Price trends for aluminum scrap by grade

over the last 6 months

In the last 6 months in the Aluminum category: price is up for 4 grades, price is steady for 16 grades, and price is down for 5 grades.

How Have Prices Moved Over the Last 52 Weeks?
Over the past year, the category average ranged from $0.50 to $0.76.
Aug '25Nov '25Feb '26May '26Today
How Yard Prices Track the Exchange (LME)
Average discount to the exchange for this category: ~50.0% (-$0.73/ lb). Based on 25 grades with exchange data. Normal range for this category: 11%–92%.
✓ All 25 grades are within normal market range

U.S. National Price Benchmark — Aluminum in Virginia

Local scrap yards in Virginia 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 Virginia

Here is the Aluminum data we have on file for Virginia. 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: -13.8%
View Details
+3.7% / 6 mo.
Aluminum 5052 (Plate) U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$1.29/ lbRange: $1.25 – $1.32/ lb
Trend for 6 mo.: +3.7%
View Details
Avg. Price:$1.18/ lbRange: $1.00 – $1.35/ lb
Trend for 90 days: -1.1%
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
Aluminum 6061 Structural U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.80/ lbRange: $0.70 – $0.90/ lb
Trend for 90 days: -14.6%
View Details
Aluminum Wire (EC / Clean) Based on 3 yards
Avg. Price:$0.80/ lbRange: $0.80 – $0.80/ lb
Trend for 6 mo.: 0.0%
View Details
Dirty Aluminum Extrusion U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.80/ lbRange: $0.60 – $1.00/ lb
Trend for 6 mo.: +1.9%
View Details
Avg. Price:$0.75/ lbRange: $0.75 – $0.75/ 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
Aluminum Cans (UBC) Based on 7 yards
Avg. Price:$0.65/ lbRange: $0.50 – $0.80/ lb
Trend for 6 mo.: +1.4%
View Details
Avg. Price:$0.65/ lbRange: $0.55 – $0.75/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Avg. Price:$0.65/ lbRange: $0.60 – $0.70/ lb
Trend for 6 mo.: -5.0%
View Details
Aluminum Siding & Gutters Based on 4 yards
Avg. Price:$0.60/ lbRange: $0.50 – $0.70/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
+13.3% / 30 days
Avg. Price:$0.60/ lbRange: $0.50 – $0.70/ lb
Trend for 30 days: +13.3%
View Details
+10.0% / 6 mo.
Avg. Price:$0.58/ lbRange: $0.45 – $0.70/ lb
Trend for 6 mo.: +10.0%
View Details
+15.0% / 6 mo.
Clean Aluminum Sheet Based on 4 yards
Avg. Price:$0.58/ lbRange: $0.50 – $0.65/ lb
Trend for 6 mo.: +15.0%
View Details
Avg. Price:$0.55/ lbRange: $0.55 – $0.55/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Cast Aluminum Based on 4 yards
Avg. Price:$0.53/ lbRange: $0.50 – $0.55/ lb
Trend for 6 mo.: -6.8%
View Details
Avg. Price:$0.50/ lbRange: $0.50 – $0.50/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Aluminum Clips & MLC Based on 2 yards
Avg. Price:$0.45/ lbRange: $0.40 – $0.50/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Irony & Breakage Aluminum Based on 3 yards
Avg. Price:$0.20/ lbRange: $0.20 – $0.20/ lb
Trend for 6 mo.: -33.3%
View Details
Aluminum Turnings Based on 2 yards
Avg. Price:$0.18/ lbRange: $0.10 – $0.25/ 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 Virginia

Live prices from local scrap yards in Virginia. 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 7/28/2026

Charleston Area Metal Recycling

Charleston, West Virginia10 grades on price list
Aluminum Cans
$0.50/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (25%)
Aluminum Sheet (Clean)
$0.45/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (29%)
Aluminum Clip (Painted or Bare)
$0.50/ lb|🠅 $0.02 (4%)
Aluminum Siding
$0.50/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (25%)
EC Wire (Bare)
$0.80/ lb|🠇 $0.20 (20%)
Insulated EC Wire
$0.50/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (25%)
Aluminum Cast (Clean)
$0.35/ lb|🠇 $0.05 (13%)
Dirty Aluminum
$0.10/ lb
Aluminum Rims (clean Auto Al rims)
$0.90/ lb|🠇 $0.10 (10%)
Aluminum Rims (clean Truck Al rims)
$0.55/ lb|🠇 $0.45 (45%)
Updated 7/27/2026

Elkins Metal Recycling

Elkins, West Virginia11 grades on price list
Aluminum Cans
$0.50/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (25%)
Aluminum Sheet
$0.50/ lb|🠅 $0.05 (11%)
Aluminum Clip
$0.40/ lb|🠇 $0.05 (11%)
Aluminum Siding
$0.50/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (25%)
EC Wire (Bare)
$0.80/ lb|🠇 $0.20 (20%)
Insulated EC Wire
$0.50/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (25%)
Aluminum Cast
$0.50/ lb|🠅 $0.15 (43%)
Aluminum Turnings
$0.10/ lb
Dirty Aluminum
$0.10/ lb|🠇 $0.05 (33%)
Aluminum Wheels (clean)
$1.00/ lb|🠅 $0.20 (25%)
Aluminum Truck Rims (clean)
$0.60/ lb|🠇 $0.10 (14%)
Updated 7/27/2026

