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Home » Scrap » Scrap Aluminum Price – Updated Information

Scrap Aluminum Price – Updated Information

As a metal recycler, the fluctuating scrap aluminium price is always on my mind. Recently, I’ve noticed a significant increase in the price of scrap aluminium, which has made it a more lucrative venture for me. I’ve been able to capitalize on this by keeping a close eye on market trends and making smart buying decisions.

Many people know that aluminum is a light, strong, ductile metal that has many important properties.

For starters, it conducts heat and electricity well. Aluminum can be cast or wrought into various shapes using either hot or cold rolling processes.

The price of aluminum scrap varies in relation to the type of metal and grade as well as location.

In addition, it is easy to recycle aluminum, so the scrap value of aluminum is dependent on the demand for recycled aluminum.

Popular products to be recycled for Aluminum

Aluminum is a lightweight, strong, and durable metal that is used in a wide variety of products, including:

  • Beverage cans: Aluminum is used to make the majority of soda, beer, and energy drink cans because it is lightweight, strong, and easy to recycle.
  • Food containers: Aluminum is used to make foil and some types of food packaging, such as takeout containers because it is impermeable to air and moisture.
  • Construction materials: Aluminum is used to make some building materials, such as roofing and siding, because it is durable and resistant to corrosion.
  • Automotive parts: Aluminum is used to make some automotive components, such as engine blocks and wheels, because it is strong and lightweight.

To recycle products made of aluminum, you will need to take them to a recycling center that specializes in metal recycling. These centers have the equipment and expertise to safely and efficiently recycle aluminum and other metals. It is important to check with your local recycling center to find out what types of aluminum they accept and how to properly prepare the materials for recycling.

How much is scrap Aluminum worth?

With many people seeking greener and more sustainable options, scrap Aluminum has become a significant metal that can be recycled into all sorts of products.

It is also used in manufacturing and as an ingredient in industrial products.

Scrap Aluminum made from these products can be sold to people who make use of the scrap metals each day or they can be recycled back into usable manufactured aluminum.

Overall, aluminum is a useful and valuable product that is easy to recycle and extremely durable.

The price of aluminum scrap is generally higher in larger cities and areas where the demand for aluminum is greater.

As a recyclable and reusable metal, scrap Aluminum can be sold at a substantial markup above typical prices.

Furthermore, the price of scrap aluminum can vary based on the type.

The most common types of scrap aluminum are sheet, plate and billet.

Sheet is a thin metal that is used for foil and containers, while plate is thicker and used for roofing and siding.

Billet is typically the largest scrap Aluminum item made from aluminum, often taken from machinery or vehicles.

And while they’re subject to change, these are the prices of various types of scrap Aluminum.

Product Scrap Prices
Aluminum Cans $0.25 – $0.43 per lb.
Aluminum Siding $0.25 – $0.40 per lb.
Aluminum Radiators $0.25 – $0.30 per lb.
Aluminum Rims $0.25 – $0.58 per lb.
Aluminum Breakage $0.04 – $0.25 per lb.

What materials are recycled?

Any type of scrap aluminum can be recycled into a variety of products.

Commonly, there are two basic types of Aluminum:

  • Recycled or reclaimed Aluminum is recycled aluminum that has been cleaned, melted and re-melted at high temperatures to remove the nonmetal parts. It is then collected and sold in pellets, ingots or by the ton. Recycled Aluminum is often used for its properties such as strength and conductivity and can be compared to a reclaimed steel bar used in homes.
  • Another type of aluminum is hot rolled. Hot-rolled Aluminum is also created through recycling and is used to make aluminum sheets, plates and bars with a thickness of over half an inch. It can be recycled from products such as beverage cans, automobiles, construction machinery, roofing and more.

Recycled Aluminum can be made from aluminum cans through melting them down to the pure metal form, which is then placed in a mold for re-manufacturing into new products.

It is commonly used in packaging and can be melted down to smaller sizes depending on the application.

How to repurpose scrap Aluminum

Scrap Aluminum can be used in a variety of different ways from constructing a car, to manufacturing an aeroplane.

Aluminum is a strong and lightweight metal with over 50% of the world’s supply being built into vehicles or other machinery.

When it comes to reusing scrap Aluminum, this metal is the most commonly recycled product in the United States.

In 2013 alone, the recycling rate of aluminum was 82% and has increased by 14% since 2008.

Recycled Aluminum is also the fastest-growing material for metal recycling.

Scrap Aluminum can be recycled and repurposed into a variety of different objects and products, including cans, cars and building materials.

Here is how scrap Aluminum is commonly repurposed;

Manufacturing

Aluminum is often used in manufacturing and can be recycled from products such as beverage cans, automobiles, construction machinery and more.

Overall, the process of recycling aluminum is very similar to the process of recycling any other metal.

First, the scrap Aluminum is sorted into types and grades.

Next, the non-metal parts are separated from the metal parts using magnets, flotation or water-separating methods.

Finally, it can be melted down before being sold to manufacturers who will use it to make new products.

Construction

Many of the bridges and buildings that are made out of Aluminum are also made from scrap aluminum.

Aluminum is used in bridge parts and other construction materials because of its strength, lightweight, and low cost.

Transportation

Vehicles and buses that are made from Aluminum often contain scrap aluminum parts.

The scrap Aluminum is used for various purposes including making auto parts, fuel tanks, and car doors.

The cars themselves are often made from multiple materials such as steel, plastic, aluminum and other metals.

The main component of cars is almost always light metals (Aluminum).

The same goes to aircrafts, and ships.

Final Thoughts

Scrap Aluminum is a useful and valuable metal that can be recycled into products.

This metal is often used in manufacturing, construction and transportation because of its strength and lightweight.

It is also very easy to recycle, which makes it an important product for the environment.

FAQs

What is the melting point of Aluminum?

The melting point for aluminum is 1,220 degrees Celsius, which is lower than steel or iron.

Is Aluminum magnetic?

Under normal circumstances, it’s not due to its composition, but it is possible to magnetize Aluminum by heating the metal.

Is Aluminum a metal?

Aluminum belongs to the III-V family of elements and is considered a metal.

It is malleable, ductile and lightweight compared to other metals such as steel or iron.

Author

  • Jen Wheeler

    Jen Wheeler, co-founder of Recycling-Revolution.com, holds degrees from UC Berkeley, Yale, and Stanford. A renowned environmentalist, she's championed sustainable practices at global events and leads EcoBright Solutions, focusing on recycling education and eco-friendly products.

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