Best Scrap Metal Recyclers in Spokane
Got old appliances, copper wiring, aluminum cans, or car parts sitting around? Spokane has several legitimate scrap metal recyclers that'll actually pay you for them. I've walked through this process myself, and while you're not going to get rich, you can realistically make anywhere from $20 to $200+ depending on what you're bringing in and how much of it you have. The key is knowing where to go, what metals they actually want, and how to prepare your materials so you get the best price.
What Metals Actually Pay in Spokane Right Now
Before you load up your truck, know the current market. Prices fluctuate constantly, but here's what you're typically looking at:
- Copper: $3 to $4 per pound (the most valuable common metal)
- Aluminum: $0.50 to $0.70 per pound
- Steel: $0.08 to $0.12 per pound
- Brass: $1.50 to $2.50 per pound
- Lead: $0.40 to $0.60 per pound
Copper is where the real money is. A length of old house wiring or stripped copper pipes can add up fast. One person I know brought in about 15 pounds of stripped copper from a renovation project and made $50. Not bad for an afternoon of work.
How to Prepare Your Materials
Don't just show up with a random pile of metal. You'll get paid better if you sort it first.
- Separate by type: Copper, aluminum, and steel should be in different piles. Recyclers will dock you money if you mix them
- Strip wiring if possible: Bare copper wire is worth significantly more than insulated wire. If you have time, carefully strip the plastic coating off with a utility knife or wire stripper. This can increase your payout by 50% or more
- Remove non-metal parts: That old refrigerator has valuable copper in the coils, but you need to pull out the compressor and separate the tubing yourself if you want full price
- Clean heavy oils and grease: You don't need spotless materials, but heavily contaminated metal sometimes gets rejected or priced lower
Working with Spokane Recyclers
The recycling centers in Spokane are straightforward operations. Here's what to expect when you show up:
The process is quick. You pull up, they inspect what you brought, weigh it by metal type, and cut you a check or hand you cash. Most transactions take 10 to 20 minutes. Some places have a minimum (like $5 to $10), so don't bother going if you only have a couple pounds of aluminum cans.
Bring ID. For larger amounts of copper especially, recyclers might ask for your ID. It's a standard practice to prevent theft and track sales.
Ask about their current prices. Call ahead or check their website before driving over. Prices shift weekly or even daily based on commodity markets. What paid $4 a pound last month might be $3.20 this week.
Cash payment is common. Most recyclers pay immediately in cash, though some offer checks. Ask which they prefer when you call.
Realistic Expectations
Let me be honest about the money here. This isn't passive income. But if you're regularly working on projects, renovations, or you live near places that throw out appliances and metal items, it adds up.
A typical haul might look like this: 20 pounds of mixed metal (mostly aluminum and steel) from cleaning out a garage nets you maybe $15 to $25. If you have actual copper, that same weight could be $40 to $60. Someone doing this consistently, hitting up estate sales or renovation sites, can pull in $100 to $300 a month as a side thing.
The real value is that you're not paying to get rid of the stuff. You're being paid, even if modestly.
Find Your Nearest Recycler
Spokane has multiple scrap metal buyers spread across the city. Rather than listing specific locations that might change hours or go out of business, you'll want to check the current options near you right now.
Search WhoPaysMe Now's scrap metal directory at whopaysmenow.com/scrap-metal to find active recyclers in Spokane with current hours, locations, and what materials they accept. You'll save time and get paid faster.