Current Prices for Used Aluminum Cans (UBC) in North Carolina
Right now, scrap yards in North Carolina are paying an average of $0.76 per pound for clean Aluminum Cans (UBC). Check the local yard listings below to find the best buyers and scale rates for your crushed cans.
Average Aluminum Cans (UBC) Price
- Low (up to $0.50): Floor price, typically for small loads.
- Mid ($0.63): A fair deal for standard quantities.
- High ($0.75+): Top-dollar rate. Offered for large commercial loads or by the most competitive buyers.
Pricing verified from 3 live board rates today.
Top Scrap Yards Buying Aluminum Cans in North Carolina
Don't just hand your bags of cans to the first buyer you see. Yards in North Carolina will offer different rates based on your volume and whether the cans are crushed, clean, and dry. The national average sits around $0.76 per pound, but calling the local yards below can help you secure the best payout before you load your truck.
Biltmore Iron & Metal Co Inc
CMC Recycling
CMC Recycling
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🚀 List your scrap yard ⟶How Aluminum Cans (UBC) Compare to Other Grades
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.
Aluminum Cans (UBC) Price Trends & Market History
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.
Aluminum Cans (UBC): Scrap Yard Price vs. World Market (LME)
Avg scrap yard price
World market price (LME)
Aluminum Cans (UBC): Spread vs. Exchange — Monthly History
| Period | World price (per lb) | Scrap yard price (per lb) | Spread vs. exchange |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2026 (current) | $1.097176 | $0.68 | -$0.42 (38.4%) |
| February 2026 | $1.2032 | $0.71 | -$0.49 (40.9%) |
| January 2026 | $1.051423 | $0.60 | -$0.45 (43%) |
| December 2025 | $0.982942 | $0.61 | -$0.37 (37.7%) |
| November 2025 | $0.930043 | $0.55 | -$0.38 (41.3%) |
| October 2025 | $0.887584 | $0.55 | -$0.33 (37.6%) |
| September 2025 | $0.86119 | $0.54 | -$0.32 (37.6%) |
| August 2025 | $0.866703 | $0.51 | -$0.35 (40.9%) |
| July 2025 | $0.837774 | $0.52 | -$0.32 (37.6%) |
| June 2025 | $0.802343 | $0.50 | -$0.30 (37.6%) |
| May 2025 | $0.807171 | $0.50 | -$0.30 (37.7%) |
| April 2025 | $0.744003 | $0.46 | -$0.28 (37.6%) |
| March 2025 | $0.878574 | $0.53 | -$0.35 (40%) |
| February 2025 | $0.893382 | $0.56 | -$0.34 (37.6%) |
| January 2025 | $0.812942 | $0.53 | -$0.28 (34.7%) |
| December 2024 | $0.805026 | $0.50 | -$0.30 (37.6%) |
| November 2024 | $0.80919 | $0.51 | -$0.30 (37.5%) |
| October 2024 | $0.84811 | $0.53 | -$0.32 (37.6%) |
| September 2024 | $0.84145 | $0.53 | -$0.32 (37.6%) |
| August 2024 | $0.838665 | $0.49 | -$0.34 (41%) |
| July 2024 | $0.905877 | $0.53 | -$0.37 (41.2%) |
| June 2024 | $0.957757 | $0.60 | -$0.36 (37.6%) |
| May 2024 | $0.995197 | $0.62 | -$0.37 (37.7%) |
| April 2024 | $0.9588 | $0.55 | -$0.41 (43%) |
| March 2024 | $0.916803 | $0.57 | -$0.34 (37.6%) |
| February 2024 | $0.908876 | $0.50 | -$0.41 (44.6%) |
| January 2024 | $0.981155 | $0.61 | -$0.37 (37.7%) |
| December 2023 | $0.992781 | $0.61 | -$0.39 (38.9%) |
| November 2023 | $0.936113 | $0.58 | -$0.35 (37.8%) |
| October 2023 | $0.91751 | $0.57 | -$0.35 (37.8%) |
| September 2023 | $0.946997 | $0.59 | -$0.36 (37.7%) |
