In 2026, cast iron typically sells for $0.06 to $0.11 per pound as scrap metal, while new or resale products like weight plates range from $1.00 to over $3.00 per pound.
Scrap iron prices per pound vary significantly based on material grade and market conditions. Currently, light iron (often called “shred”) trades at approximately $0.03 to $0.04 per pound, while heavy cast iron ranges from $0.06 to $0.08 per pound.
Cast iron can be worth a decent amount when scrapped with a reputable metal dealer. Whilst there's no set scrap value for this metal, scrap yards tend to use the following points to calculate prices which are accurate and up to date: Weight of your cast iron. Condition and signs of corrosion.
The Math Behind the Money
To earn $100, you need to collect 200 pounds of aluminum ($100 divided by $0.50). Since it takes about 32 cans to make one pound, you multiply 200 pounds by 32. This means you need approximately 6,400 standard 12-ounce cans to make $100.
Copper is the leading choice in scrap metal values today. In early 2026, current prices for premium grades have surged well past $4 per pound, making it highly lucrative for waste management operations.
Some examples you may have around the house include:
#2 Copper. This grade of copper can be identified by its somewhat dirty appearance. It should be comprised of miscellaneous unalloyed wire, pipe or solid metal that continues to have solder, paint or any kind of coating on it. Additionally, its minimum copper content should be 94-96%.
As a general rule, don't crush cans before tossing them in the bin because crushing can make it harder for recycling facilities to sort. If your local recycling facility uses a multi- or dual-stream collection (meaning you separate your recyclables by material), it's probably okay to crush your cans.
The modern 12 fluid ounce aluminum can, it takes 31.8 cans to equal one pound.
12 simple ways to make $100 fast
The value of antique cast iron skillets can start at similar to new prices, but a super rare Wagner or Griswold can fetch up to $1,500 apiece. A mint condition, super rare "spider skillet" made in the 1890s by Griswold is worth up to $8,000.
Homeowners with scrap metal can bring their cast iron to a scrap yard and get paid for their material at the current cast iron scrap price.
Scrap Metals We Purchase
Ferrous Scrap Metal – Common ferrous metals we purchase include cast iron, wrought iron, carbon steel and stainless steel. More tensile than their non-ferrous cousins, they are also known for being easy to work into shape, and for both their thermo-conductivity and electro-conductivity.
According to Procurement Resource, Grey Cast Iron prices are expected to remain stable, with market direction depending on steel production levels, construction recovery, and trade policy developments across major regions.
Most operations aim for scrap rates below 5%; top-performing plants in precision industries often achieve below 2%. The biggest sources of scrap are equipment deviations, human error, inconsistent material quality, and inadequate preventive maintenance.
If you're unemployed and could use an extra few bucks here and there it could be worth it. It's 5 cents per can, that's 20 cans to a dollar, 200 cans for 10 bucks. The amount of effort isn't really worth the pay, but it's up to you. When I was in college we did this because the parties ended up with tons of cans.
6 Best Items To Recycle For Money: Trash For Cash
FAQs. Q1: How many aluminum cans do I need to make $10? At $0.50 per pound, you'd need about 700 cans (20 pounds). Q2: Do all recycling centers pay for aluminum cans?
Moisture is the enemy of metal. If you store your cans in the fridge for a while, that condensation can slowly rust or corrode the aluminum or tin. This is bad because tiny entry points for bacteria can form, leading to potential food spoilage.
Several common household and commercial items are not recyclable through standard collection programs, despite appearing to be made of recyclable materials. The most frequent offenders include greasy pizza boxes, disposable coffee cups, plastic-coated paper, bubble wrap, and small electronics.
Aluminum cans: flattened 1yd3 weighs 340 lbs., uncompacted 1 full grocery bag weighs 1.5 lbs., uncompacted 1 case of 24 cans weighs 0.75 lbs., 32 cans weigh 1 lb. weigh 14 lbs., manually broken bottles in a 55-gallon drum weigh 300 lbs.
The acid in the vinegar will clean copper, some have flour or other ingredients to make a paste to keep the acid on the copper. Ketchup and Lemon juice are also acids and will clean copper and brass.
What Items Contain Most Copper and Where Can You Find Them?
A: Coca-Cola or other soft drinks containing phosphoric acid can be used to clean copper jewelry. The acid in the drink acts as a tarnish remover and can restore the shine of copper jewelry.