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North American Copper Scrap Jumps 17 Cents as Aluminum and Brass Rise
Four major clean copper grades advanced $0.17 per lb on September 8, while aluminum and brass/bronze also moved broadly higher. Steel and stainless steel scrap prices remained unchanged on the ScrapMonster Price Index.
By Carolina Curiel
Published September 9, 2026
Key Points
- #1 Copper Wire and Tubing, #2 Copper Wire and Tubing, #1 Copper Bare Bright and #3 Copper-Light Copper each rose $0.17 per lb.
- Copper Radiator gained $0.08 per lb, while several insulated and recovered-wire grades advanced $0.05 per lb.
- E.C. Aluminum Wire rose $0.03 per lb and numerous aluminum grades gained $0.02 per lb.
- Major brass and bronze grades advanced $0.04 per lb.
- Every listed steel and stainless steel grade remained unchanged.
MONTREAL (Scrap Monster): North American scrap metal prices moved broadly higher on the ScrapMonster Price Index on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, led by a sharp increase across major clean copper grades. Aluminum and brass/bronze also recorded widespread gains, while steel and stainless steel remained unchanged.
The largest reported move was in copper, where #1 Copper Wire and Tubing, #2 Copper Wire and Tubing, #1 Copper Bare Bright and #3 Copper-Light Copper each advanced $0.17 per lb. The gains extended across several other copper categories, although Cu/Al radiator grades remained flat.
Copper Scrap Prices
Alternator scrap increased $0.02 per lb from the previous day.
#1 Copper Wire and Tubing, #2 Copper Wire and Tubing, #1 Copper Bare Bright and #3 Copper-Light Copper each rose $0.17 per lb.
#1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery and #2 Insulated Copper Wire 50% Recovery both increased $0.05 per lb. Harness Wire 35% Recovery and Romex Wire also gained $0.05 per lb.
Copper Radiator recorded an $0.08-per-lb increase. Heater Cores rose $0.03 per lb, while Cu Yokes, Scrap Electric Motors, Starters and Sealed Units each advanced $0.02 per lb.
Copper Transformer scrap and Xmas Lights each increased $0.01 per lb.
Cu/Al Radiator Ends, Cu/Al Radiators and Cu/Al Radiators/Fe were unchanged from the previous day.
Aluminum Scrap Prices
Aluminum also moved broadly higher. E.C. Aluminum Wire recorded the strongest listed aluminum increase at $0.03 per lb.
1100 Scrap, 3003 Scrap, 356 Aluminum Wheels, 6063 Extrusions/Fe, 6061 Extrusions, 5052 Scrap and 6063 Extrusions each gained $0.02 per lb.
Chrome Wheels, MLC Clips, Litho Sheets, Old Cast, Old Sheet, UBC, Zorba 90% NF and Painted Siding also increased $0.02 per lb.
Aluminum Radiators, Breakage 50% Recovery and Mixed Aluminum Turnings edged higher by $0.01 per lb.
Al/Cu Radiators, Al/Cu Radiators/Fe, Aluminum Radiators/Fe and Aluminum Transformers recorded no change.
Steel Scrap Prices
Steel scrap prices were unchanged across every listed grade in the September 8 assessment.
- #1 Bundle: No change
- #1 Busheling: No change
- #1 HMS: No change
- HMS 80/20: No change
Sheet Metal, Shredded Auto Scrap and Structural Steel also remained flat from the previous day.
Stainless Steel Scrap Prices
Stainless steel prices likewise recorded no day-over-day movement.
201 SS, 301 SS, 304 SS Solid, 304 SS Turning and 309 SS were unchanged. Prices for 310 SS, 330 SS and 316 SS Solid also held at their previous levels.
Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices
Brass and bronze scrap prices posted widespread increases across the North American Index.
70/30 Brass Scrap, 80/20 Brass Scrap, 85/15 Brass Scrap and Brass Radiator each increased $0.04 per lb.
Red Brass, Red Borings and Yellow Brass also advanced $0.04 per lb.
Brass Radiator/Fe and Brass Radiator Ends recorded no change from the previous day's price levels.