| August 2023 | $0.930013 | $0.58 | -$0.35 (37.7%) |
| July 2023 | $0.934068 | $0.58 | -$0.35 (37.6%) |
| June 2023 | $0.944237 | $0.59 | -$0.35 (37.5%) |
| May 2023 | $0.9455 | $0.54 | -$0.40 (42.6%) |
| April 2023 | $0.971563 | $0.61 | -$0.37 (37.7%) |
| March 2023 | $1.031729 | $0.59 | -$0.45 (43.2%) |
| February 2023 | $1.081664 | $0.67 | -$0.41 (38.1%) |
| January 2023 | $1.063787 | $0.56 | -$0.50 (47.3%) |
| December 2022 | $1.03949 | $0.65 | -$0.39 (37.7%) |
| November 2022 | $1.026153 | $0.56 | -$0.46 (45%) |
| October 2022 | $0.962755 | $0.60 | -$0.36 (37.6%) |
| September 2022 | $0.9553 | $0.58 | -$0.38 (39.6%) |
| August 2022 | $1.002665 | $0.58 | -$0.42 (42.3%) |
| July 2022 | $0.932735 | $0.58 | -$0.35 (37.7%) |
| June 2022 | $1.03653 | $0.55 | -$0.49 (46.8%) |
| May 2022 | $1.104181 | $0.71 | -$0.39 (35.6%) |
| April 2022 | $1.12712 | $0.68 | -$0.45 (39.7%) |
| March 2022 | $1.070248 | $0.65 | -$0.42 (39%) |
| February 2022 | $1.12205 | $0.69 | -$0.43 (38.4%) |
| January 2022 | $1.156365 | $0.61 | -$0.55 (47.1%) |
| December 2021 | $1.092839 | $0.68 | -$0.41 (37.7%) |
| November 2021 | $1.072407 | $0.67 | -$0.40 (37.6%) |
| October 2021 | $1.051368 | $0.52 | -$0.53 (50.5%) |
| September 2021 | $1.110613 | $0.69 | -$0.42 (37.7%) |
| August 2021 | $1.181813 | $0.71 | -$0.47 (39.9%) |
| July 2021 | $1.106519 | $0.64 | -$0.46 (41.8%) |
| June 2021 | $1.065053 | $0.57 | -$0.50 (46.5%) |
| May 2021 | $1.079274 | $0.57 | -$0.51 (47%) |
| April 2021 | $1.063943 | $0.57 | -$0.50 (46.8%) |
| March 2021 | $1.038232 | $0.65 | -$0.39 (37.6%) |
| February 2021 | $0.997864 | $0.52 | -$0.48 (47.9%) |
| January 2021 | $0.978155 | $0.46 | -$0.52 (52.9%) |
| December 2020 | $0.912668 | $0.57 | -$0.34 (37.6%) |
| November 2020 | $0.788713 | $0.49 | -$0.30 (37.5%) |
| October 2020 | $0.748797 | $0.47 | -$0.28 (37.6%) |
| September 2020 | $0.74391 | $0.46 | -$0.28 (37.6%) |
| August 2020 | $0.681152 | $0.39 | -$0.29 (42.1%) |
| July 2020 | $0.682474 | $0.43 | -$0.26 (37.6%) |
| June 2020 | $0.707093 | $0.44 | -$0.27 (37.7%) |
| May 2020 | $0.667345 | $0.42 | -$0.25 (37.7%) |
| April 2020 | $0.655233 | $0.41 | -$0.25 (37.6%) |
| March 2020 | $0.63179 | $0.39 | -$0.24 (37.6%) |
| February 2020 | $0.865779 | $0.54 | -$0.33 (37.6%) |
| January 2020 | $0.878045 | $0.55 | -$0.33 (37.5%) |
| December 2019 | $0.919229 | $0.47 | -$0.45 (49.2%) |
| November 2019 | $0.903547 | $0.48 | -$0.42 (47%) |
| October 2019 | $0.820784 | $0.51 | -$0.31 (37.5%) |
| September 2019 | $0.807807 | $0.50 | -$0.30 (37.6%) |
| August 2019 | $0.738452 | $0.46 | -$0.28 (37.5%) |
| July 2019 | $0.808777 | $0.50 | -$0.30 (37.6%) |
| June 2019 | $0.780903 | $0.49 | -$0.29 (37.6%) |
| May 2019 | $0.820665 | $0.51 | -$0.31 (37.6%) |
| April 2019 | $0.942947 | $0.59 | -$0.36 (37.7%) |
| March 2019 | $0.911219 | $0.57 | -$0.34 (37.7%) |
| February 2019 | $0.934725 | $0.58 | -$0.35 (37.6%) |
| January 2019 | $0.875529 | $0.55 | -$0.33 (37.5%) |
| December 2018 | $0.842287 | $0.52 | -$0.32 (37.7%) |
| November 2018 | $0.97931 | $0.61 | -$0.37 (37.7%) |
| October 2018 | $1.115935 | $0.70 | -$0.42 (37.6%) |
| September 2018 | $1.203813 | $0.75 | -$0.45 (37.5%) |
| August 2018 | $1.192819 | $0.67 | -$0.52 (43.8%) |
