Price trends for aluminum scrap by grade

over the last 90 days

In the last 3 months in the Aluminum category: price is up for 2 grades, price is steady for 20 grades, and price is down for 3 grades.

How Have Prices Moved Over the Last 52 Weeks?
Over the past year, the category average ranged from $0.49 to $0.65.
Jun '25Sep '25Dec '25Mar '26Today
How Yard Prices Track the Exchange (LME)
Average discount to the exchange for this category: ~57.8% (-$0.93/ lb). Based on 25 grades with exchange data. Normal range for this category: 15%–93%.
✓ All 25 grades are within normal market range

U.S. National Price Benchmark — Aluminum in South Carolina

Local scrap yards in South Carolina 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. →

Aluminum scrap prices by grade in South Carolina

Here is the Aluminum data we have on file for South Carolina. 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.

Aluminum BX U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$2.30/ lbRange: $1.80 – $2.80/ lb
Trend for 30 days: -11.0%
View Details
Aluminum 5052 (Plate) U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$1.36/ lbRange: $1.32 – $1.40/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Aluminum Wire (EC / Clean) U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$1.15/ lbRange: $0.75 – $1.55/ lb
Trend for 90 days: -9.0%
View Details
Painted Aluminum Extrusion U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$1.07/ lbRange: $1.04 – $1.10/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Lithographic Plates (Litho) U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$1.03/ lbRange: $0.85 – $1.20/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
+12.6% / 90 days
Chrome Plated Aluminum Wheels U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.85/ lbRange: $0.70 – $1.00/ lb
Trend for 90 days: +12.6%
View Details
+2.3% / 90 days
Dirty & Irony Aluminum Wheels U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.85/ lbRange: $0.75 – $0.95/ lb
Trend for 90 days: +2.3%
View Details
Avg. Price:$0.75/ lbRange: $0.70 – $0.80/ lb
Trend for 90 days: -5.9%
View Details
Avg. Price:$0.75/ lbRange: $0.72 – $0.77/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Aluminum 3003 U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.70/ lbRange: $0.70 – $0.70/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Thermal Break Aluminum U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.69/ lbRange: $0.58 – $0.80/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Avg. Price:$0.66/ lbRange: $0.59 – $0.73/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Avg. Price:$0.65/ lbRange: $0.55 – $0.75/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Aluminum Wire (Insulated / ACSR) U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.50/ lbRange: $0.50 – $0.50/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Aluminum Cans (UBC) Based on 4 yards
Avg. Price:$0.46/ lbRange: $0.42 – $0.49/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Aluminum Siding & Gutters Based on 4 yards
Avg. Price:$0.41/ lbRange: $0.36 – $0.46/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Aluminum Clips & MLC Based on 5 yards
Avg. Price:$0.41/ lbRange: $0.40 – $0.41/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Clean Aluminum Sheet Based on 5 yards
Avg. Price:$0.36/ lbRange: $0.30 – $0.41/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Avg. Price:$0.35/ lbRange: $0.35 – $0.35/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Cast Aluminum Based on 5 yards
Avg. Price:$0.33/ lbRange: $0.26 – $0.39/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Dirty Aluminum Extrusion Based on 1 yard
Avg. Price:$0.32/ lbRange: $0.32 – $0.32/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Aluminum Turnings U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.32/ lbRange: $0.20 – $0.43/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Aluminum 6061 Structural Based on 2 yards
Avg. Price:$0.30/ lbRange: $0.30 – $0.30/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Irony & Breakage Aluminum Based on 3 yards
Avg. Price:$0.25/ lbRange: $0.15 – $0.34/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Aluminum Foil & Light Gauge U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.13/ lbRange: $0.10 – $0.15/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details

Scrap yards paying the most for aluminum scrap in South Carolina

Live prices from local scrap yards in South Carolina. Compare offers and find the buyer paying the most.

