Today’s Aluminum Scrap Prices in Benton Harbor
Get the most accurate data on Aluminum scrap prices in Benton Harbor. Our tracker monitors local yard payouts and global market trends to help you time your sell-off and maximize your profit per pound.
Local data is supplemented with national averages for the most accurate estimate. The market moves as one trend — use the national figure as your reference point.
Aluminum Scrap Price Trends
over the last 6 monthsIn the last 6 months in the Aluminum category: price is up for 6 grades, price is steady for 7 grades, and price is down for 10 grades.
U.S. National Price Benchmark — Aluminum in Benton Harbor, Michigan
Local scrap yards in Benton Harbor, Michigan sometimes post their prices with a short delay. To keep you informed of what your metal is worth right now, we use U.S. national averages as a reference. The secondary metals market responds to exchange moves in sync across the country — use this national benchmark when negotiating with local buyers. Aluminum prices across the U.S. →
Live Aluminum Scrap Price Rates in Benton Harbor
Here is the Aluminum data we have on file for Benton Harbor, Michigan. Local yards don't always update their online prices daily — if your grade isn't listed, use the National Benchmark above as leverage when negotiating with local buyers.
Top-Rated Yards Buying Aluminum in Benton Harbor
Live prices from local scrap yards in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Compare offers and find the buyer paying the most.
Benton Metal Recycling
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🚀 List your scrap yard ⟶Aluminum Load Value Estimator
Selling a mixed load? Pick the grades below — a weight field appears after you select at least one grade, then the calculator estimates your haul’s value from current average prices in Benton Harbor, Michigan.
Aluminum Recovery & Purity Standards
The exchange price represents pure, refined metal (99.9%+). Each scrap grade contains varying levels of impurities, which require different amounts of processing. The higher the percentage, the more valuable the grade and the closer its payout is to the spot price.
| Grade | Exchange (100%) | Yard Price (per lb) | Grade Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum BX | $0.99 LME | $2.05 | High Grade•207% Why above exchange? |
| Aluminum 6063 Extrusion (Clean) | $0.99 LME | $1.39 | Mid Grade•140% Why above exchange? |
| Aluminum Wire (EC / Clean) | $0.99 LME | $1.30 | Mid Grade•131% Why above exchange? |
| Aluminum 5052 (Plate) | $0.99 LME | $1.26 | Mid Grade•127% Why above exchange? |
| Lithographic Plates (Litho) | $0.99 LME | $1.03 | Mid Grade•103% Why above exchange? |
| Painted Aluminum Extrusion | $0.99 LME | $1.03 | Mid Grade•103% Why above exchange? |
| Clean Aluminum Auto Wheels (Alloy 356) | $0.99 LME | $0.89 | Mid Grade•90% |
| Aluminum Siding & Gutters | $0.99 LME | $0.82 | Mid Grade•83% |
| Dirty & Irony Aluminum Wheels | $0.99 LME | $0.81 | Mid Grade•82% |
| Aluminum Cans (UBC) | $0.99 LME | $0.80 | Mid Grade•81% |
| Aluminum 6061 Structural | $0.99 LME | $0.80 | Mid Grade•80% |
| Aluminum Clips & MLC | $0.99 LME | $0.79 | Mid Grade•79% |
| Dirty Aluminum Extrusion | $0.99 LME | $0.75 | Mid Grade•76% |
| Clean Truck & Semi Wheels (Alloy 6061) | $0.99 LME | $0.73 | Low Grade•73% |
| Chrome Plated Aluminum Wheels | $0.99 LME | $0.70 | Low Grade•71% |
| Aluminum Wire (Insulated / ACSR) | $0.99 LME | $0.65 | Low Grade•66% |
| Thermal Break Aluminum | $0.99 LME | $0.65 | Low Grade•66% |
| Clean Aluminum Sheet | $0.99 LME | $0.64 | Low Grade•64% |
| Cast Aluminum | $0.99 LME | $0.63 | Low Grade•63% |
| Painted & Old Sheet Aluminum | $0.99 LME | $0.55 | Low Grade•55% |
| Aluminum Turnings | $0.99 LME | $0.32 | Low Grade•32% |
| Irony & Breakage Aluminum | $0.99 LME | $0.25 | Low Grade•25% |
| Aluminum Foil & Light Gauge | $0.99 LME | $0.10 | Low Grade•10% |
📊 What Determines Grade Value:
- Alloy Composition: Series like 6061 and 6063 contain magnesium and silicon, making them more valuable for extrusion plants than mixed old sheet.
