Best Scrap Metal Recyclers in St. Louis

If you've got old appliances, copper wiring, aluminum cans, or car parts taking up space in your garage, you might be sitting on quick cash. St. Louis has a solid scrap metal recycling scene, and yards here will actually pay you for materials that most people throw away. The amount you'll make depends on what you're hauling in and current commodity prices, but it's realistic to expect anywhere from $20 to $200+ per trip if you're bringing in decent quantities. Let me walk you through what to expect and how to make the most of it.

Know What They Actually Want

Not every metal is worth the same, and some materials won't get you anything at all. Here's what most St. Louis recyclers will pay for:

Copper - This is the gold standard. Copper wiring, pipes, and tubing usually fetch the highest prices. You're looking at roughly $3 to $4 per pound depending on the day.
Aluminum - Cans, siding, and frames bring in less than copper but it's still worth collecting. Expect around 30 to 50 cents per pound.
Steel and iron - The backbone of most scrap yards. Car parts, appliances, and structural steel typically go for $0.10 to $0.20 per pound. It's low value but heavy, so volume matters.
Stainless steel - A step up from regular steel. Usually worth $0.30 to $0.50 per pound.
Brass - Fittings, valves, and plumbing components. Similar to copper pricing, often $1.50 to $3 per pound.

Before you load up your truck, call ahead and ask about the specific items you have. Markets fluctuate, so what paid well last month might be worth less today.

Prepare Your Materials Beforehand

The recyclers in St. Louis appreciate when you show up with organized, separated materials. Here's why it matters to you: some yards will dock your payment if materials are tangled together or mixed with junk.

Strip the copper from old appliances and electronics if you can do it safely. Bare copper pays more than insulated wire.
Separate ferrous metals (steel, iron) from non-ferrous (aluminum, copper, brass). Most yards have magnets, but sorting it yourself speeds things up.
Remove plastic, rubber, and other non-metal components. They won't pay for these and might charge you a fee to dispose of them.
Drain fluids from cars and appliances if possible. Refrigerators and air conditioning units need professional handling, so be honest about what you're bringing.

What to Bring and How Much to Expect

Realistically, small hauls are the most common way people start making money from scrap. If you're bringing in a load of aluminum cans you've been collecting, that's maybe $5 to $15. An old copper radiator from a car might get you $30 to $60. If you're clearing out an entire garage or renovation site, you could easily walk away with $100 to $300 or more.

The key is finding materials consistently. Some people build this into a routine by collecting from construction sites (with permission), scrapping old electronics from friends and family, or keeping tabs on Craigslist free sections for appliances people want removed. It's not get-rich-quick money, but it adds up.

Plan Your Timing

St. Louis has several working scrap yards spread across the city, so proximity matters when you're hauling heavy materials. Most yards are open during business hours on weekdays and some offer limited Saturday hours. Call before you go to confirm operating hours and what they're currently accepting.

Bring a valid ID. All major yards require identification for payment. Come ready to unload. If you don't have help, ask if they can assist or if you need to do the labor yourself. Some facilities have scales you'll drive across, others hand-weigh materials.

Metal prices shift almost daily based on commodities markets, so you're never locked into a rate. That said, don't stress too much about timing the perfect moment to sell. The difference between selling on Monday versus Wednesday is usually just a few dollars per pound.

Find Your Local Options

Ready to turn your scrap into cash? Head over to whopaysmenow.com/scrap-metal to search for scrap metal recyclers near you in St. Louis. Filter by location, read what materials they accept, and find the best option for your next haul.