| July 2018 | $1.199784 | $0.75 | -$0.45 (37.7%) |
| June 2018 | $1.261433 | $0.79 | -$0.48 (37.7%) |
| May 2018 | $1.294884 | $0.81 | -$0.49 (37.6%) |
| April 2018 | $1.215763 | $0.76 | -$0.46 (37.6%) |
| March 2018 | $1.178032 | $0.73 | -$0.44 (37.6%) |
| February 2018 | $1.196529 | $0.75 | -$0.45 (37.6%) |
| January 2018 | $1.240045 | $0.77 | -$0.47 (37.6%) |
| December 2017 | $1.152535 | $0.72 | -$0.43 (37.5%) |
| November 2017 | $1.124073 | $0.70 | -$0.42 (37.7%) |
| October 2017 | $1.080894 | $0.67 | -$0.41 (37.7%) |
| September 2017 | $1.024547 | $0.64 | -$0.39 (37.7%) |
| August 2017 | $1.01609 | $0.63 | -$0.38 (37.6%) |
| July 2017 | $1.05311 | $0.66 | -$0.40 (37.7%) |
| June 2017 | $1.012163 | $0.63 | -$0.38 (37.6%) |
| May 2017 | $1.030332 | $0.64 | -$0.39 (37.8%) |
| April 2017 | $1.047077 | $0.65 | -$0.40 (37.8%) |
| March 2017 | $1.074468 | $0.67 | -$0.40 (37.6%) |
| February 2017 | $1.078479 | $0.67 | -$0.41 (37.7%) |
| January 2017 | $1.065594 | $0.66 | -$0.40 (37.6%) |
| December 2016 | $1.028835 | $0.63 | -$0.40 (39%) |
| November 2016 | $0.931123 | $0.54 | -$0.39 (42.1%) |
| October 2016 | $0.8537 | $0.49 | -$0.37 (42.9%) |
| September 2016 | $0.80081 | $0.50 | -$0.30 (37.6%) |
| August 2016 | $0.826381 | $0.52 | -$0.31 (37.5%) |
| July 2016 | $0.774219 | $0.48 | -$0.29 (37.6%) |
| June 2016 | $0.741897 | $0.46 | -$0.28 (37.8%) |
| May 2016 | $0.718016 | $0.45 | -$0.27 (37.4%) |
| April 2016 | $0.715587 | $0.45 | -$0.27 (37.7%) |
| March 2016 | $0.670245 | $0.42 | -$0.25 (37.8%) |
| February 2016 | $0.592476 | $0.37 | -$0.22 (37.7%) |
| January 2016 | $0.618029 | $0.36 | -$0.26 (42.2%) |
| December 2015 | $0.687187 | $0.43 | -$0.26 (37.7%) |
| November 2015 | $0.741517 | $0.46 | -$0.28 (37.5%) |
| October 2015 | $0.717597 | $0.45 | -$0.27 (37.7%) |
| September 2015 | $0.69765 | $0.43 | -$0.26 (37.7%) |
| August 2015 | $0.799229 | $0.49 | -$0.30 (38.1%) |
| July 2015 | $0.83201 | $0.49 | -$0.34 (40.7%) |
| June 2015 | $0.884197 | $0.55 | -$0.33 (37.6%) |
| May 2015 | $0.905884 | $0.56 | -$0.34 (37.7%) |
| April 2015 | $0.92614 | $0.58 | -$0.35 (37.4%) |
| March 2015 | $0.903377 | $0.56 | -$0.34 (37.6%) |
| February 2015 | $0.864918 | $0.54 | -$0.32 (37.5%) |
| January 2015 | $0.787571 | $0.49 | -$0.30 (37.7%) |
| December 2014 | $0.791997 | $0.49 | -$0.30 (37.7%) |
| November 2014 | $0.811037 | $0.51 | -$0.31 (37.7%) |
| October 2014 | $0.790697 | $0.49 | -$0.30 (37.7%) |
| September 2014 | $0.870313 | $0.54 | -$0.33 (37.7%) |
| August 2014 | $0.829068 | $0.52 | -$0.31 (37.7%) |
| July 2014 | $0.881987 | $0.55 | -$0.33 (37.6%) |
| June 2014 | $0.89763 | $0.56 | -$0.34 (37.6%) |
| May 2014 | $0.889613 | $0.56 | -$0.33 (37.6%) |
| April 2014 | $0.877687 | $0.55 | -$0.33 (37.6%) |
| March 2014 | $0.867168 | $0.54 | -$0.33 (37.7%) |
| February 2014 | $0.910004 | $0.57 | -$0.34 (37.6%) |
| January 2014 | $0.922352 | $0.57 | -$0.35 (37.7%) |
| December 2013 | $0.899003 | $0.56 | -$0.34 (37.9%) |
| November 2013 | $0.921687 | $0.57 | -$0.35 (37.7%) |
| October 2013 | $0.861129 | $0.54 | -$0.32 (37.7%) |
| September 2013 | $0.83415 | $0.52 | -$0.31 (37.5%) |
| August 2013 | $0.791706 | $0.49 | -$0.30 (37.7%) |
| July 2013 | $0.735177 | $0.46 | -$0.28 (37.6%) |