- Contamination Levels: Steel screws, rubber gaskets, or plastic coatings significantly drop the price to 'Irony' or 'Dirty' grades.
- Weight-to-Volume Ratio: Light gauge foil or turnings take up more space in a truck but weigh less, often leading to lower 'fluff' pricing.
- Surface Prep: Removing paint, grease, or thermal breaks can jump your material from a low-tier painted grade to a clean premium grade.
Maximizing Your Aluminum Scrap Payouts
Aluminum is one of the most versatile metals in the recycling world, but if you aren't sorting it properly, you are leaving money on the table at the scale. Our data shows that the gap between $0.10 and $2.30 is largely determined by how much work you put into prepping your load before hitting the yard. Local buyers in Benton Harbor are looking for clean, alloy-specific shipments that they can move quickly to secondary smelters.
Yard Pro Tip: Never mix Cast Aluminum with Sheet Aluminum. Cast (like engine blocks or grill lids) is brittle and has a higher silicon content. If you mix it into a load of Clean Aluminum Sheet, the yard will likely 'down-grade' your entire load to the lowest common denominator, costing you roughly $1.95 per ton in lost revenue.
The Scrapper's Guide to Aluminum Grading
Understanding the difference between 6000-series and 3000-series alloys is the key to becoming a pro. Yards typically pay a premium for Aluminum 6061 Structural and Aluminum 6063 Extrusion (Clean) because these are 'clean' alloys with predictable melting points. On the other hand, items like Aluminum Siding & Gutters or Painted & Old Sheet Aluminum are considered lower tier due to the paints and coatings that must be burned off during processing.
High-Value Automotive Aluminum
Wheels are a major profit center. Clean Truck & Semi Wheels (Alloy 6061) are highly sought after, often commanding prices in the $0.65 to $0.80/lb range. Be careful with Clad Aluminum Wheels (Plastic Face); that plastic chrome-look cover is heavy and counts as contamination. Most yards will pay significantly less unless you take the time to pop those covers off.
Market Insights
The Mechanics of Aluminum Pricing
Local scrap yards base their daily board prices on the LME aluminum futures, typically maintaining a 40.7% spread to cover processing and shipping. In in Benton Harbor, demand from local secondary smelters can cause spikes in specific grades like Aluminum Turnings or Lithographic Plates (Litho). Payouts are highly sensitive to fuel costs and the current global supply of bauxite, which dictates the cost of primary aluminum production.
Pro-Level Sorting for Maximum Payout
- The Magnet Test: This is step one. If it sticks, it is steel. If it doesn't, check for weight; lead is heavy and dull, while aluminum is light and bright.
- Clean Your Extrusions: Stripping the rubber and plastic off Aluminum 6063 Extrusion (Clean) can nearly double its value compared to Dirty Aluminum Extrusion.
- Separate Your Wheels: Don't mix Chrome Plated Aluminum Wheels with Clean Aluminum Auto Wheels (Alloy 356). Yards prefer them separated for easier smelting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Clean and Dirty Aluminum?
'Clean' means the metal is free of steel, plastic, rubber, and excessive paint. 'Dirty' or 'Irony' aluminum contains attachments like steel bolts or plastic handles, which reduces the price because the yard has to spend labor hours cleaning it or sell it to a shredder at a discount.
Are aluminum cans worth more than sheet aluminum?
Usually, no. Aluminum Cans (UBC) are a specific alloy and often contain moisture or residue. While they are easy to collect, items like Aluminum Wire (EC / Clean) or structural extrusions almost always command a higher price per pound due to their higher purity.
Why did the yard pay me the 'Breakage' price?
If your load contains a high percentage of non-aluminum attachments (like a transmission with the steel gears still inside), it is graded as Irony & Breakage Aluminum. This is the lowest tier because the recovery rate of actual aluminum is much lower than solid pieces.
Aluminum scrap prices in Benton Harbor, Michigan on the map
You're viewing Aluminum scrap prices in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Below are other cities in the state. You can also see Aluminum prices in other states.