Knowing the laws that govern the buying and selling of scrap metal in your region of operation, is one of the most important things when getting into this industry. But often it is also one of the most overlooked. We have helped many individuals and small business make the most out of scrap metal and the first thing that we always start with, is understanding what is legally required of you and what information you need to be comfortable sharing. Each state is different and it is important to be aware that the laws in each state vary drastically.
We have been through the legislation for the sale of scrap metal in Washington state and summarized it, so that you will know everything you need to before heading to the scrap yard.
First, like every other state in the US you must provide a valid driver's license to sell scrap in Washington. This will be kept on record along with the a description of all the material and the vehicle that you arrived in. This includes the license plate. An extra step, that is not very common, is the need to give fingerprints. Scrap yards in Washington must take the fingerprints of anyone selling scrap metal. The final thing to keep in mind is that all payments will be made by check at least ten days after the transaction. This check is not transferable.
Now that you understand the basic laws for selling scrap metal in Washington let's take a look at some of the best scrap yards. Starting with Washington's largest city, Seattle, we have done the research and found that our favorite scrap yards are: Pacific Iron & Metal and West Seattle Recycling. Next we looked at Spokane. Our research showed the best scrap yards to be: Dickson Iron & Metal and AA Auto Salvage.
Below is a list of cities in Washington for which we have looked up the latest scrap metal prices and the best scrap yards.
If you operate in a different part of Washington state and or want to know prices in bordering states, check out up-to-date scrap metal prices in Idaho or Oregon.
Metal | Price Per Pound |
---|---|
Aluminum | $1.29 |
Aluminum Alloy | $1.14 |
Copper | $4.58 |
Brass | $3.55 |
Lead | $1.05 |
Nickel | $7.99 |
Tin | $14.65 |
Zinc | $1.55 |
Last Updated On 2024-12-09
Metal | Price Per Pound |
---|---|
Aluminum 1100 | $0.89 |
Aluminum 3003 | $0.89 |
Aluminum 356 Wheels (clean) | $0.89 |
Aluminum 356 Wheels (dirty) | $0.63 |
Aluminum 5052 Scrap | $1.20 |
Aluminum 6061 Extrusions | $0.79 |
Aluminum 6063 Extrusions | $1.05 |
Aluminum 6063 Extrusions/Fe | $0.76 |
Aluminum/Cu Radiators | $2.09 |
Aluminum/Cu/Fe Radiators | $1.94 |
Aluminum Radiators | $0.50 |
Aluminum/Fe Radiators | $0.37 |
Transformers | $0.22 |
Breakage 50% Recovery | $0.28 |
Chrome Wheels | $0.84 |
E.C. Wire | $1.38 |
Litho Sheets | $0.89 |
Mixed Turnings | $0.52 |
MLC Clips | $0.88 |
Aluminum Old Cast | $0.85 |
Aluminum Old Sheet | $0.84 |
Painted Siding | $0.83 |
UBC | $0.88 |
Zorba 90% NF | $0.84 |
Aluminum Cans (clean) | $0.65 |
Aluminum Cans (dirty) | $0.32 |
Metal | Price Per Pound |
---|---|
Red Brass | $2.41 |
Yellow Brass | $2.27 |
Brass Rod | $2.22 |
Brass Hair Wire | $2.38 |
Brass Pipe | $2.16 |
Brass Radiators | $1.84 |
Brass Shells | $2.04 |
