Scrap metal recycling is a growing industry in Ireland, offering both environmental benefits and financial returns for individuals and businesses.
What Are the Latest Scrap Metal Prices? A Guide for Ireland with Rubbish Disposal Insights
Whether you’re clearing out old appliances, renovating, or managing industrial waste, understanding the latest scrap metal prices helps you make informed decisions and maximise your returns. In this article, we explore the current scrap metal market trends, price updates, and how professional rubbish disposal services can assist you in managing your scrap metal efficiently.
Current Scrap Metal Prices in Ireland and Europe
Scrap metal prices fluctuate regularly due to global supply and demand, energy costs, and geopolitical factors. Here’s a snapshot of the latest median prices for common scrap metals as of mid-2025:
- Iron and Steel: Approximately €220 per metric tonne (mt)
- Steel: Around €190 per tonne, with car bodies slightly lower at €180 per tonne
- Copper: High-value metal, ranging from €3.80 to €5.70 per kilogram depending on grade, equating to €3,800–€5,700 per tonne
- Brass: About €3.20 per kilogram (€3,200 per tonne)
- Lead: Approximately €1.30 per kilogram (€1,300 per tonne)
- Aluminium: Roughly €1 per kilogram (€1,000 per tonne)
- Stainless Steel: Around €0.50 per kilogram (€500 per tonne)
Prices for specialty items like catalytic converters can range from €40 to €550 each, depending on condition and type.
These prices are indicative and can vary based on location, quantity, quality, and market conditions. For example, full-load transactions typically command better prices than small or mixed loads.
Factors Influencing Scrap Metal Prices
- Global Demand and Supply: Economic growth, manufacturing trends, and infrastructure projects drive metal demand.
- Energy Costs: Higher energy prices increase metal production costs, influencing scrap value.
- Geopolitical Events: Trade tariffs, sanctions, and supply chain disruptions cause price volatility.
- Metal Quality and Purity: Clean, sorted metals fetch higher prices than mixed or contaminated scrap.
- Local Market Conditions: Proximity to recycling facilities and transport costs affect pricing.
The Importance of Professional Rubbish Disposal for Scrap Metal
Proper rubbish disposal is crucial when handling scrap metal. Using licensed and professional rubbish disposal services ensures your scrap is collected, sorted, and recycled responsibly, maximising value while complying with environmental regulations.
In Ireland, companies offer efficient rubbish disposal services tailored to scrap metal. They provide:
- Convenient Collection: Door-to-door pickup for bulky scrap metal items, saving you time and effort.
- Legal Compliance: Ensuring all waste is handled according to Irish environmental laws.
- Sorting and Recycling: Partnering with authorised recycling centres to divert scrap from landfill.
- Competitive Pricing: Helping you get the best possible return on your scrap metal.
How to Maximise Your Scrap Metal Returns
- Sort Your Scrap: Separate metals by type (ferrous vs non-ferrous) and grade to increase value.
- Clean the Metals: Remove plastics, rubber, and other contaminants.
- Collect Larger Quantities: Bulk scrap loads typically attract higher prices.
- Stay Informed: Monitor market trends and price alerts from scrap metal price indices.
- Use Trusted Rubbish Disposal Services: Professional companies can advise on the best way to prepare and sell your scrap.
Scrap Car Prices: A Related Market Snapshot
Scrap cars are a significant source of recyclable metal. In early 2025, average scrap car prices in Ireland hovered around €238–€242 per vehicle, influenced by metal prices and demand for reusable parts. Selling scrap cars promptly is advised, as values tend to decline with vehicle age.

Environmental Benefits of Scrap Metal Recycling
Recycling scrap metal conserves natural resources, reduces energy consumption, and lowers greenhouse gas emissions compared to mining and producing new metals. Proper rubbish disposal and recycling contribute to Ireland’s sustainability goals and circular economy initiatives.
Staying updated on the latest scrap metal prices in Ireland empowers you to make better decisions when disposing of metal waste.
With prices fluctuating based on multiple factors, partnering with professional rubbish disposal services like Rubbish Taxi ensures your scrap metal is handled efficiently, legally, and profitably.
Whether you have household scrap, industrial metal waste, or scrap vehicles, understanding market trends and using trusted disposal services will help you maximise returns while supporting Ireland’s environmental commitments.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.