Stainless Steel Turnings Scrap Prices in the US
Current national averages show Stainless Steel Turnings trading around $0.17 per pound, though clean, dry loads can fetch closer to $0.20 at scrap yards in the US. Stop losing money to oil weight deductions and start tracking daily buyer rates before you haul your machine shop chips.
Average Stainless Steel Turnings Price
- Low (up to $0.15): Floor price, typically for small loads.
- Mid ($0.17): A fair deal for standard quantities.
- High ($0.20+): Top-dollar rate. Offered for large commercial loads or by the most competitive buyers.
Pricing verified from 3 live board rates today.
Top-Paying Scrap Yards for Stainless Turnings US
Don't just dump your shop borings at the first scale you see. Our data tracks facilities across US competing for your loads, but you need to call ahead—buyers penalize heavily for excessive cutting oil and carbon steel contamination. Compare these local yard payouts against the national average of $0.17 before you load the truck.
Weiner Iron & Metal Corp
Einfalt Recycling & Salvage
Krill Recycling LLC
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🚀 List your scrap yard ⟶How Stainless Turnings Stack Up Against Solid Alloys
The #1 rule at scrap yards: if you mix grades, they’ll weigh everything at the lowest rate. See the price gap below — if you have higher-value metal, always sort and weigh each grade separately to avoid leaving money on the table.
Historical Price Trends for Stainless Steel Turnings
This chart shows where the market is headed. If the line is climbing, prices are rising — you might get a better deal in a few days. If it’s dropping, don’t wait: sell today before yards lower their buy prices further.
Stainless Steel Turnings: Scrap Yard Price vs. World Market (LME)
Avg scrap yard price
World market price (LME)
Stainless Steel Turnings: Spread vs. Exchange — Monthly History
| Period | World price (per lb) | Scrap yard price (per lb) | Spread vs. exchange |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2026 (current) | $7.841267 | $3.21 | -$4.64 (59.1%) |
| February 2026 | $7.846832 | $3.41 | -$4.44 (56.6%) |
| January 2026 | $8.09 | $4.85 | -$3.24 (40%) |
| December 2025 | $6.824471 | $3.12 | -$3.71 (54.4%) |
| November 2025 | $6.698093 | $4.02 | -$2.68 (40%) |
| October 2025 | $6.907923 | $4.02 | -$2.89 (41.8%) |
| September 2025 | $6.933847 | $3.24 | -$3.69 (53.3%) |
| August 2025 | $6.901329 | $4.14 | -$2.76 (40%) |
| July 2025 | $6.957161 | $4.17 | -$2.78 (40%) |
| June 2025 | $6.90039 | $4.14 | -$2.76 (40%) |
| May 2025 | $7.089084 | $4.25 | -$2.84 (40%) |
| April 2025 | $7.016723 | $4.21 | -$2.81 (40%) |
| March 2025 | $7.337168 | $4.40 | -$2.94 (40%) |
| February 2025 | $6.967771 | $4.18 | -$2.79 (40%) |
| January 2025 | $7.050497 | $4.23 | -$2.82 (40%) |
