Quick Verdict
Most Oregon scrap metal yards (Schnitzer Steel, Calbag Metals, EMR / Portland Metro Metals, Pacific Metals Recycling, and dozens of independent yards) will pay cash or check for clean, sorted non-ferrous and ferrous metals. Copper wire, copper plumbing, brass, aluminum, and stainless pay the most per pound. Iron and steel pay the least per pound but add up fast when you have volume. Bring ID, know what each item is made of, and understand that yards deduct for contamination and impurities.
Scrap metal is one of the few items on this guide that pays you to dispose of it. But the margins are thin, and the difference between "a quick pickup check" and "I worked harder than I'd like for three hours" comes down to preparation.
How Scrap Metal Pricing Works
Yards pay per pound, by metal category. Prices fluctuate daily with global commodity markets. A rough hierarchy in Oregon in recent years:
Non-ferrous (highest value):
- Copper bare bright pays the most per pound
- Copper #1 (pipe, clean wire) pays slightly less
- Copper #2 (painted, soldered) pays less again
- Brass (plumbing valves, fittings) pays well, below copper
- Aluminum extrusion (clean window frames) pays a modest amount
- Aluminum cans pay a little less than extrusion
- Stainless steel 304 pays a modest amount
- Lead pays a modest amount
Ferrous (lowest value, highest volume):
- Prepared heavy steel pays very little per pound and is priced by the ton
- Light iron / tin pays the least
This is a rough ranking, not live quotes. Call the yard the morning of your trip.
| Metal Category | Relative value per pound | Where to Find |
|---|---|---|
| Copper (bare bright, #1) | Highest | Plumbing, wire, motors |
| Brass | High | Valves, fittings, casings |
| Aluminum extrusion | Moderate | Window / door frames |
| Aluminum cans | Moderate to low | Recycling stream |
| Stainless 304 | Moderate to low | Appliances, railings |
| Lead | Moderate to low | Old pipes, flashing |
| Prepared steel | Low | Appliances, car bodies |
| Cast iron | Low | Old tubs, skillets, radiators |
Scrap prices change daily, so this table ranks metals against each other rather than quoting prices.
Current Market Reality
Global copper and aluminum prices swing hard. Oregon yards adjust daily. The same load can fetch noticeably more or less from one month to the next. Call for current prices before loading your truck. Clean, sorted metal usually pays noticeably more than mixed contaminated scrap.
Oregon Scrap Yards
1. Schnitzer Steel (Multiple Oregon Locations)
The largest metals recycler in Oregon. Yards in Portland (NW Front Ave, SE Portland), Eugene, Medford, and White City. Accepts ferrous and non-ferrous. Cash or check payment. State ID required. Weighing is automated on large scales.
2. Calbag Metals (Portland)
Non-ferrous specialist. Copper, brass, aluminum, stainless. Clean sorted loads get the best pricing.
3. EMR USA Metal Recycling / Portland Metro Metals
Portland-area operator with multiple yards. Residential and contractor accounts.
4. Pacific Metals Recycling (Portland)
Independent, accepts most common residential scrap.
5. Far West Recycling (Portland Metro)
Not a metals specialist but accepts metals alongside other recyclables.
6. Willamette Valley and Southern Oregon Independents
Corvallis, Albany, Salem, Lebanon, Eugene, Roseburg, Medford, and Grants Pass all have independent scrap yards. Prices vary; call around.
7. Auto Dismantlers
Licensed dismantlers (Pick-N-Pull, U-Pull-It locations) buy whole cars for scrap value. This is different from a scrap yard -- they want cars, not loose metal.
What to Collect (High-Value Sources)
- Copper water pipe (plumbing renovations)
- Electrical wire (strip the insulation for max value -- bare bright beats THHN)
- Aluminum window frames (home renovations)
- Aluminum gutters
- Copper flashing
- Brass valves and fittings
- Stainless steel appliances
- Old cast iron tubs and radiators
- Car catalytic converters (big money, ID required, Oregon law restricts theft)
- Motor windings (ACs, motors -- contain copper)
Step-by-Step Preparation
- Sort by metal type. Copper in one pile, brass in another, aluminum separate. Mixing = contamination penalty.
