An important source of income for extra cash. To be successful and receive a good price, you'll need to find out how the scrap aluminium price is calculated, which factors affect the price of scrap aluminium. In this guide, we will explain everything you need to know to increase the amount of money you can earn for scrap aluminium.
Looking to get the best scrap aluminium price in your area? At Fast Copper Scrap, we offer competitive rates for all aluminium types, including extrusions, sheets, and mixed scrap. With free pick-up, accurate digital weighing, and instant payments, recycling aluminium has never been easier or more rewarding.
Aluminium is one of the best metals to recycle as it is lightweight, has a wide range of uses and is in demand. The most common types of aluminium scrap include:
Aluminium cans – taken from household waste or commercial waste
Extrusions – from doors and window frames
Aluminium wheels and rims – from cars and equipment and machines
Sheet aluminium – from roofing, cladding or signage
Mixed aluminium – a combination of different aluminium types, found in various household items
If possible, separating your aluminium scrap into appropriate types will ensure you receive the most amount of money.
In Australia, prices for scrap aluminum are usually somewhere between $1.00 to $2.00 per kilogram, and will vary depending on the type of aluminum and quality. Prices will also vary slightly in different areas (for example Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane).
At Fast Copper Scrap, for example, prices are continuously updated and reflect current value accurately. Typically, Clean extrusion will get you more money than mixed or contamination scrap.
There are many factors that determine how much you will get when you are selling scrap aluminum:
1. Purity and cleanliness
Clean pure aluminum scrap is worth much more than contaminated or mixed loads which means the more you remove the plastic, paint screws or any non-metal material the more money you will get for scrap.
2. Type of aluminum
Different grades will get you different prices.
Extruded aluminium > aluminium sheet > mixed aluminium
3. Global markets
Aluminum is a global commodity; the price can fluctuate daily based on:
Supply and demand
International trade
Manufacturing production
4. Volume of scrap.
The more aluminum you have, the bigger the price per kilo. Usually, having a mass amount of scrap will get you a volume bonus from scrap buyers.
5. Location
Where you are situated may affect how much you receive. For example, scrap aluminum prices in Melbourne may be slightly different to scrap in Perth because of either logistics or demand in the local area.
To make sure you get the most, think about:
Local scrap metal yards - Call or visit around town.
Online pricing resources - Look at real-time tracking sites or recyclers' websites.
Reputable buyers, like Fast Copper Scrap - Known for paying great prices, weighing transparently, and easily picking up the scrap the same day they are in Melbourne.
Making sure you know the prices for clean or mixed/aluminum and whether you are getting pricing including GST or not.
Want more cash for your scrap metal? Check out these quick tips:
✅ Separate aluminium by type (clean extruded, clean sheet, cast etc)
✅ Remove contaminants (screws, paint, rubber etc.)
✅ Sell in bulk - the more scrap you take in, the better the rate
✅ Monitor prices online and sell when they peak
✅ Use a licensed recycler with accurate scales and fair pricing
Recycling aluminium is good for your wallet and the planet:
🔋 Uses 95% Less Energy than producing new aluminium
♻️ Reduces waste going to landfill
🌏 Helps promote the circular economy and sustainable manufacturing
Aluminium can be recycled indefinitely and has no loss of quality.
❌ Mixing aluminium with other metals (lowers the value)
❌ Dirty or incorrectly sorted scrap
❌ Selling to unlicensed recyclers that pay below market value
❌ Not paying attention to trends in the market when deciding to sell
Aluminium is a good product and it can fill your wallet with actual money given that it is correctly handled. When you realize what compels the scrap aluminium price, then you organize your materials well and then employ the services of honest buyers like Fast Copper Scrap, the more money you will be able to earn per kilo.