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:
- Live Pricing Across Metals – No stale quotes—just the freshest market data for copper, steel, aluminium, and more.
- Multiple Verified Buyers – Real competition means better prices for your loads.
- Escrow-Backed Safety – Your payment waits securely until delivery is confirmed.
- 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.