Three Rivers Iron Metal

Fairmont, West Virginia9 grades on price list
Aluminum Cans
$0.50/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (25%)
Aluminum Clip
$0.50/ lb|🠅 $0.05 (11%)
Aluminum Cast & Sheet
$0.50/ lb|🠅 $0.15 (43%)
Aluminum Siding
$0.50/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (25%)
EC Wire (Bare)
$0.80/ lb|🠇 $0.20 (20%)
Insulated EC Wire
$0.50/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (25%)
Dirty Aluminum/Aluminum Sheet >90%
$0.20/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (100%)
Aluminum Rims
$1.00/ lb|🠅 $0.30 (43%)
Aluminum Truck Rims
$0.60/ lb|🠇 $0.10 (14%)
Updated 7/15/2026

Atlas Metal Recycling

Ceredo, West Virginia5 grades on price list
Aluminum Cans
$0.80/ lb|🠅 $0.05 (7%)
Aluminum
$0.60/ lb|🠅 $0.05 (9%)
Cast Al
$0.50/ lb|🠅 $0.05 (11%)
Aluminum Rims
$1.35/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (8%)
Chrome Rims
$0.50/ lb|🠅 $0.05 (11%)
Updated 7/1/2026

Ashley Metal Recycling LLC

Mineral Wells, West Virginia6 grades on price list
Aluminum Cans
$0.50/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (25%)
Aluminum Sheet - Clean
$0.35/ lb|🠇 $0.05 (13%)
Aluminum Clip (bare)
$0.45/ lb|🠇 $0.05 (10%)
Aluminum Siding Painted
$0.50/ lb|🠅 $0.05 (11%)
Aluminum Cast
$0.45/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (29%)
Aluminum Rims (clean)
$1.00/ lb|🠅 $0.25 (33%)
Updated 5/22/2026

C & C Cullet LLC

Ashland, Virginia8 grades on price list
Cans NO FOIL
$0.50/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (25%)
Clean Aluminum
$0.65/ lb|🠅 $0.15 (30%)
Dry Aluminum Turnings
$0.25/ lb|🠅 $0.05 (25%)
Irony Aluminum
$0.20/ lb|🠇 $0.10 (33%)
Clean Aluminum Rims
$0.80/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (14%)
Semi-Truck Rim
$0.70/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (17%)
Chrome Rims
$0.70/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (17%)
Dirty Aluminum Rims
$0.75/ lb|🠅 $0.15 (25%)

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

Hundreds of sellers in your area search for current scrap prices every day. Post your buy prices and start getting calls.

🚀 List your scrap yard ⟶

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 Virginia.

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 $1.46/ lb LME$2.30/ lb
High Grade158%
Why above exchange?
Aluminum 5052 (Plate) $1.46/ lb LME$1.29/ lb
Mid Grade88%
Clean Aluminum Auto Wheels (Alloy 356) $1.46/ lb LME$1.18/ lb
Mid Grade81%
Painted Aluminum Extrusion $1.46/ lb LME$1.07/ lb
Mid Grade73%
Lithographic Plates (Litho) $1.46/ lb LME$1.03/ lb
Mid Grade70%
Aluminum 6061 Structural $1.46/ lb LME$0.80/ lb
Low Grade55%
Aluminum Wire (EC / Clean) $1.46/ lb LME$0.80/ lb
Low Grade55%
Dirty Aluminum Extrusion $1.46/ lb LME$0.80/ lb
Low Grade55%
Dirty & Irony Aluminum Wheels $1.46/ lb LME$0.75/ lb
Low Grade51%
Aluminum 3003 $1.46/ lb LME$0.70/ lb
Low Grade48%
Thermal Break Aluminum $1.46/ lb LME$0.69/ lb
Low Grade47%
Aluminum Cans (UBC) $1.46/ lb LME$0.65/ lb
Low Grade45%
Clad Aluminum Wheels (Plastic Face) $1.46/ lb LME$0.65/ lb
Low Grade45%
Clean Truck & Semi Wheels (Alloy 6061) $1.46/ lb LME$0.65/ lb
Low Grade45%
Aluminum Siding & Gutters $1.46/ lb LME$0.60/ lb
Low Grade41%
Painted & Old Sheet Aluminum $1.46/ lb LME$0.60/ lb
Low Grade41%
Chrome Plated Aluminum Wheels $1.46/ lb LME$0.58/ lb
Low Grade39%
Clean Aluminum Sheet $1.46/ lb LME$0.58/ lb
Low Grade39%
Aluminum 6063 Extrusion (Clean) $1.46/ lb LME$0.55/ lb
Low Grade38%
Cast Aluminum $1.46/ lb LME$0.53/ lb
Low Grade36%
Aluminum Wire (Insulated / ACSR) $1.46/ lb LME$0.50/ lb
Low Grade34%
Aluminum Clips & MLC $1.46/ lb LME$0.45/ lb
Low Grade31%
Irony & Breakage Aluminum $1.46/ lb LME$0.20/ lb
Low Grade14%
Aluminum Turnings $1.46/ lb LME$0.18/ lb
Low Grade12%
Aluminum Foil & Light Gauge $1.46/ lb LME$0.13/ lb
Low Grade9%

📊 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.