| December 2024 | $7.09689 | $4.26 | -$2.84 (40%) |
| November 2024 | $7.17788 | $4.31 | -$2.87 (40%) |
| October 2024 | $7.710884 | $4.63 | -$3.08 (40%) |
| September 2024 | $7.435537 | $4.46 | -$2.98 (40%) |
| August 2024 | $7.453077 | $4.47 | -$2.98 (40%) |
| July 2024 | $7.492252 | $4.50 | -$3.00 (40%) |
| June 2024 | $8.077503 | $4.85 | -$3.23 (40%) |
| May 2024 | $8.950684 | $5.37 | -$3.58 (40%) |
| April 2024 | $8.30665 | $4.98 | -$3.32 (40%) |
| March 2024 | $7.984839 | $4.79 | -$3.19 (40%) |
| February 2024 | $7.453924 | $4.47 | -$2.98 (40%) |
| January 2024 | $7.388119 | $4.43 | -$2.96 (40%) |
| December 2023 | $7.580055 | $4.55 | -$3.03 (40%) |
| November 2023 | $7.753813 | $4.65 | -$3.10 (40%) |
| October 2023 | $8.366145 | $5.02 | -$3.35 (40%) |
| September 2023 | $9.03705 | $5.42 | -$3.61 (40%) |
| August 2023 | $9.420097 | $5.65 | -$3.77 (40%) |
| July 2023 | $9.725887 | $5.84 | -$3.89 (40%) |
| June 2023 | $9.83506 | $5.90 | -$3.93 (40%) |
| May 2023 | $10.182919 | $6.11 | -$4.07 (40%) |
| April 2023 | $10.81192 | $6.49 | -$4.33 (40%) |
| March 2023 | $10.626477 | $6.38 | -$4.25 (40%) |
| February 2023 | $12.121661 | $6.16 | -$5.96 (49.2%) |
| January 2023 | $12.867948 | $6.71 | -$6.16 (47.9%) |
| December 2022 | $13.219468 | $7.93 | -$5.29 (40%) |
| November 2022 | $11.57742 | $6.95 | -$4.63 (40%) |
| October 2022 | $9.99011 | $5.99 | -$4.00 (40%) |
| September 2022 | $10.35239 | $4.54 | -$5.81 (56.2%) |
| August 2022 | $10.066768 | $4.54 | -$5.53 (54.9%) |
| July 2022 | $9.821994 | $5.89 | -$3.93 (40%) |
| June 2022 | $11.784327 | $7.07 | -$4.71 (40%) |
| May 2022 | $12.890613 | $7.73 | -$5.16 (40%) |
| April 2022 | $15.040157 | $9.03 | -$6.02 (40%) |
| March 2022 | $16.964532 | $10.18 | -$6.79 (40%) |
| February 2022 | $10.79895 | $6.48 | -$4.32 (40%) |
| January 2022 | $10.022952 | $4.46 | -$5.56 (55.5%) |
| December 2021 | $9.042761 | $5.42 | -$3.62 (40%) |
| November 2021 | $9.019177 | $5.41 | -$3.61 (40%) |
| October 2021 | $8.762029 | $5.26 | -$3.50 (40%) |
| September 2021 | $8.825403 | $5.30 | -$3.53 (40%) |
| August 2021 | $8.67921 | $5.21 | -$3.47 (40%) |
| July 2021 | $8.555339 | $3.83 | -$4.73 (55.3%) |
| June 2021 | $8.163057 | $4.90 | -$3.26 (40%) |
| May 2021 | $7.995468 | $4.80 | -$3.20 (40%) |
| April 2021 | $7.47665 | $4.49 | -$2.99 (40%) |
| March 2021 | $7.439232 | $4.46 | -$2.98 (40%) |
| February 2021 | $8.454471 | $5.07 | -$3.38 (40%) |
| January 2021 | $8.061352 | $3.59 | -$4.47 (55.5%) |
| December 2020 | $7.674674 | $3.93 | -$3.75 (48.8%) |
| November 2020 | $7.187513 | $3.89 | -$3.30 (45.9%) |
| October 2020 | $6.920142 | $4.15 | -$2.77 (40%) |
| September 2020 | $6.758627 | $4.06 | -$2.70 (40%) |
| August 2020 | $6.625797 | $3.98 | -$2.65 (40%) |
| July 2020 | $6.104119 | $3.66 | -$2.44 (40%) |
| June 2020 | $5.82826 | $3.50 | -$2.33 (40%) |
