Scrap Copper Prices Today: Copper, Aluminum & Brass in Miami 2026
Scrap copper prices today in Miami range from $1.58 to $3.70 per pound depending on grade. Bare bright copper — stripped, uncoated wire 16 gauge or thicker — sits at the top of that range. Lower-grade material can fall well below $1.00/lb. If your shop or facility generates metal waste regularly, the grade you bring to the yard determines the check you walk out with.
Aluminum and brass move on a different curve. Aluminum scrap in Miami ranges from $0.10/lb for cast material to $1.70/lb for Al/Cu radiators, while brass averages $1.59/lb with red brass reaching up to $2.22/lb. These are not fixed numbers. Both metals respond daily to international commodity markets and local South Florida demand.
How Scrap Prices Are Set In The First Place?
LME and COMEX
Two exchanges set the foundation for every non-ferrous metal transaction in the United States. COMEX quotes copper in U.S. cents per pound — a price of 450.00 equals $4.50/lb — while the London Metal Exchange references copper in U.S. dollars per metric tonne. To convert LME pricing to per-pound terms, divide the per-tonne figure by 2,204.62.
The LME copper spot price closed at $11,750 per metric tonne on March 20, 2026 — roughly $5.33/lb for primary copper. Scrap never reaches that level. Yards buy it at a discount to spot based on purity and contamination.
Bare bright copper wire, the highest grade of scrap, typically fetches 90–95% of the COMEX spot price. Number 1 copper — clean, unsoldered pipe and tubing — trades at 85–92% of spot. That percentage gap translates into real dollars fast. On a 1,000-pound load, the difference between bare bright and #1 copper can run $300–$500. On #2 copper, the gap widens further.
Supply disruptions continue pushing copper higher in 2026, with LME futures trading above $11,400 per tonne and production growth estimates cut from 2.8% to 2.2%. For sellers, a tighter supply environment means the market supports stronger prices — but only if you show up with clean, well-sorted material.
What Is Scrap Copper Worth Per Pound in Miami Right Now?
The average price for copper scrap in Miami is currently $1.58/lb, with bright/shiny copper reaching $3.70/lb at the city’s scrap yards. That spread reflects the full range of grades accepted — from stripped bare bright wire down to mixed, contaminated scrap. Where your material lands on that spectrum depends entirely on preparation.
The gap between #1 and #2 copper is one of the most underestimated differences in the industry. Number 1 copper is clean pipe, tubing, or bus bar — no paint, no solder, no fittings. Number 2 includes soldered joints, light coatings, or mixed copper with some alloy. Insulated copper wire is valued based on its estimated copper recovery percentage, which ranges from 30–85% depending on insulation thickness and wire type. A contractor who strips wire before selling typically collects 40–60% more per pound than one who drops off insulated cable.
The table below shows current reference ranges for the metals most commonly sold at South Florida scrap yards:
| Metal / Grade | Price Range (USD/lb) |
| Bare bright copper | $3.50 – $3.70 |
| #1 Copper (clean) | $2.80 – $3.35 |
| #2 Copper (with impurities) | $2.20 – $2.70 |
| Red brass | $1.80 – $2.22 |
| Yellow brass | $0.90 – $1.50 |
| 6063 aluminum extrusion | $0.50 – $0.85 |
| Cast aluminum | $0.10 – $0.35 |
| Stainless steel (304) | $0.20 – $0.45 |
Sources: ScrapMonster Miami & Florida, March 2026. Prices fluctuate daily. Contact our team for a current quote.
What Drives Aluminum and Brass Scrap Prices?
Aluminum doesn’t just track copper — it responds to its own set of pressures. Aluminum recently hit a three-year high near $2,900 per metric tonne, driven by production caps, tightening environmental standards, and a shift in China’s trade position. For industrial sellers in Miami, that means firmer prices across Al/Cu radiators, 6063 extrusions, and clean sheet material.
Brass follows copper’s direction because it is a copper-zinc alloy. When copper rises, brass follows — but with less force, since brass contains between 60% and 90% copper depending on the grade. Red brass, which carries the highest copper content, consistently commands a premium over yellow brass. Mixing grades before you sell is money left on the table.
North American scrap prices track international exchanges like LME and COMEX, but regional differentials exist due to transportation costs, local supply-demand imbalances, and market conditions specific to each city. South Florida adds its own layer: active construction, a dense manufacturing base, and proximity to major ports generate steady non-ferrous demand that keeps local prices competitive with national averages.
How We Can Get the Best Price When Selling Scrap Brass in Miami?
Preparation does more for your payout than shopping around. Yards quote by grade and weight — bring a mixed, unsorted load and the buyer prices the whole thing at the lowest grade present. Sort before you show up, and you recover the spread.
Three steps move the needle every time. First, separate your metals: bare bright from #1 copper, red brass from yellow brass, clean aluminum from irony aluminum. Second, check the COMEX spot price the morning you plan to sell — it gives you a live reference point for negotiation. Third, if your shop generates scrap consistently, ask about industrial account pricing. Contract accounts operate on different terms than single-trip transactions, and the difference in rates reflects that.
Long-term structural drivers — decarbonization, electrification, and the global energy transition — will continue generating upward pressure on copper and aluminum prices through 2026 and beyond. Selling into a market with those fundamentals is an advantage. But it only pays if you know what your material is worth before you hand it over.
Time For Some Common Questions:
Every business day. COMEX and LME publish live data during market hours. Most scrap yards update their posted prices weekly, or more frequently when volatility is high.
Yes. Businesses that generate consistent volume negotiate contract pricing, which typically outperforms walk-in rates. If your operation produces scrap regularly, ask about industrial account terms.
Light surface oxidation has minimal impact. Internal contamination — solder, iron inserts, plastic fittings — drops the grade and lowers the price for the whole lot.
Local scrap prices in North America move with LME and COMEX benchmarks, adjusted for regional transportation costs and supply-demand conditions in the local market. When copper rises on international exchanges, Miami yards reflect that within days, sometimes hours.
Regulated and restricted materials may require check-only payment. Material quality determines what a recycling facility can accept. Items with lead paint, asbestos, or hazardous contamination require special handling — always confirm with the yard before transport.