| June 2013 | $0.711457 | $0.44 | -$0.27 (37.5%) |
| May 2013 | $0.759892 | $0.48 | -$0.28 (36.6%) |
Aluminum Cans (UBC) 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 | $0.63 / lb | +$0.20 | $0.50 - $0.75 |
| 1/13/2026 | $0.43 / lb | -$0.02 | $0.43 - $0.43 |
| 11/26/2025 | $0.45 / lb | +$0.03 | $0.45 - $0.45 |
| 8/10/2025 | $0.42 / lb | -$0.03 | $0.42 - $0.42 |
| 3/28/2025 | $0.45 / lb | -$0.15 | $0.45 - $0.45 |
| 1/21/2025 | $0.60 / lb | +$0.20 | $0.60 - $0.60 |
| 8/9/2024 | $0.40 / lb | -$0.05 | $0.40 - $0.40 |
| 7/17/2024 | $0.45 / lb | +$0.05 | $0.45 - $0.45 |
| 4/24/2024 | $0.40 / lb | +$0.07 | $0.40 - $0.40 |
| 2/29/2024 | $0.33 / lb | -$0.22 | $0.30 - $0.35 |
| 12/11/2023 | $0.55 / lb | -$0.05 | $0.55 - $0.55 |
| 6/9/2023 | $0.60 / lb | +$0.20 | $0.60 - $0.60 |
| 5/31/2023 | $0.40 / lb | -$0.25 | $0.40 - $0.40 |
| 3/27/2023 | $0.65 / lb | +$0.27 | $0.65 - $0.65 |
| 3/25/2023 | $0.38 / lb | -$0.22 | $0.38 - $0.38 |
| 2/2/2023 | $0.60 / lb | +$0.30 | $0.60 - $0.60 |
| 1/28/2023 | $0.30 / lb | -$0.25 | $0.30 - $0.30 |
| 11/30/2022 | $0.55 / lb | +$0.15 | $0.55 - $0.55 |
| 11/27/2022 | $0.40 / lb | -$0.10 | $0.40 - $0.40 |
| 9/29/2022 | $0.50 / lb | -$0.10 | $0.50 - $0.50 |
| 8/13/2022 | $0.60 / lb | +$0.15 | $0.60 - $0.60 |
| 8/12/2022 | $0.45 / lb | +$0.15 | $0.45 - $0.45 |
| 6/16/2022 | $0.30 / lb | -$0.05 | $0.30 - $0.30 |
| 5/20/2022 | $0.35 / lb | -$0.45 | $0.35 - $0.35 |
| 5/19/2022 | $0.80 / lb | +$0.25 | $0.80 - $0.80 |
| 4/5/2022 | $0.55 / lb | +$0.10 | $0.55 - $0.55 |
| 2/1/2022 | $0.45 / lb | — no change | $0.45 - $0.45 |
| 1/29/2022 | $0.45 / lb | -$0.10 | $0.45 - $0.45 |
| 1/23/2022 | $0.55 / lb | +$0.12 | $0.40 - $0.70 |
| 10/28/2021 | $0.43 / lb | +$0.08 | $0.35 - $0.50 |
| 10/21/2021 | $0.35 / lb | -$0.10 | $0.35 - $0.35 |
| 8/3/2021 | $0.45 / lb | +$0.13 | $0.45 - $0.45 |
| 6/14/2021 | $0.32 / lb | +$0.02 | $0.32 - $0.32 |
| 5/16/2021 | $0.30 / lb | — no change | $0.30 - $0.30 |
| 4/21/2021 | $0.30 / lb | +$0.02 | $0.30 - $0.30 |
| 2/26/2021 | $0.28 / lb | -$0.12 | $0.28 - $0.28 |
| 1/28/2021 | $0.40 / lb | +$0.15 | $0.40 - $0.40 |
| 1/20/2021 | $0.25 / lb | -$0.05 | $0.25 - $0.25 |
| 8/10/2020 | $0.30 / lb | -$0.02 | $0.30 - $0.30 |
| 12/14/2019 | $0.32 / lb | -$0.03 | $0.32 - $0.32 |
| 12/6/2019 | $0.35 / lb | +$0.05 | $0.35 - $0.35 |
| 11/21/2019 | $0.30 / lb | -$0.15 | $0.30 - $0.30 |
| 8/25/2018 | $0.45 / lb | +$0.05 | $0.45 - $0.45 |
| 12/2/2016 | $0.40 / lb | +$0.05 | $0.40 - $0.40 |
| 10/16/2016 | $0.35 / lb | +$0.05 | $0.35 - $0.35 |
| 1/9/2016 | $0.30 / lb | -$0.10 | $0.30 - $0.30 |
| 8/1/2015 | $0.40 / lb | -$0.20 | $0.40 - $0.40 |
| 4/27/2015 | $0.60 / lb | +$0.04 | $0.60 - $0.60 |
| 12/30/2013 | $0.56 / lb | -$0.01 | $0.56 - $0.56 |
Cashing In on Aluminum Cans (UBC): The Scrapper's Bread and Butter
Used Beverage Cans (UBCs) are the gateway metal of the scrap world. Whether you are crushing a few garbage bags a month or hauling gaylords full of them, they are a consistent money-maker. Nationwide, our data shows clean, dry Aluminum Cans pulling anywhere from $0.60 to $1.00 per pound. While they might not carry the heavyweight payouts of Aluminum 6061 Structural, the sheer volume and easy access make UBCs a staple for any serious peddler in North Carolina. But if you think you can just toss any shiny can into a bag and get top dollar, you are setting yourself up for a rude awakening at the scale.