- Remove non-metal contaminants. Insulation from wire, plastic from aluminum frames, wood from old fences. Each contaminant drops the per-pound price.
- Separate ferrous from non-ferrous. A magnet helps -- steel sticks, copper/brass/aluminum/stainless do not.
- Strip insulated wire if you have volume. Stripping 100 lbs of wire is a weekend project, but the payoff is significant.
- Pre-weigh with a household or truck scale if possible to confirm yard measurements.
- Bring photo ID. Oregon requires ID for most transactions to deter theft.
- Check market prices the morning of. Call the yard or check posted rates.
- Arrive early. Lines can be long at Schnitzer and Calbag on weekends.
Cost Expectations (What You Earn)
| Typical Load | Relative payout |
|---|---|
| 50 lbs clean copper pipe | Strong for the weight |
| 200 lbs mixed aluminum | Moderate |
| 500 lbs steel and iron | Low for the weight |
| Car (running) to dismantler | Often more than scrap value |
| Car (scrap only, delivered) | Priced by weight |
| Whole appliance load (6 appliances, mixed metals) | Low |
| Contractor copper plumbing gut (500 lbs) | The highest of these |
Current Market Reality
Self-haul pays. It also costs time, truck miles, back strain, and yard wait times. For a contractor stripping copper from a gut job, the math is great. For a homeowner with one washer and a pile of rebar, junk removal is often better value even though you do not get the scrap payment -- your haul is combined with other household items and the lifting is done for you. See junk removal vs scrap metal yard for the full comparison.
Special Cases
Catalytic Converters
Oregon law (HB 2318) restricts catalytic converter sales -- sellers must provide ID, vehicle VIN, and documentation showing legal ownership. Yards must record the transaction. Theft rings hit Oregon hard in the 2020s, and the documentation rules are the state's response.
Old Water Heaters
Most of the tank is painted steel with trace copper or brass fittings. A yard will take it, but pick-up is often not worth it for a single water heater -- the steel value is low.
Car Batteries
Lead-acid car batteries have some scrap value. Most Oregon auto parts stores accept cores; scrap yards also buy. See how to dispose of a car battery.
Copper Wire with Insulation
If you have a lot of insulated wire (residential gut), stripping it nearly doubles the per-pound price. A hand wire stripper pays for itself in a single load.
Refrigerators and Freezers
Contain refrigerant that must be recovered before scrapping. Most Oregon yards refuse refrigerators and freezers unless refrigerant has been professionally removed (see "EPA Section 608 certified technician").
When to Call a Pro
Call a professional junk removal service when:
- You have mixed scrap plus non-metal household items
- You do not have a truck
- You are clearing an estate or commercial site and the sort time is not worth it
- You have items yards refuse (refrigerators without refrigerant recovery, loose asbestos-wrapped pipes)
See junk removal. Enter your ZIP in the price box to see which services are available at your address. When you get a quote, ask how metal is sorted for scrap, donation, or disposal; handing it off saves you a sorting afternoon.
FAQ
Do I need an account to sell scrap? No. Walk-in sellers are welcome at all major Oregon yards with ID.
Will the yard come pick up? Large loads (multiple tons) may qualify for free pickup. Small residential loads rarely do -- call first.
Can I sell metal I found on the side of the road? Oregon yards require ID and may ask about origin. Stolen catalytic converters in particular are heavily scrutinized.
What about old radiators and cast iron tubs? Cast iron pays modest per-pound rates. A cast iron bathtub is 300+ pounds -- worth hauling if you already have a truck.
Do I need to drain fluids from engines or appliances? Yes. Yards reject items with retained fluids. Drain oil, coolant, and refrigerant before delivery.
Next Step
For a pile of copper pipe and some aluminum frames from a renovation, a trip to Schnitzer or Calbag is the right move. For a cleanout where metal is mixed with general household items, contact Otesse. Ask how the metal portion will be sorted for recycling when you get a quote.
