Today’s Aluminum Scrap Prices in Michigan
Get the most accurate data on Aluminum scrap prices in Michigan. Our tracker monitors local yard payouts and global market trends to help you time your sell-off and maximize your profit per pound.
Aluminum Scrap Price Trends
over the last 30 daysIn the last month in the Aluminum category: price is steady for 13 grades.
Live Aluminum Scrap Price Rates in Michigan
Aluminum values fluctuate based on purity and alloy content. Currently, Aluminum scrap ranges from $0.15 to $0.85 across all grades. High-demand materials like Aluminum 6063 Extrusion (Clean) typically fetch $0.58 to $0.75/lb, while consumer goods like Aluminum Cans (UBC) trade at $0.60 to $1.00/lb. Check the specialized rates for Clean Aluminum Auto Wheels (Alloy 356) and Cast Aluminum below.
Top-Rated Yards Buying Aluminum in Michigan
Live prices from local scrap yards in Michigan. Compare offers and find the buyer paying the most.
Benton Metal Recycling
Resource Recovery Solutions
M 82 Recycling
Reid Metals Inc
Al's Scrap Metals
RJ Industrial Recycling
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🚀 List your scrap yard ⟶Price Chart & History
See how local yard buy prices track the exchange (LME). Use this chart to judge whether it's a good time to cash in now or wait for yards to catch up with the latest exchange move.
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 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean Aluminum Auto Wheels (Alloy 356) | $1.00 LME | $0.78 | High Grade•77% |
| Aluminum 5052 (Plate) | $1.00 LME | $0.75 | High Grade•75% |
| Aluminum 6061 Structural | $1.00 LME | $0.70 | High Grade•70% |
| Aluminum 6063 Extrusion (Clean) | $1.00 LME | $0.67 | High Grade•66% |
| Aluminum Siding & Gutters | $1.00 LME | $0.61 | High Grade•61% |
| Chrome Plated Aluminum Wheels | $1.00 LME | $0.51 | Mid Grade•51% |
| Clean Aluminum Sheet | $1.00 LME | $0.50 | Mid Grade•50% |
| Cast Aluminum | $1.00 LME | $0.40 | Mid Grade•40% |
| Dirty Aluminum Extrusion | $1.00 LME | $0.40 | Mid Grade•40% |
| Painted & Old Sheet Aluminum | $1.00 LME | $0.40 | Mid Grade•40% |
| Aluminum Clips & MLC | $1.00 LME | $0.20 | Low Grade•20% |
| Aluminum Wire (Insulated / ACSR) | $1.00 LME | $0.20 | Low Grade•20% |
| Irony & Breakage Aluminum | $1.00 LME | $0.15 | Low Grade•15% |
📊 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 $0.15 and $0.85 is largely determined by how much work you put into prepping your load before hitting the yard. Local buyers in Michigan 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 $0.63 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 54.5% spread to cover processing and shipping. In in Michigan, 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 Michigan on the map
The map shows cities in Michigan with Aluminum scrap prices. Click a marker or pick a city in the list below to see Aluminum prices in that location.