Scrap cast iron is currently worth between $ π.ππ and $ π.ππ per pound, or roughly $ πππ to $ πππ per gross ton.
Scrap iron prices per pound vary significantly based on material grade and market conditions. Currently, light iron (often called βshredβ) trades at approximately $0.03 to $0.04 per pound, while heavy cast iron ranges from $0.06 to $0.08 per pound.
Scrap metal recycling offers a great way to earn money for things like old microwaves, washers, dryers, stoves, and cast iron bathtubs while contributing to sustainability by reducing waste.
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.
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.
Yes, old cast iron can be highly valuable, particularly as collectible cookware. While raw scrap iron is only worth about $0.06 to $0.08 per pound, well-maintained antique and vintage piecesβespecially those made by sought-after makersβroutinely sell to collectors for anywhere from $ππ to over $π,πππ.
To make $100 from scrap aluminum, you need anywhere from 55 to 200 pounds, depending on your local scrap yardβs payout rate.
Precious metals (like gold, silver, and platinum) are the highest-paying scrap materials. Among widely handled industrial base metals, copper is the most lucrative.
The spot price for raw copper is approximately $6.25 to $6.38 per pound.
Some examples you may have around the house include:
Scrap Metals We Purchase
Ferrous Scrap Metal β 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.
If you have enough cast iron to sell, you might look into getting a small booth at an antique mall or flea market. You can also put up a sign in your booth saying you do cast iron restoration services.
Yes, cast iron has scrap value, typically paying between $0.06 to $0.11 per pound (roughly $140 to $230 per ton), depending on your location and current market rates. While it isn't as valuable as copper or brass, its heavy weight makes it a profitable haul if you have a large volume.
Valuable cast iron is typically vintage cookware produced by renowned early 20th-century manufacturers. High-demand pieces from brands like Griswold, Wapak, and Wagner feature specific logos, rare sizing (like sizes 2 or 13), or unique artistic branding. Authentic rarities routinely resell for hundreds or thousands of dollars.
"Dirty copper" is a scrap metal term for unalloyed copper that contains minor contaminants or attachments (like solder, paint, brass fittings, or light oxidation). While still highly recyclable and mostly pure, it requires extra processing at the foundry, which lowers its value compared to clean copper.
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.
A 10-pound.999 pure copper bar typically retails between $200 and $315. While the base metal value of 10 pounds of copper fluctuates roughly around $55β$60, the premium exists due to manufacturing, minting, and shipping costs.
Stripping copper wire for scrap is almost always financially profitable, increasing your payout by 30% to 40%. However, whether it is "worth it" comes down to how much you value your time. It is highly worthwhile for thick, heavy-gauge wire, but a waste of effort for thin or low-grade cables.
Because copper is a dense, heavy metal (8.96 g/cm3), 1 pound of it is surprisingly smallβroughly the size of a standard block of butter or about 32 U.S. pennies. Its exact appearance depends on the form it takes:
The term "poor man's gold" refers to silver. This nickname originated because silver, like gold, has been used as a form of money and ornamentation throughout history.
The most expensive catalytic converter scrap usually ranges from $500 to over $1,000 depending on the serial number. The highest values belong to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) units with dense precious metal loadsβlike rhodium, platinum, and palladium.
Glass: up to 4,000 years
A frightening 4,000 years is how long it takes a glass bottle to decompose in the environment. Every time we leave a recipient of this kind in the countryside, we are putting the environment and its ecosystem at risk.
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.
6 Best Items To Recycle For Money: Trash For Cash