How do you determine the price per pound for scrap metal?

Since metal prices fluctuate daily, a person has to call the recycling center to find out the current prices for scrap metal. Scrap metal prices also differ from center to center.

Most scrap metal recycling centers buy copper, stainless steel, cast iron, aluminum, brass and batteries, to name a few. The metal is sorted by type and grade of material. For instance, No. 1 copper brings a higher price per pound than No. 2 copper.

The scrap metal recycling center should be called beforehand to find out how to prepare the scrap metal so that the highest price possible can be paid out. Some states require a driver's license and address of where the scrap metal was obtained.