Scrap steel prices in Ontario today
What Ontario scrap yards are paying per pound for steel and iron today, by grade, in Canadian dollars. Checked October 28, 2026; updated every weekday morning.
#1 heavy melt steel, typical Ontario yard price
$330/tonne
Range $290 – $370/tonne · Canadian dollars
Steel and iron prices by grade
| Grade | Typical price | Range | Since yesterday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light iron / shred Appliances, sheet metal, bed frames, thin steel. Priced per tonne; 100 lb is about $12-$15. | $280/tonne | $238 – $322 | no change |
| #1 heavy melt steel Plate and structural steel at least 1/4 inch thick, cut to size. | $330/tonne | $290 – $370 | no change |
| Cast iron Radiators, tubs, machine bases. Auto cast (engine blocks, rotors) usually pays 15-20% more. | $264/tonne | $224 – $304 | no change |
| Whole vehicles (complete) Complete cars with catalytic converter. Pricing varies a lot; call. | $290/tonne | $232 – $348 | no change |
Steel is the cheapest metal per pound and the one yards quote per tonne, per net ton (2,000 lb) or per 100 lb. Appliances, bed frames and sheet metal are light iron; plate and structural steel at least a quarter inch thick is heavy melt and pays more.
Where the number comes from
These are estimates, not quotes. Steel scrap follows the North American scrap market, which we track with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics iron and steel scrap index (2026-09), scaled to what GTA yards were paying for heavy melt in October 2026.
Your yard may pay more or less. Big, clean, sorted loads and regular sellers get the top of the range; small or dirty loads get the bottom. Call two yards before a big trip.
Questions people ask
Why is steel priced per tonne?
Because a car load is worth tens of dollars, not hundreds. At today's rates a pickup load of light iron (about 1,000 lb) is worth around a hundred dollars.
What's the difference between a tonne and a ton?
A metric tonne is 2,204.6 lb; a net (short) ton is 2,000 lb. Ontario yards use both, so ask which one a quote is in. A price per tonne is about 10% higher than the same price per net ton.
Do I need to remove the refrigerant from a fridge?
Yes. Fridges, freezers and air conditioners need the refrigerant drained by a certified technician before most yards will take them, and many charge a fee if they do it.
Other metals
- Copper $7.82/lb
- Aluminum $1.67/lb
- Brass $5.18/lb
- Stainless steel $0.65/lb
- Car batteries and lead $0.34/lb