What Wilmington Scrap Yards Are Paying—Right Now
A peek at the iScrap app shows Wilmington’s going rates for non-ferrous metals:
- Light Copper: $3.25 /lb (down ~19%)
- #2 Copper Tubing: $2.85 /lb (down ~6%)
- #1 Bare Bright Copper Wire: $3.50 /lb (down ~7%)
That tracks with broader North Carolina trends: aluminium scrap ranges from as little as $0.03 to as high as $3.00 /lb for clean wheel rims, and brass rates vary accordingly.
Meanwhile, locally cemented players like Southern Metals Recycling and Foss Recycling in Wilmington don't post rates online—but they’re big enough to beat your driveway scale and offer services from demolition to battery recycling.
Quick View: Current Wilmington Scrap Metal Rates
| Material | Approximate Rate (Wilmington, NC) |
|---|---|
| Light Copper | $3.25 /lb |
| #2 Copper Tubing | $2.85 /lb |
| #1 Bare Bright Copper Wire | $3.50 /lb |
| Aluminium (Clean Rims) | Up to $3.00 /lb (statewide) |
| Aluminium (Shavings) | As low as $0.03 /lb (statewide) |
| Brass | Varies (statewide estimates) |
Rates reflect current listings and general NC trends. Always check with local yards for real-time quotes.
Why Prices Look the Way They Do
Copper has always been the flashy rock star in the scrap world—high demand in wiring, construction, and industrial use pulls rates up. Aluminium rims (clean and uncontaminated) can also fetch premium prices, while contaminated metal or bulky steel get the financial cold shoulder. Supply chain dynamics, yard competition, and market volume all contribute to this price dance.
ScrapTrade: The Power Move for Wilmington Sellers
Think of ScrapTrade not as a fancy digital billboard, but as the multiverse of scrap trading—where buyers compete, pickup is often arranged, and escrow makes sure your money lands securely after delivery. Benefits include:
- Viewing live, competitive offers—not being stuck with the only yard nearby.
- Pickup logistics for bulk or inconvenient loads.
- Security, frenemy-proofed: you get paid only after delivery is confirmed.
- Access beyond Wilmington: maybe your aluminium's hot in another region.
You’re not just accepting a price—you’re orchestrating a better outcome.
Sell Smarter in Wilmington
Here’s how to make your scrap pile smarter:
- Check your local rates—like those iScrap listings for copper—but take them as starting points.
- List on ScrapTrade to compare offers and streamline logistics.
- Prep your scrap (clean, sorted, graded) to elevate your price ambition.
- Choose—pickup or drop-off—and let technology and markets do the heavy lifting.