Scrap Metal Price: Weekly Market Report- October 3, 2025

The U.S. market is showing signs of weakness, with most grades expected to fall by $20 per gross ton

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The weekly market price trends in North America for various scrap metal categories on the Scrap Monster Price Index for the week of September 26–October 3, 2025, are given in the report that follows:

NON-FERROUS SCRAP

Market Drivers

Several key market policies are likely to have major influence on non-ferrous scrap metal prices. These include:

Export-Import regulations
Environmental & Recycling policies
Trade agreements and Regional policies
Tax incentives and subsidies
Anti-smuggling and Quality regulations
Monetary and Fiscal policies by countries

Aluminum Scrap Prices

North America

Highlights

E.C. Aluminum Wire (+2.52%), Mixed Aluminum Turnings (+2.08%)

Over the previous week, E.C. Aluminum Wire prices recorded the biggest jump, rising from $1.19 per Lb to $1.22 per Lb. The weekly chart of the commodity is provided below:

Also, Mixed Aluminum Turnings prices were up by 2.08% week-on-week.

In the meantime, prices of Aluminum Radiators, Al/Cu Radiators, Al/Cu Radiators/Fe, Aluminum Radiators/Fe, Aluminum Transformers and Breakage 50% Recovery held steady on the Index.

Charts

USA East Coast

The top three gainers over the previous week were E.C. Aluminum Wire, Mixed Aluminum Turnings and 6063 Extrusions/Fe.

Also, prices of Litho Sheets, Painted Siding, 1100 Scrap, 3003 Scrap, 356 Aluminum Wheels (Clean), 5052 Scrap, 6061 Extrusions, Chrome Wheels, MLC Clips, Old Sheet, Old Cast, UBC and 6063 Extrusions recorded increase week-on-week.

The prices of rest of the commodities remained flat on the Index as of October 3, 2025.

USA Midwest

The biggest increase in prices over the prior week was reported in E.C. Aluminum Wire. The prices of the commodity edged higher by 2.52%. Also, notable jump in prices were reported in Mixed Aluminum Turnings and 6063 Extrusion/Fe.

USA West Coast

The scrap categories to witness no variation in prices on the Scrap Monster Index during the previous week included Aluminum Radiators, Al/Cu Radiators, Al/Cu Radiators/Fe, Aluminum Radiators/Fe, Aluminum Transformers and Breakage 50% Recovery.

All the remaining aluminum scrap commodities registered week-on-week increase in prices.

Copper Scrap Prices

North America

Highlights

Majority of copper scrap categories recorded increase in price
Top three gainers: #3 Copper- Light Copper, #2 Copper Wire and Tubing, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing
Heater Cores reported the least weekly gain (+1.45%)

The table below provides weekly price fluctuations in #3 Copper- Light Copper, #2 Copper Wire and Tubing, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing.

Sl No	Category	Start Price	End Price	% Change
1	#3 Copper- Light Copper	4.42	4.54	+2.71%
2	#2 Copper Wire and Tubing	4.52	4.64	+2.65%
3	#1 Copper Wire and Tubing	4.62	4.74	+2.60%

Charts

USA East Coast

The price of #3 Copper- Light Copper increased the most, rising by 2.71%. The other major gainers were #2 Copper Wire and Tubing and #1 Copper Wire and Tubing, whose prices edged higher by 2.60% and 2.54% respectively.

USA Midwest

As of Thursday, October 2, 2025, the price of #3 Copper- Light Copper on the ScrapMonster Index was up 2.72% for the week, from $4.31 to $4.43 per pound. #2 Copper Wire & Tubing edged higher from the previous week’s closing price of $4.41 to $4.53 per pound. The average price of #1 Copper Wire and Tubing had increased by 2.66% to $4.63 per pound by the conclusion of the week.

USA West Coast

According to the ScrapMonster Index, the price of #3 Copper- Light Copper increased by 2.68% during the week, from $4.47 to $4.59 per pound. Last week, the price of #2 Copper Wire and Tubing was up by 2.63%. By the conclusion of the previous week, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing prices had inched up by 2.57% from $4.67 to $4.79 per pound.

Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices

North America

Highlights

Broad tone: All categories except Brass Radiator/Fe and Brass Radiator Ends inched up on the Index
Top mover: 85/15 Brass Scrap (+4.59%)

Over the previous week, 85/15 Brass scrap prices moved higher from $3.27 per Lb to $3.42 per Lb. Brass Radiator and Rod Borings also witnessed a jump of 1.81% each during the previous week. The weekly price chart of 85/15 Brass scrap is given below:

In the meantime, Brass Radiator Ends and Brass Radiator/Fe prices were flat week-on-week.

USA East Coast

Over the last week, 85/15 Brass scrap prices recorded maximum gains, rising by 4.59%. The prices of Brass Radiators, 70/30 Brass Scrap, 80/20 Brass Scrap, Red Brass, Rod Borings and Yellow Brass also inched up on the Index. At the end of the week, Brass Radiator Ends and Brass Radiator/Fe prices per pound held steady on the Index.

USA Midwest

All scrap categories except Brass Radiator Ends and Brass Radiator/Fe recorded jump from the previous week. The Index showed that the prices of 85/15 Brass scrap recorded the maximum jump, witnessing a surge by 4.59% week-on-week. The closing price of the commodity stood at $3.34 per pound.

USA West Coast

85/15 Brass scrap prices were the top gainer. The prices of the commodity were up by 4.55% to end the week at $3.45 per pound as of Thursday, October 2, 2025. Additionally, Rod Borings, Yellow Brass, Brass Radiator, 70/30 Brass Scrap, 80/20 Brass Scrap and Red Brass prices recorded increase from the previous week.

