Scrap Metal Prices in Toronto – July 2025 Update
Why It Matters
Toronto, a major hub of construction, manufacturing, and electronics recycling, sees strong activity in Scrap Metal Prices Toronto transactions. Local scrap yards compete for materials, and staying informed of current prices per pound (or per tonne) helps sellers get the best return.
🔍 Overview of Current Prices
Copper
Copper remains the highest‑value common scrap metal in Toronto:
- Bare Bright Copper Wire (#1): about CAD 5.00/lb ScrapMonster+12scrapolonia.com+12currentscrapmetalpricescanada.com+12currentscrapmetalpricescanada.com+3currentscrapmetalpricescanada.com+3Scrap Metal Prices – USA+3
- #1 Copper Tubing / Flashing: approx CAD 3.80–4.00/lb iScrap App+3Scrap Metal Prices – USA+3currentscrapmetalpricescanada.com+3
- #2 Copper (tubing, mix): around CAD 3.60/lb Scrap Metal Prices – USAmetalrecap.com
- Insulated Copper Wire: between CAD 2.75 and CAD 3.00/lb depending on purity scrapmetalpricer.ca+14schmidtsautorecycling.ca+14currentscrapmetalpricescanada.com+14
Brass
Typical brass prices include:
- Red and Yellow Brass: in the CAD 2.70–3.20/lb range currentscrapmetalpricescanada.com+10Scrap Metal Prices – USA+10iScrap App+10
- Clean brass radiators, hair wire, rods: often CAD 2.30–2.90/lb depending on subtype schmidtsautorecycling.ca+3Scrap Metal Prices – USA+3iScrap App+3
Aluminum
Common aluminum scrap fetches moderate rates:
- Clean aluminum (e.g. cans, extrusions): roughly CAD 1.10–1.20/lb currentscrapmetalpricescanada.com+14scrapolonia.com+14currentscrapmetalpricescanada.com+14
- Dirty aluminum or mixed turnings: CAD 0.20–0.50/lb scrapolonia.commetalrecap.comschmidtsautorecycling.ca
Stainless Steel & Steel
Prices for steel and stainless vary by grade:
- Standard Heavy Melting Steel (HMS): around CAD 0.10–0.15/lb schmidtsautorecycling.ca+6Scrap Metal Prices – USA+6currentscrapmetalpricescanada.com+6currentscrapmetalpricescanada.com+2schmidtsautorecycling.ca+2iScrap App+2
- Structural or shredded steel: about CAD 0.12–0.18/lb metalrecap.comschmidtsautorecycling.ca
- Stainless steel: varies by alloy, typically CAD 0.30–0.60/lb (e.g. 304 alloy ~CAD 0.33/lb average) metalrecap.comScrap Metal Prices – USA
Lead & Batteries
- Lead (solid): approximately CAD 0.70–0.80/lb currentscrapmetalpricescanada.com+1currentscrapmetalpricescanada.com+1
- Lead‑acid batteries (automotive): about CAD 0.18–0.35/lb, depending on cleanup and yard mcsm.ca+8metalrecap.com+8currentscrapmetalpricescanada.com+8
Other Metals & E‑Waste
- Copper‑tin bus bar, copper tubing radiators: up to CAD 3.50–3.90/lb currentscrapmetalpricescanada.com+6metalrecap.com+6currentscrapmetalpricescanada.com+6
- Electronic waste (computers, laptops, scrap boards): typically under CAD 0.40–0.70/lb currentscrapmetalpricescanada.com+7scrapolonia.com+7currentscrapmetalpricescanada.com+7
Pricing Table (CAD per pound)
| Metal / Category | Approx. Price |
| Bare Bright Copper Wire (#1) | ~ 5.00 |
| #1 Copper Tubing / Flashing | ~ 3.80–4.00 |
| #2 Copper (tubing, mixes) | ~ 3.60 |
| Insulated Copper Wire | ~ 2.75–3.00 |
| Yellow / Red Brass | ~ 2.70–3.20 |
| Brass Radiators or Hair Wire | ~ 2.30–2.90 |
| Clean Aluminum (cans, extrusions) | ~ 1.10–1.20 |
| Mixed/Dirty Aluminum | ~ 0.20–0.50 |
| HMS / Heavy Steel | ~ 0.10–0.15 |
| Structural or Shredded Steel | ~ 0.12–0.18 |
| Stainless Steel (e.g. 304 alloy) | ~ 0.30–0.60 |
| Solid Lead | ~ 0.70–0.80 |
| Lead‑Acid Batteries | ~ 0.18–0.35 |
| E‑Waste (desktops, laptops) | ~ 0.40–0.70 |
🧠 Factors Impacting Prices
- Global commodity markets: Prices are linked closely to international trends—especially for copper, aluminum, and steel
- Metal purity & condition: Clean, sorted metals (like #1 copper, or clean aluminum) fetch higher rates than contaminated or mixed scrap.
- Local competition: Greater scrap‑yard density in Toronto often leads to more competitive pricing—though some yards like Tal Metal don’t post prices online and offer custom quotes.
- Regulations & ID requirements: Ontario law mandates ID for all scrap metal transactions to curb theft—bring valid photo ID when selling scrap
Tips to Maximize Your Return
- Sort metals by type (e.g. copper separate from brass and aluminum).
- Strip insulation from copper wire where possible.
- Clean materials by removing contaminants—brass, aluminum, and copper fetch more when separated and clean.
- Request multiple quotes to compare rates, especially for bulk or unusual scrap.
- Understand fees: Some yards deduct processing or shredding costs, so ask whether weights are gross or net.
Where to Sell in Toronto
Multiple recycling centers and yards operate across the city:
- Tal Metal Inc., Combined Metal Industries, Triple M Metal, among others, are known to pay competitive rates in Toronto/GTA.
- Current Scrap Metal Prices Canada, ScrapMonster and ScrapMetalsPricer.ca list updated pricing and local buyer directories for city yards
Summary
- Copper remains the most profitable scrap, with bare bright wire near CAD 5.00/lb.
- Brass and high‑grade copper tubing also pay well (~CAD 2.70–3.20/lb), while steel and iron sell for far less (CAD 0.10–0.18/lb).
- Clean aluminum commands decent rates (~CAD 1.10–1.20/lb), though dirty or mixed metal is often under CAD 0.50/lb.
- Lead and batteries fetch modest returns but are valuable in bulk.
- Keep scrap clean, sorted, and bring proper ID—then compare quotes to get the best price.
Disclaimer: The prices above are based on publicly reported averages as of mid to late July 2025—they may vary slightly at specific yards or change daily. Always confirm rates with the scrap yard before unloading materials.