Water Weight and Contamination: How to Lose Money Fast
The scale master is not your friend when it comes to wet or dirty cans. Yards despise moisture because it messes with the melting process and adds false weight. If a buyer sees liquid pouring out of your bags, they will slap a massive deduction on your ticket or reject the load entirely. Similarly, tossing in tin soup cans or aluminum foil will tank your price. If you get lazy and your UBCs are downgraded or mixed, you might end up getting paid at the Aluminum Foil & Light Gauge rate, costing you roughly $0.66 per pound in lost value.
Yard Pro Tip: The oldest trick in the book for UBCs is the magnet sweep. Manufacturers sometimes mix steel beverage cans into the market, or steel pet food cans sneak into your bin. Run a strong magnet through your crushed cans before bagging them. If a can sticks, it is steel—throw it in your shred pile. One magnetic can visible in a clear trash bag is all it takes for a yard buyer to downgrade your entire load of prime aluminum.
The Scrapper's Guide to Prepping UBCs
Getting the maximum payout between $0.60 and $1.00 requires a bit of prep. Buyers want dense, dry, and pure aluminum. Here is how you ensure top tier pricing:
- Crush Them Flat: Yards love density. Uncrushed cans take up too much space in a truck and gaylord box. Crushing them allows you to haul more weight per trip, and some yards explicitly pay a few cents more per pound for pre-crushed loads.
- Keep It Strictly Beverage: UBC stands for Used Beverage Cans. Do not mix in Aluminum 3003 siding or $1.20 to $1.32/lb scraps. Even though they are all aluminum, UBCs are a specific alloy blend that secondary smelters want pure.
- Empty the Trash: Remove any plastic bottles, foil wrappers, or cigarette butts that people notoriously shove inside empty cans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current national average price for Aluminum Cans?
Right now, scrap yards are paying an average of $0.76 per pound for clean UBCs. This benchmark generally tracks the LME markets, floating about 37.6% below the spot price depending on local demand and the yard's processing overhead.
Do I have to wash my aluminum cans before scrapping?
You do not need to scrub them with soap, but they absolutely must be completely drained of liquid. Rinsing them out lightly prevents sticky syrup build-up and keeps the bees away, but the most critical factor is ensuring they are bone dry when they hit the scale.
Why do yards pay different prices for crushed vs. uncrushed cans?
Transportation and storage are huge costs for scrap yards. Crushed cans take up significantly less volume, meaning the yard can pack more weight into a shipping container bound for the smelter. Because crushed cans save them processing time and space, many buyers offer a slightly higher rate for the effort.
Aluminum Cans (UBC) scrap prices in North Carolina on the map
The map shows cities in North Carolina with Aluminum Cans (UBC) scrap prices. Click a marker or pick a city in the list below to see Aluminum Cans (UBC) prices in that location.