Aluminum pricing can change daily based on commodity markets, manufacturing demand, regional competition, transportation costs, material quality, and other conditions. Even two loads containing the same general type of aluminum may receive different quotes depending on contamination, volume, alloy, and preparation.
This page is intended to provide an educational snapshot of the aluminum scrap market. It should not be treated as a formal quote or a promise of what any recycler will pay.
Businesses seeking pricing for a specific project can contact EACR Inc. with information about the material type, quantity, condition, location, and pickup needs.
Contact EACR Inc. for metal recycling services and current project pricing based on your actual materials and recycling requirements.
Current Aluminum Scrap Prices:
| Aluminum Type | Estimated Market Price* |
| Clean Aluminum Wire | $1.20/lb |
| 6063 Bare Aluminum | $1.15/lb |
| AL Litho Plates | $1.10/lb |
| 6063 Painted Aluminum | $1.05/lb |
| Clean Aluminum Rims | $0.90/lb |
| Dirty Aluminum Rims | $0.85/lb |
| Chrome Rims | $0.85/lb |
| AL Machine Cuts | $0.75/lb |
| Aluminum Siding / Gutters | $0.73/lb |
| AL Thermo-Pane, No Glass | $0.70/lb |
| Aluminum Grills | $0.70/lb |
| Sheet Aluminum | $0.65/lb |
| Cast Aluminum | $0.58/lb |
| AL Turnings | $0.20/lb |
| Dirty Aluminum | $0.05/lb |
| Aluminum Transformers | $0.05/lb |
Estimated market reference prices only. These are not EACR Inc. buying prices and should not be interpreted as an offer, guarantee, or agreement to purchase material at any listed rate.
Why Aluminum Prices Change
Aluminum does not have one fixed scrap price. The value of a load can change based on the market, the aluminum grade, its condition, and the amount being recycled.
Market Supply and Demand
Commodity markets help establish the broader value of aluminum, but local conditions also matter.
Prices may move based on:
- Global aluminum markets
- Manufacturing demand
- Available scrap supply
- Regional buyers
- Local processing capacity
- Transportation and energy costs
When manufacturers need more recycled aluminum, demand may increase. When supply is high or industrial demand slows, prices may fall.
Aluminum Grade
Different aluminum products contain different alloys and require different levels of processing.
Common categories include:
- Bare aluminum
- Painted aluminum
- Cast aluminum
- Sheet aluminum
- Aluminum wire
- Aluminum extrusions
Clean, identifiable, higher-grade aluminum generally commands stronger market values than mixed or heavily contaminated material.
For example, bare aluminum extrusion may be valued differently from painted extrusion because the painted material requires additional processing. Aluminum wire may also receive a different classification depending on whether it is clean, insulated, or mixed with other materials.
Material Quality
The condition of the aluminum can substantially affect its final value.
Common forms of contamination include:
- Attached steel
- Plastic components
- Rubber
- Glass
- Dirt
- Oil
- Insulation
- Mixed metals
Clean aluminum generally requires less sorting and processing, which can improve its market value.
Dirty aluminum may still be recyclable, but attached materials can reduce the recovery rate and increase labor, equipment, and processing costs. In some cases, contamination can cause an entire load to be placed into a lower-value category.
Quantity
The quantity of aluminum being recycled can also affect pricing.
Commercial loads may receive different pricing considerations than small household quantities because recyclers evaluate:
- Total weight
- Material consistency
- Pickup requirements
- Transportation distance
- Container needs
- Frequency of service
- Labor required to load or sort the material
A large, clean, consistently sorted load may be evaluated differently from a small mixed load, even when both contain similar aluminum products.
What Affects the Final Value of Aluminum?
The final value of an aluminum recycling project may depend on:
- Aluminum alloy: Certain alloys have stronger demand or more predictable recovery characteristics.
- Purity: Clean aluminum generally has a higher recoverable metal content.
- Contamination: Steel, plastic, rubber, dirt, oil, and other materials can reduce value.
- Current commodity markets: Aluminum markets can change from day to day.
- Local demand: Regional buyers and processors may have different material needs.
- Quantity: Larger, consistent loads may be handled differently from small quantities.
- Preparation: Proper sorting and removal of attachments may improve the material grade.
- Transportation costs: Distance, fuel, loading requirements, and container service can affect a project.
- Regional market conditions: Pricing can vary between cities, states, and recycling facilities.
Because every load is different, an online market table should only be used as a general reference. A reliable quote requires the recycler to evaluate the actual material, quantity, condition, and service requirements.
Why Market Prices Don’t Match Every Quote
Online aluminum prices are useful as a general reference, but they do not tell you exactly what a recycler will offer for a specific load.
Every recycling company has different operating costs. Labor, equipment, storage, insurance, sorting, and downstream processing can all affect pricing.
Transportation also varies. A local drop-off may be priced differently from a commercial pickup that requires containers, loading equipment, multiple stops, or a long travel distance.
Processing costs depend on the material itself. Clean, sorted aluminum is generally easier to handle than material mixed with steel, plastic, rubber, oil, glass, or other contaminants.
Material quality also changes from one load to another. Two items may both be described as sheet aluminum, but differences in alloy, coatings, attachments, and contamination can place them in different pricing categories.
The market can also move daily. Commodity values, regional demand, supply levels, energy costs, and buyer activity may change between the date a price is published and the date a project is quoted.
For those reasons, prices shown online should be treated as educational market estimates only.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aluminum Scrap Prices
Are these EACR Inc.’s aluminum prices?
No.
The prices shown in this article are general market reference prices based on publicly available industry information. They are not EACR Inc. buying prices, guaranteed rates, or offers to purchase material.
Actual pricing may be higher or lower depending on your location, material, quantity, contamination, transportation needs, and current market conditions.
Why do aluminum prices change?
Aluminum prices are influenced by several factors, including:
- Commodity markets
- Regional demand
- Aluminum alloy
- Material condition
- Contamination
- Quantity
- Processing costs
- Transportation requirements
Because these factors change, aluminum scrap values can move from day to day.
Does clean aluminum sell for more?
Generally, yes.
Clean aluminum usually requires less sorting, separation, and processing. Material with attached steel, rubber, plastic, glass, dirt, oil, or other contaminants may be placed into a lower-value category.
The final grade still depends on the specific alloy and the recycler’s inspection.
Why is aluminum wire worth more?
Clean aluminum wire may have a high concentration of recoverable aluminum and require relatively little processing.
Its value can depend on whether the wire is:
- Bare or insulated
- Clean or contaminated
- Mixed with other metals
- Consistent in grade
- Prepared for processing
Not all aluminum wire receives the same classification or price.
Can dirty aluminum still be recycled?
Often, yes.
Aluminum with paint, attachments, dirt, plastic, rubber, oil, or mixed materials may still be recyclable. However, contamination can affect the grade, processing requirements, and final value.
Heavily contaminated material may require additional sorting or preparation before it can be processed.
Conclusion
Aluminum scrap prices change constantly. The values shown in this article should only be used as a general snapshot of the market.
Actual project pricing depends on the material itself, including its alloy, purity, condition, quantity, contamination, location, and transportation requirements. Current commodity markets and regional demand also affect the final quote.
Rather than relying on a published average, businesses should request pricing based on the actual material they need recycled.
Contact EACR Inc. for metal recycling services, commercial pickups, project-based recycling, and a customized quote based on your materials and current market conditions.
