23 Jun Chicago Scrap Metal Prices – Week of June 22, 2026
Copper is still the bright spot in the Chicago scrap market this week, holding near multi-year highs after a few months of back-and-forth. Aluminum has pulled back a bit on the higher grades, while steel continues to grind lower. Here is where things stand as of June 22, 2026.
Copper Prices in Chicago This Week
Bare bright copper is coming in around $5.15/lb this week, with #1 copper pipe and tubing right behind it at $4.95-$5.05/lb. #2 copper is running about $4.60-$4.85/lb. Those are strong numbers by any measure, and the market has stabilized after the volatility we saw earlier this spring tied to global uncertainty. The word from the trading desks is to sell now rather than wait, since nobody knows how long this level holds.
If you are bringing in stripped copper wire, that bare bright price is hard to beat right now. Contractors pulling copper pipe or homeowners with old copper plumbing will also do well this week. The spread between #1 and #2 is about $0.20-$0.25/lb, so if you can take a few minutes to clean your copper before you haul it in, it is worth it. Call us at (773) 345-8610 if you are unsure what grade your material is before you make the trip.
Aluminum Prices This Week
Aluminum has softened a little over the past few weeks, with higher-grade extrusion and sheet dropping $0.06-$0.10/lb from where they were in May. Cast aluminum and radiators have held up better. Overall, you are looking at roughly $0.55-$0.70/lb depending on grade and condition. The long-term picture for aluminum is still solid given demand from auto and manufacturing, but right now the market is giving back a bit of the gains from earlier in the year.
Steel and Iron Prices
Ferrous is the toughest category right now. Light iron and sheet steel are running in the $140-$175/net ton range in the Chicago area. High diesel costs are squeezing margins across the board, and a shredder fire on the East Coast has disrupted processing capacity in ways that ripple through regional pricing. The ferrous market is flat to down, and there is no clear catalyst to push it higher in the near term. These prices are set on a monthly basis, so expect this range to hold until late July barring any major market shifts.
What This Means for Chicago Scrappers
If you have copper sitting in the truck, this is a good week to bring it in. On the aluminum side, sort your grades before you come in since there is real money in separating clean extrusion from mixed or dirty material.
Bring your scrap to Central Metal Recycling at 5618 W. Fillmore St, Chicago. We are open Mon-Fri 7am-4pm and Saturday 7am-11am. Call (773) 345-8610 for today’s exact rates.
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