Lead/Zinc Scrap Prices

North America

Highlights

Lead scrap prices held steady on the Index
The prices of zinc scrap witnessed increase week-on-week.

New Zinc Die Cast and Old Zinc Die Cast were up by 1.27% and 1.52% respectively.

Lead scrap (Wheel Weights/Solid Lead/Range Lead/Scrap Auto Batteries/Soft Lead) recorded no variation in prices over the week.

Charts

USA East Coast

For the week ending October 2, 2025, the price of lead scrap, including scrap auto batteries, remained unchanged. The prices of New Zinc Die Cast registered a jump of 1.27% from the previous week’s price of $0.79 per Lb. Also, Old Zinc Die Cast prices also were up by 1.52% over the previous week.

USA Midwest

The price of scrap auto batteries remained steady throughout the week at $0.24 per pound, according to the ScrapMonster Index. The price of New Zinc Die Cast recorded an increase from $0.79 per Lb to $0.80 per Lb during the previous week. The price of Old Zinc Die Cast also inched up by 1.52% when compared with the previous week's price of $0.66 per pound.

USA West Coast

The price of scrap auto batteries remained at $0.24 per pound, same as it had been at the beginning of the week. During the week ended October 2, 2025, the price of New Zinc Die Cast recorded a jump of 1.27%. Furthermore, there was an increase of 1.52% week-on-week in Old Zinc Die Cast according to the Index. The commodity's price ended the week at $0.67 per Lb.

What could drive the non-ferrous scrap metal market in 2026?

Global Metal Prices: Scrap prices track LME/Shanghai metal prices, especially copper and aluminum.
Industrial & Green Energy Demand: Growth in EVs, electronics, and renewable energy infrastructure drives copper and aluminum scrap consumption.
Macroeconomic & Geopolitical Factors: Economic growth, currency fluctuations, and geopolitical tensions affect industrial demand and supply chains.

FERROUS SCRAP

Market Performance Snapshot

U.S. Market: The U.S. Producer Price Index (PPI) for ferrous metal scrap increased by 0.58% from July to August 2025, reaching 467.11, indicating stable domestic scrap pricing amid steady demand
Turkey (CFR Platts): Prices for steel scrap delivered to Turkey were reported at $348.50 per ton for the October contract, reflecting a slight decline of 0.57% from the previous month
China: Steel prices fell to 3,005 CNY per ton on October 1, 2025, marking a 0.89% decrease from the previous day and a 10.83% drop over the past month, suggesting weakening demand in the Chinese steel market

Steel Scrap Prices

North America

Highlights

All steel scrap commodities held steady

The table below provides closing price of various steel scrap commodities as of Thursday, October 2, 2025.

Sl No	Commodity Name	End Price($/MT)
1	#1 Bundle	400
2	#1 Busheling	420
3	#1HMS	320
4	HMS80/20	265
5	Sheet Metal	235
6	Shredded Auto Scrap	370
7	Structural Steel	320

Charts

USA East Coast

According to the ScrapMonster Index, #1 HMS's prices remained stable at $320 per MT throughout the week. The weekly price for Shredded Auto Scrap was $370 per MT, the same as the previous week. Throughout the week, the price of HMS 80/20 remained constant at $265 per MT. Additionally, the #1 Busheling rates in the Index did not change.

USA Midwest

The prices of #1 HMS have not altered in the past week. Shredded Auto Scrap was likewise flat during the week. The HMS 80/20 pricing for the Index stayed at $265 per MT. #1 Busheling remained at $420 per MT in the week ending October 2, 2025.

USA West Coast

Over the previous week, the #1 HMS's price has remained unchanged. The commodity's price remained steady at $320 per MT. Additionally, the price of Shredded Auto Scrap remained steady at $370 per MT throughout the week. HMS 80/20's pricing remained at $265 per MT from the previous week. Additionally, the price of #1 Busheling remained constant at $420 per MT throughout the week.

Stainless Steel Scrap Prices

North America

Highlights

No weekly variation in prices

The prices of Stainless Steel scrap recorded no change over the previous week.

Chart

USA East Coast

The preceding week, which ended on October 2, 2025, saw no change in the price of 304 SS Solid. The commodity's price was flat at $0.61 per pound.

USA Midwest

There was no change in 304 SS solid prices from week to week. At the end of the week, the Index's prices were $0.61 per pound.

USA West Coast

For the week ending October 2, 2025, 304 SS Solid prices stayed flat at $0.61 a pound.

OUTLOOK

Market Size & Growth: The global ferrous scrap recycling market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9% from 2025 to 2030, reaching USD 192.6 billion by 2030
Recycling Market Expansion: The market size for ferrous scrap recycling was valued at USD 1.41 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 4.58 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 15.83% from 2026 to 2032
Regional Growth: In the U.S., the ferrous scrap market anticipates a moderate price uptick of 2.8% in July 2025, with a Trend Indicator of 55.6, signaling mildly bullish expectations

As of early October 2025, the global scrap metal markets are experiencing divergent trends:

Ferrous Scrap: The U.S. market is showing signs of weakness, with most grades expected to fall by $20 per gross ton due to scheduled mill outages, logistical challenges, and a weak export market. Supply remains abundant, but demand is lagging, keeping the market under pressure
Non-Ferrous Scrap: The market is facing strong downward pressure, with a significant bearish trend continuing to drive prices lower across various grades of non-ferrous scrap. The Trend Indicator has fallen to 25.4, indicating strong bearish sentiment