North American Scrap Metal Prices Edge Higher on the Index- May 20, 2026

TORONTO (Scrap Monster): As of Wednesday, May 20, 2026, North American scrap metal prices, including copper, aluminum, and Brass/Bronze, recorded broad gains on the ScrapMonster Price Index. On the contrary, Stainless Steel and Steel scrap prices held steady on the Index.

• Copper: Across-the-board jump

• Aluminum: Sharp overall gain

• Brass/Bronze: Widespread increase

• Stainless Steel: Flat trend

• Steel: Witnessed no change

Copper Scrap Prices

The price of Alternator scrap remained unchanged from the previous day.

The price of #1 Copper Wire and Tubing, #2 Copper Wire and Tubing, #1 Copper Bare Bright, and #3 Copper- Light Copper increased by $0.13 per Lb.  

The prices of #1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery and #2 Insulated Copper Wire 50% Recovery were up by $0.03 per Lb each on the Index. 

Copper Radiator scrap prices recorded a jump of $0.05 per Lb.

Copper Transformer scrap prices were unchanged on the Index.

Cu Yokes prices saw a slight increase of $0.01 per Lb on a daily basis.

Cu/Al Radiator Ends, Cu/Al Radiators and Cu/Al Radiators/Fe prices were flat as of May 20, 2026.

Harness Wire 35% Recovery, Heater Cores and Romex Wire prices jumped $0.03 per Lb on the Index.

The prices of Scrap Electric Motors, Starters, Xmas Lights and Sealed units recorded no fluctuation from the previous day’s price levels.

Aluminum Scrap Prices

1100 Scrap prices were up by $0.01 per Lb over the previous day.

The prices of 3003 Scrap and 356 Aluminum Wheels saw an increase by $0.01 per Lb each.

6063 Extrusions/Fe prices edged higher by $0.01 per Lb on the Index.

The prices of 6061 Extrusions showed a jump of $0.01 per Lb over the previous day.

Also, prices of 5052 Scrap and 6063 Extrusions recorded increases of $0.01 per Lb each when compared with the prior day’s price.

The prices of Al/Cu Radiators and Al/Cu Radiators/Fe saw no variation on the Index.

Aluminum Radiators prices were flat on a daily basis.

Aluminum Radiators/Fe and Aluminum Transformers prices held steady on the Index.

Breakage 50% Recovery prices did not change as of May 20, 2026.

E.C Aluminum Wire prices saw a jump of $0.01 per Lb on the Index.

Chrome Wheels and MLC Clips reported price jumps by $0.01 per Lb each when compared with the previous day’s price levels.

Litho Sheets and Mixed Aluminum Turnings prices were up by $0.01 per Lb on the Index.

The prices of Old Cast, Old Sheet, UBC and Zorba 90% NF witnessed jumps by $0.01 per Lb over the previous day.

Also, Painted Siding prices increased by $0.01 per Lb on the Index.

Steel Scrap Prices

• #1 Bundle: No change

• #1 Busheling: Held steady

• #1 HMS: Flat trend

• HMS 80/20: Remained unchanged

 Sheet Metal prices were flat on the Index.

Shredded Auto Scrap and Structural Steel prices recorded no variation as of May 20, 2026.

Stainless Steel Scrap Prices

201 SS and 301 SS prices were unchanged on the Index.

304 SS Solid, 304 SS Turning and 309 SS prices were flat as of May 20, 2026.

310 SS prices saw no variation from the previous day’s level.

330 SS prices held steady on the Index.

Also, 316 SS Solid prices recorded no fluctuation from the previous day’s price level.

Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices

The Brass/Bronze Scrap prices in the North American region witnessed a jump on the Index.

• 70/30 Brass Scrap: Up by $0.03 per Lb

• 80/20 Brass Scrap: Increased by $0.03 per Lb

• 85/15 Brass Scrap: Saw a jump of $0.03 per Lb

• Brass Radiator: Edged higher by $0.03 per Lb

Brass Radiator /Fe and Brass Radiator Ends prices saw no change from the previous day's price levels as of Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

In the meantime, Red Brass, Red Borings, and Yellow Brass prices edged higher by $0.03 per Lb on the Index. 

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