Scrap Metal Price Index Signals Strong Gains Across North America- January 5, 2026
Daily Scrap Metal Price Report | 2026-01-07 00:49:55
Old Sheet, Painted Siding, and Zorba 90% NF prices also recorded increase by $0.01 per Lb on the Index.
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TORONTO (Scrap Monster): As of Monday, January 5, 2026, North American scrap metal prices, including Copper, Aluminium, and Brass/Bronze, recorded a significant jump on the ScrapMonster Price Index. In contrast, Stainless Steel and Steel scrap prices were steady on the Index.
- Copper: Mostly up
- Aluminum: Broad market gains
- Brass/Bronze: Widespread increase
- Stainless Steel: Held steady
- Steel: Witnessed no change
Copper Scrap Prices
The price of Alternator scrap recorded an increase of $0.02 per Lb over 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 $0.30 per Lb.
The prices of #1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery and #2 Insulated Copper Wire 50% Recovery were up by $0.08 per Lb each on the Index.
Copper Radiator scrap prices recorded a jump of $0.05 per Lb.
Copper Transformer scrap prices edged higher by $0.12 per Lb on the Index.
Cu Yokes prices were up by $0.04 per Lb.
Cu/Al Radiator Ends prices were up by $0.01 per Lb on the Index.
Cu/Al Radiators and Cu/Al Radiators/Fe prices inched up by $0.10 as of January 5, 2026.
Harness Wire 35% Recovery and Romex Wire prices witnessed a jump of $0.08 per Lb and $0.03 per Lb respectively.
Heater Cores prices reported a rise of $0.06 per Lb on the Index.
The prices of Scrap Electric Motors, Starters, Sealed units, and Xmas Lights were up by $0.02 per Lb 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, 356 Aluminum Wheels and 6063 Extrusions/Fe also edged higher by $0.01 per Lb on the Index.
The prices of 6063 Extrusions inched up by $0.01 per Lb over the previous day.
Also, prices of 5052 Scrap and 6061 Extrusions recorded a jump of $0.01 per Lb each when compared with the prior day.
The prices of Al/Cu Radiators and Al/Cu Radiators/Fe surged higher by $0.10 per Lb.
Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Radiators/Fe prices were up by $0.01 per Lb on the Index.
Aluminum Transformers and Breakage 50% Recovery prices saw an increase of $0.01 per Lb each as of January 5, 2026.
E.C Aluminum Wire prices saw a marginal jump of $0.02 per Lb on the Index.
Chrome Wheels, Litho Sheets, and MLC Clips recorded an increase of $0.01 per Lb when compared with the previous day’s price levels.
Mixed Aluminum Turnings prices also increased by $0.01 per Lb on the Index.
The prices of Old Cast and UBC witnessed a jump of $0.01 per Lb each over the previous day.
Old Sheet, Painted Siding, and Zorba 90% NF prices also recorded increase 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 January 5, 2026.
Stainless Steel Scrap Prices
201 SS prices were flat on the Index.
301 SS, 304 SS Solid, 304 SS Turning and 309 SS witnessed no change in prices as of January 5, 2026.
310 SS prices posted no change from the previous day’s level.
330 SS prices were unmoved on the Index.
Also, 316 SS Solid prices maintained previous day’s price levels on the Index.
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 $0.10 per Lb
- 80/20 Brass Scrap: Increased by $0.10 per Lb
- 85/15 Brass Scrap: Saw a jump of $0.10 per Lb
- Brass Radiator: Edged higher by $0.10 per Lb
Brass Radiator /Fe and Brass Radiator Ends prices edged higher by $0.01 per Lb from the previous day's price levels as of January 5, 2026.
In the meantime, Red Brass, Red Borings and Yellow Brass prices were up by $0.10 per Lb on the Index.
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Are copper scrap prices expected to stay this high after January 5, 2026?
Market outlooks suggest that copper scrap prices will remain sensitive to refined copper futures, manufacturing demand, and scrap supply flows, so elevated levels may persist if tight supply and strong demand continue, but prices can still move sharply day to day.
Why are brass and bronze scrap prices moving with copper?
Brass and bronze are copper‑based alloys, so when refined copper and copper scrap rise, brass and bronze prices typically follow as foundries and machining customers compete for feedstock that is closely tied to copper’s value.
