How to Get the Best Price for Scrap Metal in Canada
Key Takeaway
Sorting, cleaning, and knowing your grades — these are the three things that make the biggest difference to your payout.
Getting the most from your scrap metal starts before you leave home.
Sort your metals
Mixed loads pay mixed prices. If you can separate copper from brass, aluminium from steel, you'll get the right price for each grade rather than a blended low offer. Most people underestimate how much sorting matters.
Identify your grades
Copper especially has multiple grades that pay very differently. Bare bright copper can pay twice as much as insulated wire. Learn to spot the difference between No.1 copper pipe and corroded No.2. A few minutes of research before your visit pays off.
Clean your material
Remove plastic, rubber, and non-metal attachments. Dirty or mixed loads are penalised. A yard weighing your copper pipe with the brass fittings still on may call the whole load a lower grade.
Call ahead
Prices change. Call the yard or check their website the day before for current buying prices. Some yards are more competitive on specific metals — it pays to know.
Bring ID
Most Canadian scrap yards require government-issued ID. Some materials (like catalytic converters) have strict ID requirements due to theft concerns. Don't leave home without it.
Weigh it yourself
If you have a lot of material, consider weighing it at home on a bathroom scale before you go. Yards always win disputes because of their certified scales, but knowing your rough weight gives you a baseline.
Estimate your haul value before heading to the yard.
Hours, materials, and payment info for yards near you.
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