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Copper Scrap Drops 6¢/Lb as North American Metals Weaken
North American scrap buying benchmarks moved broadly lower on October 1, led by 6¢/lb declines in major clean copper grades. Aluminum fell across most listed categories and brass/bronze also weakened, while steel and stainless steel remained unchanged.
By Carolina Curiel
Published October 2, 2026
Market data: October 1, 2026
Summary Points
- Major clean copper grades fell 6¢/lb, the largest moves among the listed North American scrap categories.
- 5052 Scrap and E.C. Aluminum Wire led aluminum declines at 2¢/lb, while most other affected grades fell 1¢/lb.
- Red Brass, Yellow Brass and several other major brass grades declined 1¢/lb.
- Steel scrap remained unchanged across #1 HMS, busheling, bundles, shredded and other listed grades.
- All listed stainless steel benchmarks held steady.
MONTREAL (Scrap Monster): North American scrap metal buying benchmarks came under renewed pressure on Thursday, October 1, 2026, as copper, aluminum and brass/bronze moved lower on the ScrapMonster Price Index.
Copper recorded the largest daily moves, with the principal clean grades losing 6¢/lb. Aluminum declined across most listed categories, while major brass grades fell 1¢/lb.
Steel and stainless steel were the exceptions, with no day-over-day changes recorded across the listed benchmark grades.
| Metal | October 1 Move | Market Read |
|---|---|---|
| Copper | ▼ Up to 6¢/lb | Clean grades led the decline |
| Aluminum | ▼ 1–2¢/lb | Broad weakness across listed grades |
| Brass/Bronze | ▼ Up to 1¢/lb | Major brass grades moved lower |
| Stainless Steel | → Flat | All listed grades unchanged |
| Steel | → Flat | Ferrous benchmarks remained stable |
SCRAPMONSTER EDGE
The notable shift Thursday was the renewed acceleration in copper weakness. Major clean grades fell 6¢/lb after declining just 2¢/lb on Wednesday. Aluminum remained under pressure and brass resumed moving lower, while steel and stainless provided the only broad areas of stability.
Copper Scrap Prices
Copper posted the largest losses among the major scrap categories on October 1.
#1 Copper Bare Bright, #1 Copper Wire and Tubing, #2 Copper Wire and Tubing and #3 Copper-Light Copper each declined 6¢/lb.
The weakness extended into insulated wire, although the moves were smaller. #1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery and #2 Insulated Copper Wire 50% Recovery each fell 1¢/lb.
Copper Radiator Scrap declined 2¢/lb, while Harness Wire 35% Recovery and Romex Wire each slipped 1¢/lb.
Alternator Scrap, Copper Transformer Scrap, Cu Yokes, Cu/Al Radiator Ends, Cu/Al Radiators and Cu/Al Radiators/Fe were unchanged.
Heater Cores, Scrap Electric Motors, Starters and Sealed Units also recorded no day-over-day movement.
COPPER BENCHMARK CHECK
The physical scrap move came during a weak week for the broader copper market. ScrapMonster's October 1 benchmark report put COMEX copper futures at $6.5828/lb, down about 3.05% from the prior week, while the LME 3-month copper contract closed at $14,243.50/MT. The comparison is directional rather than one-for-one because exchange futures and physical scrap represent different markets.
Aluminum Scrap Prices
Aluminum declined across most of the listed benchmark grades.
1100 Scrap, 3003 Scrap, 356 Aluminum Wheels, 6061 Extrusions, 6063 Extrusions and 6063 Extrusions/Fe each fell 1¢/lb.
5052 Scrap and E.C. Aluminum Wire recorded the largest aluminum moves, each declining 2¢/lb.
Chrome Wheels, Litho Sheets, MLC Clips, Old Sheet, Old Cast, Painted Siding, UBC and Zorba 90% NF each lost 1¢/lb.
Several aluminum categories avoided the decline. Al/Cu Radiators, Al/Cu Radiators/Fe, Aluminum Radiators, Aluminum Radiators/Fe, Aluminum Transformers, Breakage 50% Recovery and Mixed Aluminum Turnings were unchanged.
ALUMINUM BENCHMARK CHECK
The broader aluminum market was also weaker during the reporting week. ScrapMonster's October 1 benchmark report placed aluminum futures at $3,120.15/MT, down 4.17% from the previous week, while the LME 3-month aluminum contract closed at $3,123.00/MT.
Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices
Brass and bronze resumed their decline after holding steady during the September 30 session.
70/30 Brass Scrap, 80/20 Brass Scrap, 85/15 Brass Scrap and Brass Radiator each fell 1¢/lb.
Red Brass, Rod Borings and Yellow Brass also declined 1¢/lb.
Brass Radiator/Fe and Brass Radiator Ends were unchanged from the previous session.
Stainless Steel Scrap Prices
Stainless steel remained stable following earlier weakness during the week.
201 SS, 301 SS, 304 SS Solid, 304 SS Turning and 309 SS were unchanged.
310 SS, 330 SS and 316 SS Solid also recorded no day-over-day variation.
The flat October 1 reading marked a second consecutive session without movement across the listed stainless grades.
Steel Scrap Prices
Steel scrap again remained unchanged across the listed North American benchmarks.
#1 Bundle, #1 Busheling and #1 HMS all held steady.
HMS 80/20, Sheet Metal, Shredded Auto Scrap and Structural Steel also recorded no variation.
Steel therefore remained the most stable major scrap category through the final sessions of the reporting week.
Market Read
October opened with renewed pressure across North American non-ferrous scrap markets.
Copper provided the strongest downside signal. Major clean grades fell 6¢/lb, accelerating from the much smaller 2¢/lb declines recorded a day earlier.
Aluminum remained broadly weaker, with the largest declines concentrated in 5052 Scrap and E.C. Aluminum Wire. Brass also turned lower again after a flat September 30 session.
Steel and stainless steel provided the counterweight. Both categories remained unchanged across all listed benchmark grades.
The October 1 session therefore closed the week with a clear split: non-ferrous weakness remained concentrated in copper, aluminum and brass, while ferrous and stainless benchmarks held steady.
Benchmark buying-price move • Exact live price levels are available to ScrapMonster Premium members. Local quotes vary by grade and location.