| May 2020 | $5.534106 | $3.32 | -$2.21 (40%) |
| April 2020 | $5.36014 | $3.22 | -$2.14 (40%) |
| March 2020 | $5.406384 | $3.24 | -$2.16 (40%) |
| February 2020 | $5.774821 | $3.46 | -$2.31 (40%) |
| January 2020 | $6.173287 | $3.70 | -$2.47 (40%) |
| December 2019 | $6.329984 | $3.80 | -$2.53 (40%) |
| November 2019 | $6.922517 | $4.15 | -$2.77 (40%) |
| October 2019 | $7.720345 | $4.63 | -$3.09 (40%) |
| September 2019 | $7.974567 | $4.78 | -$3.19 (40%) |
| August 2019 | $7.140342 | $4.28 | -$2.86 (40%) |
| July 2019 | $6.1845 | $3.71 | -$2.47 (40%) |
| June 2019 | $5.454873 | $3.27 | -$2.18 (40%) |
| May 2019 | $5.471665 | $3.28 | -$2.19 (40%) |
| April 2019 | $5.818767 | $3.49 | -$2.33 (40%) |
| March 2019 | $5.939965 | $3.57 | -$2.37 (40%) |
| February 2019 | $5.769471 | $3.46 | -$2.31 (40%) |
| January 2019 | $5.232358 | $2.37 | -$2.86 (54.7%) |
| December 2018 | $4.957397 | $2.97 | -$1.98 (40%) |
| November 2018 | $5.156403 | $2.99 | -$2.16 (42%) |
| October 2018 | $5.613542 | $2.68 | -$2.94 (52.3%) |
| September 2018 | $5.731987 | $3.44 | -$2.29 (40%) |
| August 2018 | $6.102935 | $3.66 | -$2.44 (40%) |
| July 2018 | $6.294803 | $3.78 | -$2.52 (40%) |
| June 2018 | $6.89635 | $4.14 | -$2.76 (40%) |
| May 2018 | $6.534216 | $3.92 | -$2.61 (40%) |
| April 2018 | $6.314603 | $3.79 | -$2.53 (40%) |
| March 2018 | $6.112642 | $3.67 | -$2.45 (40%) |
| February 2018 | $6.164425 | $3.70 | -$2.46 (40%) |
| January 2018 | $5.843613 | $3.51 | -$2.34 (40%) |
| December 2017 | $5.276348 | $3.17 | -$2.11 (40%) |
| November 2017 | $5.45602 | $3.27 | -$2.18 (40%) |
| October 2017 | $5.159342 | $3.10 | -$2.06 (40%) |
| September 2017 | $5.12015 | $3.07 | -$2.05 (40%) |
| August 2017 | $4.977139 | $2.99 | -$1.99 (40%) |
| July 2017 | $4.335861 | $2.60 | -$1.73 (40%) |
| June 2017 | $4.075997 | $2.45 | -$1.63 (40%) |
| May 2017 | $4.181016 | $2.51 | -$1.67 (40%) |
| April 2017 | $4.395227 | $2.64 | -$1.76 (40%) |
| March 2017 | $4.649729 | $2.79 | -$1.86 (40%) |
| February 2017 | $4.847871 | $2.91 | -$1.94 (40%) |
| January 2017 | $4.535881 | $2.72 | -$1.81 (40%) |
| December 2016 | $4.977861 | $2.27 | -$2.70 (54.3%) |
| November 2016 | $5.04659 | $1.45 | -$3.59 (71.2%) |
| October 2016 | $4.679419 | $2.81 | -$1.87 (40%) |
| September 2016 | $4.642093 | $2.26 | -$2.38 (51.4%) |
| August 2016 | $4.698558 | $2.65 | -$2.05 (43.5%) |
| July 2016 | $4.677684 | $2.81 | -$1.87 (40%) |
| June 2016 | $4.07745 | $2.45 | -$1.63 (40%) |
| May 2016 | $3.98321 | $1.83 | -$2.15 (54%) |
| April 2016 | $4.185318 | $2.29 | -$1.90 (45.3%) |
Stainless Steel Turnings Scrap Price History — Daily Data
A day-by-day market snapshot in exact numbers. Every day we aggregate buy prices from local scrap yards, recording the average, low, and high. Use this table to track real price movement over recent days.
