North American Copper Scrap Rebounds 5 Cents as Brass Gains, Steel and Aluminum Hold Flat

Major clean copper grades rose $0.05 per lb on September 2, partly reversing the previous session's sharp decline. Key brass and bronze grades gained $0.01 per lb, while aluminum, steel and stainless steel remained unchanged on the ScrapMonster Price Index.

By Carolina Curiel
Published September 3, 2026

MONTREAL (Scrap Monster): North American scrap metal prices remained mostly unchanged on the ScrapMonster Price Index as of Wednesday, September 2, 2026. Copper and brass/bronze scrap prices registered modest gains, while aluminum, steel and stainless steel held steady.

The September 2 advance marked a partial reversal for copper and brass following the previous session's broad decline. On September 1, the major clean copper grades had fallen $0.13 per lb, while major brass and bronze grades declined $0.03 per lb. Stainless steel also fell across several grades in that session before stabilizing on September 2.

Copper Scrap Prices

Alternator scrap recorded no variation from the previous day.

#1 Copper Wire and Tubing increased $0.05 per lb. #2 Copper Wire and Tubing also gained $0.05 per lb, while #1 Copper Bare Bright moved higher by $0.05 per lb.

#1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery increased $0.01 per lb from the previous day. #2 Insulated Copper Wire 50% Recovery also gained $0.01 per lb on the Index. #3 Copper-Light rose $0.05 per lb.

Copper Radiator scrap increased $0.01 per lb.

Copper Transformer Scrap, Cu Yokes, Cu/Al Radiator Ends, Cu/Al Radiators, Cu/Al Radiators/Fe, Harness Wire 35% Recovery and Heater Cores remained unchanged on the Index.

Romex Wire edged higher by $0.01 per lb.

Scrap Electric Motors, Starters, Sealed Units and Xmas Lights recorded no change from the previous day's price levels.

Aluminum Scrap Prices

Aluminum scrap prices remained unchanged across the listed grades.

1100 Scrap and 3003 Scrap were flat on the Index. Prices for 356 Aluminum Wheels and 6063 Extrusions/Fe also recorded no change.

6063 Extrusions held steady, while 5052 Scrap and 6061 Extrusions remained flat compared with the previous day.

Al/Cu Radiators and Al/Cu Radiators/Fe were unchanged. Aluminum Radiators, Aluminum Radiators/Fe, Aluminum Transformers and Breakage 50% Recovery also held steady.

E.C. Aluminum Wire, Chrome Wheels, Litho Sheets and MLC Clips remained at the previous day's price levels.

Mixed Aluminum Turnings were unchanged.

Old Cast and UBC recorded no price movement, while Old Sheet, Painted Siding and Zorba 90% NF also remained flat.

Steel Scrap Prices

Steel scrap prices were unchanged across the listed grades.

#1 Bundle remained flat.

#1 Busheling and #1 HMS were also unchanged on the Index, while HMS 80/20 held steady.

Sheet Metal, Shredded Auto Scrap and Structural Steel recorded no movement from the previous day.

Stainless Steel Scrap Prices

Stainless steel prices stabilized after the declines recorded in the previous session.

201 SS and 301 SS were unchanged.

304 SS Solid remained flat compared with the previous day, while 304 SS Turning also recorded no change.

309 SS and 310 SS held at the previous day's levels.

330 SS was flat, while 316 SS Solid remained unchanged on the Index.

Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices

Brass and bronze scrap prices in North America recorded modest gains on the Index.

70/30 Brass Scrap, 80/20 Brass Scrap, 85/15 Brass Scrap and Brass Radiator each increased $0.01 per lb.

Brass Radiator/Fe and Brass Radiator Ends held steady compared with the previous day's price levels.

Red Brass, Red Borings and Yellow Brass each gained $0.01 per lb on the Index.