Brass Turnings | $2.09 |
Bronze | $2.49 |
Bronze Turnings | $1.30 |
Dirty Brass | $1.08 |
Dirty Brass Radiators | $1.08 |
Plumbers Brass | $2.16 |
Semi-Red Brass | $2.20 |
Metal | Price Per Pound |
---|---|
#1 Bare Bright Copper Wire | $4.01 |
#1 Copper Tubing | $3.74 |
#1 Flashing Copper | $3.74 |
#2 Copper Tubing | $3.53 |
#2/3 Mix Copper | $3.42 |
#3 Copper with Tar | $3.21 |
#3 Roofing Copper | $3.31 |
Dirty Roofing Copper | $3.10 |
Electric Motors - Copper | $2.78 |
Enameled Copper | $3.15 |
Insulated Copper Wire | $3.21 |
Lead Coated Copper | $2.70 |
Silver Plated Copper | $3.42 |
Tin Coated Copper | $2.99 |
Tin Insulated Copper Wire | $2.99 |
Metal | Price Per Pound |
---|---|
Lead Batteries | $0.22 |
Lead Shot | $0.49 |
Lead Wheel Weights | $0.32 |
Solid Lead | $0.66 |
Soft Lead | $0.68 |
Metal | Price Per Pound |
---|---|
New Zinc Die Cast | $0.96 |
Old Zinc Die Cast | $0.83 |
Metal | Price per Gram | Price per Troy Ounce |
---|---|---|
9ct Gold | $34.41 | $1,070.13 |
14ct Gold | $53.67 | $1,669.42 |
18ct Gold | $68.81 | $2,140.31 |
22ct Gold | $84.04 | $2,613.99 |
24ct Gold | $91.74 | $2,853.43 |
In the table above you'll find today's scrap gold price for the different purities of gold. Scrap gold prices (as well as scrap prices for other precious metals) are usually set in troy ounces.
One troy ounce (Oz) is equal to around 31.1 grams.
Metal | Price per Gram | Price per Troy Ounce |
---|---|---|
Palladium | $25.24 | $785.08 |
Platinum | $24.43 | $759.96 |
Silver | $0.92 | $28.53 |
Above are today's scrap prices for silver, palladium and platinum.
Metal | Price Per Pound |
---|---|
#1 Bundle | $0.11 |
#1 Busheling | $0.11 |
#1 HMS | $0.08 |
HMS 80/20 | $0.07 |
Sheet Metal | $0.06 |
Shredded Auto Scrap | $0.08 |
Structural Steel | $0.08 |
Metal | Price Per Pound |
---|---|
201 SS | $0.32 |
301 SS | $0.48 |
304 SS Solid | $0.69 |
304 SS Turning | $0.59 |
309 SS | $0.90 |
310 SS | $1.36 |
316 SS Solid | $0.90 |
330 SS | $2.22 |
Above are today's prices for stainless steel. Stainless steel is very much in demand currently due to it's use in construction.
Metal | Price Per Pound |
---|---|
Scrap #1 Prepared | $0.08 |
Scrap #2 Prepared | $0.09 |
Scrap #1 Unprepared | $0.07 |
Scrap #2 Unprepared | $0.07 |
Scrap Auto Slabs Whole | $0.08 |
Scrap Cast Iron | $0.11 |
Scrap Dishwashers | $0.08 |
Scrap Dryers | $0.08 |
Scrap Oversize Torch | $0.10 |
Scrap Rebar | $0.23 |
Scrap Washing Machines | $0.08 |
Scrap Water Heaters | $0.08 |
Electronics | Price Per Pound |
---|---|
Scrap Back Panels | Contact local scrap yard |
Scrap Cellphones | |
Scrap Computer Wire | |
Scrap CPU Chips | |
Scrap CRT Monitors | |
Scrap Empty PC Servers | |
Scrap Graphics Cards | |
Scrap Hard Drives | Contact local scrap yard |
Scrap Hard Drive Boards | |
Scrap Laptops | |
Scrap LCD Monitors | |
Scrap Low Grade Boards | |
Scrap Mainframes | |
Scrap Memory | |
Scrap Mice | |
Scrap Motherboards | Contact local scrap yard |
Scrap Non-Green PC Boards | |
Scrap PC Boards | |
Scrap PC Tower | |
Scrap Power Supplies | |
Scrap Printers/Fax Machines | |
Scrap Servers | |
Scrap Speakers | |
Scrap Telecom Equipment | Contact local scrap yard |