💼 Scrap yard owners: Post your buy prices and get more customers
By price
By date
Updated 5/4/2026

CMC Recycling

Lexington, South Carolina9 grades on price list
Aluminum Cans
$0.38/ lb|🠅 $0.05 (15%)
Aluminum Extrusion (100% Clean)
$0.73/ lb|🠅 $0.33 (83%)
Aluminum Extrusion (5% FE)
$0.32/ lb|🠇 $0.02 (6%)
Sheet Aluminum
$0.41/ lb|🠇 $0.02 (5%)
Aluminum Clips (MLC)
$0.41/ lb|🠇 $0.23 (36%)
Old Sheet Aluminum (5% FE)
$0.35/ lb|🠅 $0.01 (3%)
PTD Aluminum Siding
$0.46/ lb|🠅 $0.05 (12%)
Cast Aluminum
$0.39/ lb|🠇 $0.02 (5%)
Clean Aluminum Wheels
$0.61/ lb|🠅 $0.04 (7%)
Updated 3/4/2026

CMC Recycling

Florence, South Carolina2 grades on price list
Aluminum Cans
$0.49/ lb|🠅 $0.17 (53%)
Clean Aluminum Wheels
$0.77/ lb|🠅 $0.16 (26%)
Updated 2/17/2026

CMC Recycling

Wellford, South Carolina9 grades on price list
Aluminum Cans
$0.42/ lb|🠇 $0.16 (28%)
6063 Aluminum
$0.59/ lb|🠅 $0.04 (7%)
6061 Alum (no plate/sheet)
$0.30/ lb|🠇 $0.20 (40%)
Sheet Aluminum
$0.30/ lb|🠇 $0.12 (29%)
Aluminum Clips (MLC)
$0.40/ lb|🠇 $0.05 (11%)
PTD Aluminum Siding
$0.36/ lb|🠇 $0.07 (16%)
Cast Aluminum
$0.26/ lb|🠇 $0.05 (16%)
Irony Aluminum (include attachments)
$0.15/ lb|🠇 $0.27 (64%)
Clean Aluminum Wheels
$0.72/ lb|🠅 $0.07 (11%)
Updated 2/17/2026

CMC Recycling

Anderson, South Carolina9 grades on price list
Aluminum Cans
$0.42/ lb|🠇 $0.10 (19%)
6063 Aluminum
$0.59/ lb|🠅 $0.15 (34%)
6061 Alum (no plate/sheet)
$0.30/ lb|🠇 $0.02 (6%)
Sheet Aluminum
$0.30/ lb|🠇 $0.02 (6%)
Aluminum Clips (MLC)
$0.40/ lb|🠇 $0.10 (20%)
PTD Aluminum Siding
$0.36/ lb|🠇 $0.16 (31%)
Cast Aluminum
$0.26/ lb|🠇 $0.05 (16%)
Irony Aluminum (include attachments)
$0.15/ lb|🠇 $0.02 (12%)
Clean Aluminum Wheels
$0.72/ lb|🠅 $0.05 (7%)
Updated 2/17/2026

CMC Recycling

Columbia, South Carolina9 grades on price list
Aluminum Cans
$0.35/ lb|🠇 $0.02 (5%)
6063 Aluminum
$0.55/ lb|🠅 $0.05 (10%)
6061 Alum (no plate/sheet)
$0.59/ lb|🠅 $0.07 (13%)
Sheet Aluminum
$0.41/ lb|🠇 $0.15 (27%)
Aluminum Clips (MLC)
$0.41/ lb|🠇 $0.10 (20%)
PTD Aluminum Siding
$0.38/ lb|🠇 $0.02 (5%)
Cast Aluminum
$0.39/ lb|🠇 $0.12 (24%)
Irony Aluminum (include attachments)
$0.34/ lb|🠇 $0.20 (37%)
Clean Aluminum Wheels
$0.44/ lb|🠇 $0.26 (37%)
Updated 2/17/2026

CMC Recycling

Spartanburg, South Carolina6 grades on price list
Aluminum Cans
$0.42/ lb|🠇 $0.10 (19%)
6063 Aluminum
$0.59/ lb|🠅 $0.15 (34%)
Sheet Aluminum
$0.30/ lb|🠇 $0.02 (6%)
Aluminum Clips (MLC)
$0.40/ lb|🠇 $0.10 (20%)
Cast Aluminum
$0.26/ lb|🠇 $0.05 (16%)
Clean Aluminum Wheels
$0.72/ lb|🠅 $0.05 (7%)

Don't see your scrap yard in South Carolina? List it for free.

