the same way, they’re harder to produce from raw ore, and they’re in higher global demand. Copper is the undisputed top earner, followed by brass and clean aluminum.
Always separate your ferrous and non-ferrous loads before arriving at the yard. Mixing them results in the buyer pricing your entire load at the lower ferrous rate you lose significant money for just a few minutes of sorting.
Scrapping a Vehicle
A full vehicle is one of the most valuable loads you can turn in, but the process works differently from bringing loose metal to a yard.
Vehicle weight is the primary driver of the base scrap price. Heavier vehicles SUVs, trucks, full-size sedans are worth more simply because there’s more metal. A full-size pickup can weigh close to 2,500 kg, which at current steel rates represents serious money.
The catalytic converter is often the most valuable single component on an end-of-life vehicle. Catalytic converters contain platinum, palladium, and rhodium precious metals worth hundreds of dollars on their own. Confirm whether the quote you receive includes or excludes the catalytic converter, as some services price it separately.
Working parts batteries, alternators, starters, radiators add value if the buyer can resell them. Be upfront about what’s missing or damaged so there are no surprises at pickup.
The most convenient option is a scrap car removal service that comes to your location, tows the vehicle at no charge, and pays you cash or e-transfer on the spot. Ontario law requires signed vehicle ownership documents you cannot legally scrap a car without them.
Conclusion
Turning scrap into cash is all about knowing the market and being prepared. By sorting your metals and watching the daily rates, you can turn a pile of junk into a serious payday. Mississauga is a massive hub for recycling, so there is plenty of competition ready to pay for your haul.
If you have an old vehicle taking up space, do not let it rust away for nothing. Connecting with a reliable Scrap Car removal Mississauga is the fastest way to get a fair price and free towing.
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