Cast iron is highly valuable, but its worth depends almost entirely on its condition and history.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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 pieces—especially those made by sought-after makers—routinely sell to collectors for anywhere from $𝟓𝟎 to over $𝟏,𝟎𝟎𝟎.
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.
To make $100 from scrap aluminum, you need anywhere from 55 to 200 pounds, depending on your local scrap yard’s payout rate.
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.
As of May 2026, cast iron scrap typically fetches between $0.05 and $0.10 per pound (roughly $100–$200 per ton) at local scrap yards, depending on whether it is "clean" or "prepared" (e.g., brake rotors). It is a dense, heavy metal, making it worthwhile to collect in bulk for decent cash, though it has a lower value per pound compared to non-ferrous metals.
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.
"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.
Nothing more reliable than a spark test. Cast iron will throw a small reddish spark that doesn't travel very far. Cast steel will throw a bright yellow spark that will shoot a lot farther.
6 Best Items To Recycle For Money: Trash For Cash
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.
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 pieces—especially those made by sought-after makers—routinely sell to collectors for anywhere from $𝟓𝟎 to over $𝟏,𝟎𝟎𝟎.
Yes, a magnet will stick to cast iron. Because cast iron is approximately 93-96% iron, it is a highly ferromagnetic material.
Copper consistently delivers the highest returns among commonly available scrap metals. Current market prices range significantly based on purity, with bare bright copper wire commanding premium rates.
Wapak cast iron might be lesser known compared to the Griswold and Wagner brands, but it is just as collectible. The most sought after Wapak cast iron are the pans with the “Indian head" medallion on them, which was produced from 1903-1926. The rarest and most collectible is the #4 skillet--until recently.
If your pan was made before 1957, it's considered vintage cast iron. We've created a guide for you to learn how to tell how old a cast iron skillet is, differentiate brands and pan types, and figure out how much each piece is worth.
Sometimes you get lucky while strolling through a thrift store and find a treasured vintage cast iron pan. If you notice either an Erie or Griswold logo on the base of the pan, consider it your lucky day.