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Price chart: aluminum scrap grades and LME Aluminum exchange data

The chart shows average yard buyout rates and LME Aluminum exchange data for your selected aluminum scrap grade. When the exchange moves up and local yard prices lag, they typically follow within a few trading days — a signal to hold if you can. When both lines drop, sell now before yards update their offers downward. Switch grades using the selector above the chart.

Calculate the value of your aluminum scrap lot

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 South Carolina.

Select a metal above to estimate value

Compare aluminum scrap grades and their value

LME Aluminum (99.7% primary) sets the ceiling; each scrap grade trades at a discount based on alloy content, contamination level, and processing cost. Identifying your material correctly before selling is the single most effective step to maximize your payout.

GradeExchange (100%)Yard Price (per lb)Grade Quality
Aluminum BX $1.60/ lb LME$2.30/ lb
High Grade143%
Why above exchange?
Aluminum 5052 (Plate) $1.60/ lb LME$1.36/ lb
Mid Grade85%
Aluminum Wire (EC / Clean) $1.60/ lb LME$1.15/ lb
Mid Grade72%
Painted Aluminum Extrusion $1.60/ lb LME$1.07/ lb
Mid Grade67%
Lithographic Plates (Litho) $1.60/ lb LME$1.03/ lb
Mid Grade64%
Chrome Plated Aluminum Wheels $1.60/ lb LME$0.85/ lb
Mid Grade53%
Dirty & Irony Aluminum Wheels $1.60/ lb LME$0.85/ lb
Mid Grade53%
Clean Truck & Semi Wheels (Alloy 6061) $1.60/ lb LME$0.75/ lb
Low Grade47%
Clean Aluminum Auto Wheels (Alloy 356) $1.60/ lb LME$0.75/ lb
Low Grade46%
Aluminum 3003 $1.60/ lb LME$0.70/ lb
Low Grade44%
Thermal Break Aluminum $1.60/ lb LME$0.69/ lb
Low Grade43%
Aluminum 6063 Extrusion (Clean) $1.60/ lb LME$0.66/ lb
Low Grade41%
Clad Aluminum Wheels (Plastic Face) $1.60/ lb LME$0.65/ lb
Low Grade41%
Aluminum Wire (Insulated / ACSR) $1.60/ lb LME$0.50/ lb
Low Grade31%
Aluminum Cans (UBC) $1.60/ lb LME$0.46/ lb
Low Grade28%
Aluminum Siding & Gutters $1.60/ lb LME$0.41/ lb
Low Grade26%
Aluminum Clips & MLC $1.60/ lb LME$0.41/ lb
Low Grade25%
Clean Aluminum Sheet $1.60/ lb LME$0.36/ lb
Low Grade22%
Painted & Old Sheet Aluminum $1.60/ lb LME$0.35/ lb
Low Grade22%
Cast Aluminum $1.60/ lb LME$0.33/ lb
Low Grade20%
Dirty Aluminum Extrusion $1.60/ lb LME$0.32/ lb
Low Grade20%
Aluminum Turnings $1.60/ lb LME$0.32/ lb
Low Grade20%
Aluminum 6061 Structural $1.60/ lb LME$0.30/ lb
Low Grade19%
Irony & Breakage Aluminum $1.60/ lb LME$0.25/ lb
Low Grade15%
Aluminum Foil & Light Gauge $1.60/ lb LME$0.13/ lb
Low Grade8%

📊 What determines the value of aluminum scrap:

  • Alloy grade: 6063 extrusion and 6061 structural fetch the highest price. Cast aluminum (pistons, wheels) contains silicon and copper, which lower value. Mixed/irony aluminum gets the minimum.
  • Contamination: Steel fasteners, rubber seals, and paint affect the per-pound rate. Clean, stripped aluminum always gets the best price.
  • UBC cans: Used beverage cans (aluminum) are a separate line — baled or loose; prices fluctuate with LME and recycling mill demand.
  • Turnings & clips: Shredded or chip aluminum trades at a steep discount vs. solid/block because of the extra furnace processing required.
💡 Tip: Separate clean extrusion (windows, frames) from cast and dirty aluminum before your trip — the price gap between grades is significant.