Scrap Metal Prices in Canada
Compare indicative scrap metal prices in Canada, including copper, aluminum, brass, steel and other recyclable metals. Use the national price table as a reference, then explore city and provincial pages to find information relevant to your area. Actual scrap yard offers depend on the material, its grade, quantity and location.
Scrap Metal Prices in Canada per Pound
The table below displays the site's latest available Canadian metal price figures. Prices are shown per pound; check the table's update date. These figures are indicative and should not be treated as guaranteed purchase offers from local scrap yards. Confirm the currency and the dealer's quote before selling.
| Metal | Price Per Pound |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | $2.01 |
| Aluminum Alloy | $1.91 |
| Copper | $8.96 |
| Brass | $6.73 |
| Lead | $1.18 |
| Nickel | $10.34 |
| Tin | $29.61 |
| Zinc | $2.40 |
| Steel Scrap | $0.26 |
| Steel Rebar | $0.39 |
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How to read these prices: A market reference price is not necessarily what a recycler will pay for mixed or unprocessed scrap. Clean, separated material can receive a different offer from insulated wire, contaminated metal or mixed loads.
Scrap Metal Prices by Canadian City
Explore the local pages below for more geographically relevant price information. Prices can vary between yards even within the same city, so compare actual quotes before making a trip.
Scrap Metal Prices by Province
Browse our available provincial pages. These are links to regional price information, not a ranking of which provinces pay the most.
Scrap Gold Prices in Canada
Gold values depend on purity, weight and market conditions. Jewellery marked 10K, 14K or 18K contains different proportions of gold; a buyer's offer can also reflect testing and refining costs.
| Metal | Price per Gram | Price per Troy Ounce |
|---|---|---|
| 9ct Gold | $67.48 | $2,098.72 |
| 14ct Gold | $105.26 | $3,273.97 |
| 18ct Gold | $134.95 | $4,197.39 |
| 22ct Gold | $164.82 | $5,126.39 |
| 24ct Gold | $179.91 | $5,595.97 |
Silver, Platinum and Palladium Prices
Precious metal prices are commonly quoted per gram or troy ounce. Check whether a displayed figure is a reference value or an actual purchase quote. Collectible jewellery may be worth more than its metal content alone.
| Metal | Price per Gram | Price per Troy Ounce |
|---|---|---|
| Palladium | $33.93 | $1,055.44 |
| Platinum | $51.51 | $1,602.23 |
| Silver | $1.80 | $55.85 |
Which Scrap Metals Are Worth the Most?
Copper: Clean copper pipe and stripped copper wire can be more valuable than insulated wire or mixed copper-bearing items. Different copper grades receive different prices.
Brass: Often found in plumbing fittings, valves and hardware. Keeping brass separate from steel and other metals can make a load easier to assess.
Aluminum: Common in window frames, wheels, siding and beverage containers. Cast aluminum, extrusions and mixed aluminum may be priced differently.
Steel and iron: Usually worth less per pound than many non-ferrous metals, but heavy loads can still be worthwhile. Ask whether the yard accepts appliances, structural steel or other specific items.
How to Get a Better Scrap Metal Price
- Identify the material. A magnet can help distinguish many ferrous metals from non-ferrous metals, although it cannot identify every alloy.
- Separate different metals and grades. Ask the recycler how they classify copper wire, brass, aluminum and mixed loads.
- Compare quotes. Contact more than one local scrap yard and specify the type, approximate weight and condition of the material.
- Check practical costs. Consider transport, minimum quantities, weighing procedures and any deductions.
- Ask about acceptance requirements. Some items, including batteries, electronics, refrigerant-containing appliances and potentially hazardous materials, require special handling.
Why Scrap Metal Prices Vary Across Canada
A scrap yard's offer depends on more than the underlying metal market. Local demand, freight distances, processing costs, the amount and condition of material, and competition between buyers can all affect the price. The same type of metal may therefore receive different offers in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary or Halifax.
For meaningful comparisons, use the same weight unit and currency, and compare like-for-like grades. Canada commonly uses metric units, but this page's base-metal table quotes prices per pound. One kilogram is approximately 2.205 pounds.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scrap Metal Prices in Canada
Are the prices on this page what a scrap yard will pay me?
Not necessarily. They are indicative figures. A dealer's actual offer depends on grade, contamination, quantity and local buying conditions.
Are Canadian scrap metal prices quoted per pound or per kilogram?
Both units may be used. The base-metal table on this page is labelled per pound. Confirm the unit with the buyer before comparing offers.
Does clean copper sell for more than insulated copper wire?
Often, yes, because insulation and other materials require additional processing. The exact difference depends on the grade and buyer.
Why do prices differ between cities and provinces?
Transport, local competition, processing capacity and the types of scrap accepted can all affect offers. Check the linked city and province pages and contact local recyclers.
Should I remove parts from old appliances before selling them?
Ask the recycler first. Appliances and electronics may contain hazardous components, and dismantling them yourself may be unsafe or unnecessary.
Scrap Metal Prices in Other Countries
Comparing prices across countries requires care: currencies, units, grades and local regulations differ. Explore the country pages below for their respective price information.