Scrap metal prices in Birmingham, AL
Scrap prices move with the market every day, so we quote them live. Call 205-224-4044 for today's price on your material. Here's what decides the number.
Why we quote prices by phone
Scrap metal is a commodity. What we can pay for copper, aluminum, brass and steel follows global metals markets and demand from the mills and processors that buy from us. Those prices can shift from one day to the next, and a number posted online goes stale fast. A quick call gets you the price that's real today.
What affects what you get paid
- The metal. Copper pays the most of any common scrap. Steel pays the least per pound but adds up by the truckload.
- The grade. Within each metal, clean material grades higher. Bare bright copper beats #1, which beats #2.
- Preparation. Brass fittings on copper pipe, steel bolts in aluminum and dirt or insulation all lower the grade.
- Sorting. A mixed pile usually gets paid at the value of its lowest material. Sorted loads get full value for each metal.
- The market. When copper or aluminum markets move, scrap prices move with them.
Relative value of the metals we buy
Exact prices change daily, but the order rarely does. Use this as a guide for what to separate first.
Highest per pound
- Bare Bright Copper
- #1 Copper Tubing & Flashing
- #2 Copper Tubing
- #3 Roofing & #2/3 Mix Copper
Mid range
- Yellow Brass & Brass Scrap
- THHN & Insulated Copper Wire
- Aluminum Cans, Rims & Scrap
- ACR & ACR Ends
- 304 Stainless Steel
Lower per pound, paid by volume
- Electric Motors & Alternators
- Lead Batteries
- PC Towers & Computer Wire
- #1 Heavy Melting Steel & #1 Prepared
- Rotors & Tin
Tell us what you have and roughly how much. We'll give you today's price and tell you if sorting or cleaning it would pay more. 205-224-4044.
Scrap price questions
Why doesn't Rather Recycling post scrap prices online?
Scrap metal prices follow the commodity markets and can change daily. A posted price goes stale fast, so we quote current prices by phone. Call 205-224-4044 and tell us what you have.
How often do scrap metal prices change?
Often. Scrap prices track global markets for copper, aluminum, steel and other metals, along with local demand from mills and processors. Copper and aluminum can move week to week or even day to day.
What scrap metal is worth the most?
Copper is usually the most valuable common scrap metal, and bare bright copper is the top copper grade. Brass, clean aluminum, high-recovery insulated wire and stainless steel generally come next. Steel and iron pay the least per pound but add up by volume.
How can I get more money for my scrap metal?
Sort it, clean it and know your grades. Separate copper, brass, aluminum and steel, cut brass fittings off copper pipe, remove steel attachments from aluminum, and keep wire sorted by type. Mixed loads usually get paid at the lowest grade in the pile.
What do I need to bring to sell scrap metal?
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Alabama law requires scrap metal buyers to record the seller's identification on each transaction, so we can't buy material without it.
Scrap prices move daily.
Call before you load up and we'll give you today's number for your material. Tell us what it is and roughly how much you have.
323 Finley Blvd
Pull in, get weighed, get paid. Bring a valid photo ID with every load.
- Address
- 323 Finley Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35204
- Phone
- 205-224-4044
- Weekdays
- 7:30am - 4:30pm
- Saturday
- 7:30am - 2:00pm
- Sunday
- Closed