You've probably got a trash bag full of empty sodas and beers in the garage, and you're wondering if the trip to the scrapyard is even worth the gas money. It's a fair question. Honestly, the world of scrap metal is a lot more chaotic than most people realize. One day you’re getting a decent payout, and the next, it feels like they’re doing you a favor just by taking the stuff off your hands.
As of January 2026, the national average how much per lb for aluminum cans hovers around $0.51 to $0.65 per pound. But that’s just a baseline. If you're in a place like California, that number skyrockets because of state-mandated deposits. Elsewhere? It might be a struggle to hit fifty cents.
The reality is that your local scrap yard isn't just picking a number out of a hat. They are watching global commodity trackers like the London Metal Exchange (LME) and worrying about supply chain bottlenecks in China. It sounds crazy that a factory shutdown in Asia affects your bag of Pepsi cans in Ohio, but that’s exactly how the market works.
The Big Regional Price Gap
Location is basically everything. If you live in a "Bottle Bill" state, you aren't just selling scrap; you’re collecting a refund.
California is the heavyweight champion here. Between the California Redemption Value (CRV) and the actual scrap price, you can see rates as high as $1.65 to $1.80 per pound. That is a massive jump compared to a state like Florida, where you might only see $0.45 to $0.58 per pound.
Why the difference? In deposit states, you’ve already paid a "tax" on those cans when you bought them at the grocery store. You’re just getting your own money back. In "scrap-only" states, you are purely at the mercy of the current market price for "Used Beverage Cans" (UBC), which is the industry term for that sticky bag in your trunk.
Current 2026 Price Estimates by State
- Texas: $0.55 – $0.70 per lb
- New York: $1.50 – $1.60 per lb (Scrap + Deposit)
- Florida: $0.45 – $0.58 per lb
- Pennsylvania: $0.40 – $0.70 per lb (Huge city-by-city variation)
- Georgia: $0.50 – $0.65 per lb
If you're in a city like Pittsburgh or Houston, you'll generally find better rates. Urban yards have more competition. They have to play fair or you'll just drive two blocks down to the next guy. In rural areas, the yard might be the only game in town, and they have to pay for the fuel to truck that aluminum to a processing hub, which eats into your profit.
Why How Much Per Lb For Aluminum Cans Keeps Changing
Aluminum is currently trading near three-year highs on the global market, recently crossing the $3,000 per tonne mark. You’d think that would mean a windfall for you, but it doesn't always trickle down perfectly.
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China has been capping its production to fight pollution and overcapacity. When the world’s biggest producer slows down, supply gets tight. Then there are energy costs. Melting down bauxite to make "new" aluminum takes a ridiculous amount of electricity. Recycling old cans uses about 95% less energy. Because energy prices are high right now, manufacturers are desperate for your recycled cans. They'd much rather melt your old Sprite can than make a new one from scratch.
But here is the kicker: scrap yards have overhead. They have to pay for the baler, the forklift, the labor, and the insurance. If the price of aluminum drops even a few cents on the commodities market, the yard might drop their "buy" price significantly to protect their margins. They are the ones taking the risk of holding the inventory until they can sell it to a smelter.
How to Actually Get the Most Money
Don't just show up with a bag of wet, uncrushed cans and expect the red carpet treatment. There is a bit of strategy to this.
First, keep them clean. If your cans are filled with cigarette butts, sand, or half-finished soda, they weigh more. Scrapyard owners aren't dumb. They know "moisture" is a way people try to cheat the scale. If they see a lot of liquid, they might "down-grade" your load or just offer a flat, lower rate to compensate for the weight that isn't actually metal.
Second, know the "32 Can Rule." On average, it takes about 32 empty 12-ounce cans to make a pound. If you have a 13-gallon trash bag full, that’s roughly 1.5 to 2 pounds of aluminum. It’s not a fortune, but it adds up if you’re consistent.
Third, separate your metals. This is a rookie mistake. If you throw a couple of steel soup cans or a random brass pipe into your bag of aluminum cans, the yard might pay you the "mixed" rate. In January 2026, the mixed rate is often 20% to 40% lower than the pure aluminum can rate. Use a magnet. If it sticks, it’s not aluminum. Get it out of the bag.
Is It Worth It?
Let’s be real. Unless you are collecting cans on an industrial scale or living in a state with a high CRV, you aren't going to get rich doing this. If you spend $10 in gas to go get $12 worth of scrap, you've basically spent two hours of your life for a $2 profit.
However, for a lot of people, it’s about the habit. It’s "found money." If you're already headed toward the scrapyard with some old copper pipes or an old appliance, throwing the cans in the back is a no-brainer.
The market looks like it will stay "tight" through the rest of 2026. Supply strains in Europe and the push for "Green Aluminum" mean that demand for recycled material isn't going away. If you have the space to store them, waiting for a small price spike might net you an extra few dollars per bag.
Your Next Steps for Max Payout
- Call ahead. Prices change daily. A quick "What are you paying for UBC today?" saves you a wasted trip.
- Crush the cans. It doesn't change the weight, but it changes the volume. You can fit way more into a single trip, which saves you gas.
- Check for "Industrial" rates. If you have over 100 or 500 pounds, some yards will bump you up to a "tier 2" price that’s a few cents higher per pound.
- Watch the magnet. Ensure there is zero steel in your bag to avoid the "contaminated" price deduction.