Aluminium scrap price UK
Aluminium scrap averaged £1,930 per tonne (£1.93 per kg) in July 2026, up 3% on the month before and up 27% on a year earlier. These are average UK export values from HMRC. They show the market trend, and a dealer's offer for your material will be lower.
Aluminium scrap price UK in July 2026
| Material | Jul 2026, per tonne | Per kg | Month before | Change | A year earlier | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium scrap | £1,930 | £1.93 | £1,865 | up 3.5% | £1,517 | up 27.2% |
| Aluminium production waste | £2,022 | £2.02 | £2,069 | down 2.3% | £1,587 | up 27.4% |
| Aluminium turnings and coated sheet waste | £1,914 | £1.91 | £2,151 | down 11.0% | £1,434 | up 33.5% |
Aluminium scrap, month by month
| Month | Average per tonne | Per kg | Change | Tonnes exported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | £1,930 | £1.93 | up 3.5% | 34,045 |
| June 2026 | £1,865 | £1.87 | down 0.6% | 35,961 |
| May 2026 | £1,877 | £1.88 | up 11.6% | 37,717 |
| April 2026 | £1,682 | £1.68 | up 1.3% | 37,383 |
| March 2026 | £1,660 | £1.66 | down 5.1% | 38,465 |
| February 2026 | £1,750 | £1.75 | up 1.9% | 32,134 |
| January 2026 | £1,717 | £1.72 | up 3.0% | 24,059 |
| December 2025 | £1,667 | £1.67 | up 3.2% | 31,920 |
| November 2025 | £1,616 | £1.62 | up 4.7% | 39,241 |
| October 2025 | £1,544 | £1.54 | up 6.0% | 35,168 |
| September 2025 | £1,456 | £1.46 | down 2.7% | 33,280 |
| August 2025 | £1,497 | £1.50 | down 1.3% | 36,703 |
| July 2025 | £1,517 | £1.52 | n/a | 37,434 |
How to read these figures
These are average values, not offers. HMRC records the value and weight of the scrap and recovered material that leaves the UK, and dividing one by the other gives a price per tonne.
- They reflect large, sorted loads that are ready for export.
- A dealer buying from your business will pay less, to cover collection, sorting and their margin.
- Use them to follow the direction of the market and to judge whether a quote is reasonable.
What affects the price you are offered
- Grade and cleanliness. Sorted, clean material earns the most.
- Quantity. Regular, larger loads earn better terms.
- Distance. Haulage comes out of the price.
Our guide explains the grades and how to prepare your material: How to sell scrap aluminium.
Register and list your scrap aluminium
Frequently asked questions
How much is scrap aluminium worth per kg?
Based on HMRC export figures for July 2026, aluminium scrap averaged £1.93 per kg, which is £1,930 per tonne. A dealer buying from you will pay less than this, to cover collection, sorting and their margin.
Is the price of scrap aluminium going up or down?
In July 2026 aluminium scrap was up 3% on the month before and up 27% on a year earlier. Over the last 12 months it has ranged from £1,456 to £1,930 per tonne.
Is this the price a dealer will pay me?
No. These figures are the average value of UK exports recorded by HMRC, which reflects large, sorted loads that are ready for export. A dealer buying from your business will offer less, depending on grade, quantity and distance. Use the figures to follow the market and to judge whether a quote is reasonable.
Are aluminium cans priced the same as other aluminium scrap?
Not exactly. Cans are bought as their own grade, and the price depends on whether they are baled and free of steel cans. HMRC figures do not separate cans from other aluminium scrap.
Can I be paid cash for scrap aluminium?
No. Scrap metal dealers in England and Wales have not been allowed to pay cash since December 2012, and Scotland brought in the same rule in September 2016. Dealers pay by bank transfer or cheque, and they must check your identity.
Does my business need a licence to sell scrap aluminium?
No. You do not need a licence to sell scrap from your own business. You do have a duty of care, which means using a licensed scrap metal dealer or a registered waste carrier and keeping a waste transfer note for each load.
How often are these prices updated?
Monthly. HMRC publishes trade figures about six weeks after the end of each month, and this page updates automatically when new figures arrive.
More prices: Scrap metal prices, Scrap copper prices, Scrap steel prices, all prices.