London Scrap Metal Prices [2024 Updated]

Understanding the scrap metal prices in London is crucial to give an accurate estimate as to the value of your metal haul before driving to your local dealership. Scrap metal prices are broadly similar from city to city in the UK, however, each different pence per KG can make a big difference to the value of your scrap metal when you sell it.

We find that there are two key variables that influence scrap metal prices:

  1. Weight of Scrap Metal
  2. Location

Therefore, we have compiled the latest scrap metal prices in London for you to make an informed decision on which scrap metal to source and sell. Generally, the most common scrap metal to recycle and sell is Aluminium, Copper, Brass, Steel, Iron, Lead, Batteries, Catalytic Converters, which we have included the prices for below.

The scrap metal prices in London are priced from a variety of different sources, submissions from scrap metal sellers like yourselves, and from local scrap metal dealers we have contact with. Therefore, the prices of scrap metal in London may differ in each dealership, but our valuations are averaged out to provide the most accurate general prices for you. As ever, it is also worth taking a look at the LME prices, which will give you an indication of market movements in the general metal prices you will get in London.

Current Scrap Metal Prices in London

Although London is not a major manufacturing hub, its status as one of the world’s most famous capital cities cements it as a great place to trade scrap metal. Construction costs in the UK are high, helping drive up the cost of scrap metals, and the East End of London is where many dealerships are located.

You’ll tend to find that London scrap metal prices are above the UK average, with dealers accepting a wide range of sources. Ongoing infrastructure spending in London also ensures that there is no shortage of demand, with payments typically made instantly or same-day, and collection being available from skips. You might even find that there will also be demand for some more obscure forms of metal, such as zinc. As we all know, increased scrap metal demand means higher scrap metal prices in London.

Locations in London where we see scrap metal demand are: Enfield, Barnet, Haringey, Southwark, Wembley and much of East London.

Prices last updated 9th January, 2024

Metal
Price per Kilo
Bare Bright Copper
£4.26 - £4.71
Copper 1
£3.87 - £4.27
Copper 2
£3.68 - £4.07
Copper Tanks
£3.61 - £3.99
Braziery Copper
£3.13 - £3.46
Insulated Wire 1
£1.73 - £1.91
Insulated Wire 2
£1.30 - £1.44
Aluminium Extruded
£0.89 - £0.98
Aluminium Cast
£0.53 - £0.59
Aluminium Turnings
£0.22 - £0.24
Clean Brass
£2.53 - £2.80
Mixed Brass
£2.12 - £2.35
Stainless Steel 3/6
£0.89 - £0.98
Stainless Steel 18/8
£0.64 - £0.71
Lead
£1.08 - £1.19
PB Battery
£0.45 - £0.50
Electric Motors
£0.28 - £0.31
White Goods
£0.14 - £0.16

Scrap Metal Dealerships in London

Some of the largest dealerships in London, where you’ll get the best scrap metal prices are:

  • London Scrap Metal Recycling
    • LSMR pays some of the highest prices in London, for a wide range of the metals we have priced below: Copper, Lead, Aluminium, Stainless Steel, Iron, Brass
    • Payments made within 2 hours
    • Located in Haringey
  • Transmetal
    • Transmetal covers a wide variety of waste collection, working 7 days a week and typically offering collection on the same day
    • They collect all ferrous materials and offer some of the strongest scrap metal prices in London
    • Located in Southgate
  • Islington Metal
    • Islington Metal offers scrap metal collection, and is able to offer stronger prices due to in-house separating equipment: material separators, hydraulic shearing, material processing equipment
    • If you are a commercial organisation with consistent scrap metal supply, then Islington Metal offers programs to secure ongoing income
    • As the name suggests, located in Islington
  • Southwark Metals
    • Southwark Materials is one of the companies in London which offers the widest range of metal collection, including a variety of both ferrous and non-ferrous metals
    • As the name suggests, located in Islington
  • Powerday
    • Focused more on Copper, Steel, Aluminium and Iron, Powerday are one of the main recylcers in Southern England, not just London, and so can take on large quantities of scrap metal
    • Also focused on the environmental aspect to recycling scrap metal, separating metal in their own facilities

What is Scrap Metal?

Scrap metal describes metal products that are no longer needed, which are capable of being recycled. These metal products vary in quality and material, which impacts the supply and demand of the metal products, in turn impacting the price.