| Date | Avg price (per lb) | Change | Range (Low/High) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2/17/2026 | $0.15 / lb | -$0.05 | $0.15 - $0.15 |
| 12/12/2025 | $0.20 / lb | — no change | $0.20 - $0.20 |
| 10/1/2025 | $0.20 / lb | +$0.10 | $0.20 - $0.20 |
| 2/4/2023 | $0.10 / lb | -$0.05 | $0.10 - $0.10 |
| 9/27/2022 | $0.15 / lb | -$0.05 | $0.15 - $0.15 |
| 8/9/2022 | $0.20 / lb | -$0.05 | $0.20 - $0.20 |
| 1/22/2022 | $0.25 / lb | +$0.10 | $0.25 - $0.25 |
| 7/27/2021 | $0.15 / lb | +$0.05 | $0.15 - $0.15 |
| 1/28/2021 | $0.10 / lb | -$0.10 | $0.10 - $0.10 |
| 12/5/2020 | $0.20 / lb | +$0.08 | $0.20 - $0.20 |
| 1/15/2019 | $0.12 / lb | -$0.03 | $0.12 - $0.12 |
| 11/1/2018 | $0.15 / lb | — no change | $0.15 - $0.15 |
| 12/25/2016 | $0.15 / lb | +$0.05 | $0.15 - $0.15 |
| 11/26/2016 | $0.10 / lb | +$0.02 | $0.10 - $0.10 |
| 11/11/2016 | $0.08 / lb | -$0.02 | $0.08 - $0.08 |
| 9/6/2016 | $0.10 / lb | -$0.08 | $0.10 - $0.10 |
| 5/23/2016 | $0.18 / lb | +$0.08 | $0.18 - $0.18 |
Maximizing Your Payout on Stainless Steel Turnings
Machine shop chips, swarf, borings—whatever you call them, Stainless Steel Turnings are a staple for industrial scrappers. Because they are a byproduct of machining processes, yards treat them differently than solid plate or pipe. Currently, buyers across the country are paying anywhere from $0.15 for oily, messy loads up to $0.20 for clean, dry borings. If you are hauling gaylord boxes from machine shops in the US, knowing how the scale grades this material is the difference between a decent payday and a heavy downgrade.
The Impact of Cutting Fluids and Contamination
Turnings almost always come off the lathe coated in coolant or cutting oil. When you bring wet turnings to the yard, the buyer isn't going to pay stainless prices for oil weight. They will estimate the moisture content and deduct it from your gross weight. Even worse, if the same CNC machine was running carbon steel before the stainless, your load is contaminated.
Yard Pro Tip: Drill a few small drainage holes in the bottom of your storage barrels or use mesh-lined gaylord boxes to let cutting fluid drain out before hauling. Yards routinely dock 10% to 20% of the gross weight for heavy oil. Also, always drag a strong magnet through your bins; carbon steel shavings easily get mixed in at the shop and will downgrade your entire load of stainless chips to a dirty price.
The Shop Floor Sorting Guide
Preparation starts at the source. Do not mix your turnings with your solid drop. If you toss solid chunks of 316 Stainless Steel into a bin of turnings, you are throwing away serious money. Our data shows that mixing solid high-grade stainless with turnings results in a loss of about $0.60 per pound. Keep them separated.
- Keep it Dry: Let gravity do the work and drain all coolants before hitting the scale.
- Keep it Clean: Sweep the shop floors between metal runs so carbon steel and aluminum don't end up in your stainless bins.
- Bale it if Possible: Some large-scale buyers offer premiums for briquetted or baled turnings because they are easier to transport and experience less melt loss at the foundry.
How Turnings Compare to Solid Grades
Turnings inherently have a lower value due to high melt-loss—meaning more of the metal burns away during recycling compared to solids. Here is how current market ranges stack up against common solid grades:
| Material Grade | Current National Range |
| Stainless Steel Turnings | $0.15 - $0.20 / lb |
| 18/8 Stainless Steel | $0.40 to $0.40/lb |
| 300 Series Stainless Steel | $0.30 to $0.74/lb |
| 304 Stainless Steel | $0.30 to $0.50/lb |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the going rate for Stainless Steel Turnings?
Our tracking shows a national average of $0.17 per pound. Keep in mind, prices typically float about 97.8% below spot on the LME, and local buyers will adjust based on the cleanliness and oil content of your load.
Why do turnings pay so much less than prepared solid stainless?
It comes down to foundry chemistry and surface area. Fine shavings and chips oxidize and burn up much faster in a melting furnace than thick solid pieces. Buyers factor in this lost yield when setting their board prices.
Will yards accept turnings mixed with regular steel?
They will accept them, but you will take a massive hit on the price. A load of stainless turnings heavily contaminated with magnetic steel shavings will often be bought as standard sheet iron or 'shred,' wiping out the premium value of the stainless alloy entirely.
Stainless Steel Turnings scrap prices — find in your state on the map
The map shows states where we have Stainless Steel Turnings scrap prices. Click a state on the map or use the links below to see current Stainless Steel Turnings prices in that region.