What is the difference between ScrapMonster price indexes and local scrap yard prices?
ScrapMonster indexes aggregate reported broker and yard buying prices to create benchmark levels, while local yards may adjust up or down based on their own costs, inventory positions, and customer mix, meaning walk‑in prices can diverge from benchmark averages.
How can I tell if my yard’s copper prices are fair compared to the market?
Comparing your ticket prices against ScrapMonster’s live copper scrap benchmarks and regional yard averages lets you see whether your yard is paying close to market levels or significantly below prevailing rates.
Do steel and stainless scrap usually move later than copper and aluminum?
Ferrous and stainless markets often follow different demand cycles and contract structures than nonferrous metals, so periods where copper, aluminum, and brass jump while steel and stainless stay flat can be followed by later adjustments on the ferrous side.
Where can I find historical scrap metal price charts for market analysis?
ScrapMonster hosts multi‑year charts for major scrap categories including copper, aluminum, brass, steel, stainless, and catalytic converters, allowing users to study long‑term trends and volatility.
Can I use ScrapMonster data to negotiate better contracts with mills or brokers?
While ScrapMonster does not provide individual contract advice, its benchmark prices and historical charts can support data‑driven discussions on spreads, surcharges, and volume terms with mills, brokers, and large buyers.
POLL
After today’s $0.30/LB jump in copper wire, what’s your next move?
Frequently Asked Questions
- What were the biggest scrap metal price moves on January 5, 2026 in North America?
The strongest moves were in copper wire and tubing, with #1 and #2 Copper Wire and Tubing, #1 Copper Bare Bright, and #3 Light Copper each up 0.30 dollars per pound, while key brass/bronze grades such as 70/30, 80/20, 85/15, brass radiators, red brass, and yellow brass rose by 0.10 dollars per pound.
- Why did copper scrap prices jump so much today?
The 0.30‑per‑pound increase in major copper wire and tubing grades reflects a mix of tighter scrap flows, strong refined copper benchmarks, and firm demand from construction and manufacturing buyers, which together forced buyers to pay more for clean, high‑grade copper units.
- Did aluminum scrap prices move the same way as copper?
Aluminum did not move as sharply as copper but recorded broad gains: common sheet and extrusion grades, wheels, radiators, and mixed aluminum categories mostly gained 0.01 to 0.02 dollars per pound, while Al/Cu radiator packages advanced by 0.10 dollars per pound.
- What happened to steel and stainless steel scrap prices today?
Major steel scrap grades including #1 Bundle, #1 Busheling, #1 HMS, HMS 80/20, shredded auto scrap, structural steel, and sheet metal, along with key stainless grades such as 201, 301, 304, 309, 310, 316, and 330, all remained flat on the ScrapMonster Price Index as of January 5, 2026.
- How can scrappers and small yards use this kind of daily report to make more money?
Scrappers and smaller yards can use the daily report to time sales of high‑grade nonferrous—especially clean copper wire, bare bright, and well‑sorted brass—on strong days like this, while holding or negotiating harder on materials in flat categories such as steel and stainless where spreads may improve later.
- Are these prices the same as what local scrap yards will pay?
ScrapMonster’s prices represent broker buying averages and benchmark levels across the market, while individual yard tickets can differ based on region, volume, material quality, and yard overhead, so actual offers may be higher or lower than the Index.
- Where can I see today’s full list of North American scrap metal prices?
The complete North American price tables, including copper, aluminum, brass/bronze, stainless, steel, and more, are available on ScrapMonster’s live scrap prices page, with additional breakdowns by country and region.
- How often does ScrapMonster update its scrap metal price data?
ScrapMonster collects pricing data daily from brokers, yards, and contributors across multiple regions and maintains historical charts that track more than 10 years of scrap price movements.
- Does ScrapMonster also provide live scrap prices for Europe, China, and India?
Yes, ScrapMonster lists live scrap metal prices and historical data for the United States, Canada, Europe, China, India, and other global markets on its country and regional price pages.
- How do I subscribe to ScrapMonster Live Scrap Prices and historical charts?
You can subscribe or upgrade to ScrapMonster’s live pricing services through the pricing and membership options on ScrapMonster.com, which unlock full access to current prices, regional benchmarks, and long‑term charts.