It's important to know the worth of scrap metal, as many do not, and regularly throw their computers, wiring, piping, cars, cans, without realising their potential lost gains. The most common forms of scrap metal are Aluminium, Copper, Lead, Iron, Catalytic Converters, Batteries. To dig deeper into the types of scrap metal:

 

Aluminium can be of three different types:

a. Extruded Aluminium

  • - Aluminium extrusion is exactly what the name tells you – it is a form of aluminium which has been extruded/pushed through a mold into a shape
  • It is important to note that the scrap metal price for extruded aluminium is not fixed, as it will depend on the grade of aluminium that it is (5000, 6061, 6063 series)
  • Extruded aluminium forms the market for c.50% of total extruded metal products and so is considerably used.

b. Cast Aluminium

  • Again, these are generally found in molds, but differ in that the aluminium is poured in as molten aluminium
  • This might be seen in outdoor furniture, car parts which are clean, cast grills

c. Aluminium Turnings

  • These are a lower quality form of Aluminium, which are shavings of aluminium which are produced in the manufacturing process
  • Although they do tend to be of a lower quality, there are still variations and so it is important to get a scrap metal price from your local dealer

 


Copper is commonly split into:

a. Bare Bright Copper

  • This is the most expensive form of copper
  • ‘Bare bright’ refers to the metal being uncoated or unalloyed
  • It is always referring to wire or cable, which must be a minimum of a 1/16 inch in diameter
  • This is the highest quality form of copper and so it is copper #1

b. Copper #1

  • This is of the same quality as bare bright copper, and it is also unalloyed and uncoated (also including trace oxidation)
  • However, it also includes copper piping, clippings, bus bars as well as wire

c. Copper #2

  • This is copper which is unalloyed, but can be coated (paint or any other coating other than insulation)
  • 94-96% purity of copper

d. Copper Tanks

  • Copper tankers are essentially boilers, made of copper
  • These are typically the older forms of boilers, and have a pretty sizeable weight of 30kg+, thus making them pretty quick earners. A highly valuable piece to source and sell

e. Braziery Copper

  • This is one of the lowest quality forms of Copper, and can be soldered or painted
  • 95% purity of copper, without any Iron

f. Copper Insulated Wire #1

  • This is Copper wire that is unalloyed, uncoated, and would be Copper #1 without insulation
  • Must be a thickness gauge of +16

g. Copper Insulated Wire #2

  • This is Copper wire that is unalloyed, and would be Copper #2 without insulation
  • Usually, a thickness gauge of -16
  • This wire is typically seen in standard electronic wiring in residential homes

 

Brass can be either

a. Clean Brass

  • Clean brass does not include any other metals or plastics, and so is as the name describes: pure brass
  • However, do not fret: the brass can include certain small %’s of metals as long as they are trace
  • This will greatly determine the value of your brass, and will be determined by your local dealership

b. Mixed Brass

  • Mixed brass is brass containing other metals, glass or plastics

 

Stainless steel is:

a. Stainless Steel 316

  • 316 stainless steel is a highly strong and durable stainless steel material, which is austenitic Chromium and Nickel stainless steel
  • This is similar to the 18/8 stainless steel, but differs in that there is 16% chromium, 10% Nickel and 2% Molybdenum: thus 2% of Molybdenum replaces 2% of the Chromium
  • You’ll normally find this type of metal in food processing machinery, boats, and scientific uses as it is non-reactive to water/moisture

b. Stainless Steel 18/8

  • 18-8 is a grade of stainless steel. The 18 refers to Chromium and the 8 refers to Nickel, so that there is 18% Chromium and 8% Nickel

 

Some miscellaneous scrap metals to consider:

a. Lead

  • Lead has a decent scrap metal value, as it is utilised for a wide variety of applications
  • Lead is still commonly used in construction, plumbing, ammunition
  • Be extra careful! Lead poisoning is a real thing, and so handle lead with care

b. PB Battery

c. Electric Motors

  • Electric motors will be found widely, but most commonly will be seen in washing machines and alternators
  • The prices do vary substantially though based on the metals used to form the electric motor. Whilst they are usually copper, they can also be aluminium

d. White Goods

 

It does not matter the source of these metals, as long as they have been legally acquired, meaning they can be either residentially or commercially sourced. In order to ensure that metals have been legally acquired, the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 was introduced. For sellers, this means that they can no longer sell scrap metal for cash as transactions could not be tracked effectively. Therefore, all sales of scrap metal must be made by bank transfer or by cheque.

See also: Scrap Metal Prices in the US