Scrap Metal Prices per Tonne — UK, 2024

1. Ferrous Metals (Iron & Steel)

According to Let’s Recycle, steel scrap prices in the UK followed a downward arc throughout 2024:

• No. 1 old steel scrap began the year in the £210–225/t range, falling to £140–210/t by December.
• Other grades such as 0A plate & girder, No. 2 old steel, and mixed steel cuttings showed similar declines.
  letsrecycle.com

2. Non-Ferrous Metals (Copper, Aluminium, Brass, Lead, etc.)

Monthly snapshots from Let’s Recycle offer solid insights:

• Dry bright copper wire ranged from £6,150/t in January, peaking around £7,000/t in May, and ending the year near £6,400/t.
• Heavy copper hovered between £5,600–6,500/t, depending on the month.
• No. 2 copper wire moved between £5,500–6,300/t over the year.
• Brass cuttings ranged £2,600–3,200/t, depending on the month.
• Lead scrap was around £1,250–1,350/t.
  letsrecycle.com

3. Contemporary Averages from Providers

Here’s what a current snapshot (early 2025) from Jarvis Metals shows, reinforcing overall 2024 tones:

• Bright copper wire: £6,800–7,000/t
• Aluminium (clean): £950–1,100/t
• Brass: £3,000–3,200/t
• Light iron (ferrous): £140–180/t
• Lead: £1,000–1,150/t
• Stainless steel (304/18-8): £800–1,000/t
  L. Jarvis & Sons Ltd

What It All Means

If your metal’s value feels like a kaleidoscope constantly shifting, you’re not imagining things. Here’s the gist:

• Steel (ferrous) cooled through the year—slumping demand from mills and exports pushed prices lower.
• Copper remained a heavyweight winner—mid-year peaks near £7,000/t, reflecting its industrial and green economy demand.
• Aluminium and brass held midsized value—quietly valuable, though less volatile than copper.
• Lead and stainless stayed steady, offering reliable returns for clean loads.

How ScrapTrade Makes You Smarter (and Richer)

Raw data is one thing; knowing what to do with it is the power move. ScrapTrade gives you:

1. Live Pricing Across Metals – No stale quotes—just the freshest market data for copper, steel, aluminium, and more.
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3. Escrow-Backed Safety – Your payment waits securely until delivery is confirmed.
4. Logistics Made Easy – Bulky or small, we handle collection and transport so you stay hands-free.

In a volatile market, remain calm. ScrapTrade turns shifting prices into calculated action.