Steel & Iron (Ferrous) Scrap Prices in Rockaway Township
Get the unvarnished truth on Steel & Iron (Ferrous) scrap prices in Rockaway Township. Track local scale payouts against the CME, run your tonnage through our load calculator, and locate the highest-paying scrap yards before you dump your trailer.
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.
Steel & Iron (Ferrous) Scrap Price Trends
over the last 6 monthsIn the last 6 months in the Steel & Iron (Ferrous) category: price is up for 3 grades, price is steady for 3 grades, and price is down for 3 grades.
U.S. National Price Benchmark — Steel & Iron (Ferrous) in Rockaway Township, New Jersey
Local scrap yards in Rockaway Township, New Jersey 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. Steel & Iron (Ferrous) prices across the U.S. →
Current Steel & Iron (Ferrous) Payouts by Grade
Here is the Steel & Iron (Ferrous) data we have on file for Rockaway Township, New Jersey. 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 Yards Buying Ferrous Scrap in Rockaway Township
Live prices from local scrap yards in Rockaway Township, New Jersey. Compare offers and find the buyer paying the most.
Southard Scrap Metal
Don’t see your scrap yard in Rockaway Township, New Jersey? 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 ⟶Calculate Your Ferrous Scrap Load Value
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 Rockaway Township, New Jersey.
Grade Value: Density, Prep, and Mill Demand
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cast Iron (Heavy) | $0.18 CME | $0.15 | High Grade•81% |
| Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums) | $0.18 CME | $0.14 | High Grade•75% |
| Plate & Structural Steel (P&S) | $0.18 CME | $0.14 | High Grade•75% |
| #2 Prepared Steel | $0.18 CME | $0.12 | High Grade•64% |
| #1 Prepared Steel (HMS) | $0.18 CME | $0.11 | Mid Grade•61% |
| Light Iron & Shredder | $0.18 CME | $0.11 | Mid Grade•58% |
| Tin (Sheet Metal) | $0.18 CME | $0.10 | Mid Grade•53% |
| Unprepared Steel (Torch & Shear) | $0.18 CME | $0.08 | Low Grade•42% |
| Steel Turnings | $0.18 CME | $0.05 | Low Grade•28% |
📊 What Determines Ferrous Grade Value:
- Density & Thickness: Mills want heavy melting steel (HMS). Quarter-inch thick plate pays massively more than thin gauge tin.
- Preparation: If a yard has to torch your 10-foot I-beam down to a 3-foot section, they'll buy it as Unprepared and pay you less.
- Contamination: Dirt, concrete on rebar, or heavy rust scale will get your load downgraded to shred.
- Market Spread: Local demand and the 54.4 margin against the CME dictate what the scale actually pays.
Stop Losing Tonnage Value on Mixed Ferrous Loads
Let's get straight to it. Steel and iron might be the lowest-paying metals per pound, but in the scrap game, ferrous is all about volume. Payouts for Steel & Iron (Ferrous) in Rockaway Township are currently sitting between $0.04/lb for light tin and up to $0.20/lb for prime structural steel, averaging right around $0.11/lb. If you're hauling mixed loads of Rebar, old washing machines, and heavy I-beams all in the same trailer, the scale master is going to write you a ticket for the cheapest grade. Throwing premium prepared steel into a pile of Light Iron & Shredder is a rookie move that can cost you over $0.10 on a heavy load. Knowing how yards categorize iron is how you actually turn a profit at the scale.
The Iron Peddler's Sorting Guide
Mills dictate what yards buy, and mills care about density and chemistry. Here is how you need to separate your steel before driving through the gates:
- #1 Prepared Steel (HMS) & Plate & Structural Steel (P&S): This is your heavy hitter material. It needs to be thick (usually 1/4 inch or more) and cut to specific lengths (often 3 to 5 feet depending on the yard's shear). Expect buyers to offer around $0.07 to $0.15/lb for properly prepped heavy melt.
- Unprepared Steel (Torch & Shear): Got a massive excavator bucket or a 20-foot steel pipe? If the yard has to pay a guy to cut it down with a torch or run it through their shear, they will penalize you. Payouts drop to $0.06 to $0.09/lb.
- Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums): Clean brake rotors are pure density and melt beautifully. Keep them out of the shred pile. Buyers typically pay a solid $0.11 to $0.16/lb for clean rotors.
- Tin (Sheet Metal) & Wire Fence: The bottom of the barrel. Old roofing tin, water heaters, and fencing are mostly air and rust. Yards just want to feed this into the shredder, paying around $0.07 to $0.12/lb.
Yard Pro Tip: If you are hauling heavy structural steel or thick pipe, invest in a good oxy-acetylene torch setup. The price difference between Unprepared Steel and #1 Prepared Steel is massive. Spending 20 minutes cutting a long beam down to 3-foot sections can easily double your payout for that piece of metal. Don't pay the yard's labor costs out of your own pocket.
Understanding Mill Demand and Local Margins Rockaway Township, NJ
Ferrous pricing is notoriously volatile. Scrap buyers base their numbers on export demands and domestic mill purchasing, utilizing the CME to gauge the market. When steel mills are hungry, prices surge. When yards have to stockpile because of a market dip or logistics issues, you'll see the 54.4 margin widen, eating into your profits. Watching the market trends and stockpiling your heavy iron for a price bump is a veteran move.
Market Insights
How Are Ferrous Scrap Prices Set?
Steel and iron prices are heavily driven by global export demand and domestic steel mill production. Yards base their board prices on the CME index, factoring in a 54.4 spread to cover shearing, shredding, and hauling costs. Currently, the ferrous category averages $0.11/lb, but because iron is a volume game, prices are usually quoted per gross ton (2,240 lbs) or net ton (2,000 lbs) for large peddlers.
Tips to Maximize Your Steel Load
- Cut it to length: Slicing long structural pieces into 3-foot or 5-foot prepared sections instantly upgrades your payout.
- Sort out the cast: Automotive cast iron, like brake rotors and drums, is a premium grade. Don't throw it in with the tin.
- Know your tare weight: Iron is heavy. Always make sure you know your truck's empty weight before hitting a new scale to ensure you're getting paid for every pound.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Prepared and Unprepared Steel?
Prepared steel (#1 HMS) has already been cut to the exact dimensions required by the steel mills (typically under 3 or 5 feet in length and at least 1/4 inch thick). Unprepared steel is too large or bulky to go straight to the mill, meaning the scrap yard has to spend time, gas, and labor shearing or torching it. Because of this extra work, unprepared steel always commands a lower price at the scale.
Do scrap yards buy wire fence?
Yes, but it is considered a very low-tier ferrous grade. Wire Fence is mostly air, incredibly difficult to handle, and gets tangled in yard equipment. It is almost always bought at the lowest shred or tin price. Make sure it is rolled up tightly and free of massive concrete posts to ensure the yard doesn't reject it outright.
Why do brake rotors pay more than regular light iron?
Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums) is extremely dense, clean, and melts at a consistent temperature, making it highly desirable for foundries. Light iron, on the other hand, is thin, often coated in plastic or paint, and yields much less pure steel after shredding and melting. Always separate your rotors from your regular shred to get the maximum payout.
Steel & Iron (Ferrous) scrap prices in Rockaway Township, New Jersey on the map
You're viewing Steel & Iron (Ferrous) scrap prices in Rockaway Township, New Jersey. Below are other cities in the state. You can also see Steel & Iron (Ferrous) prices in other states.