Scrap Metal Palmerston North: Prices & Recyclers Guide

If you’ve got a pile of copper pipe, brass fittings, or steel lying around the shed, Palmerston North has two established recyclers who will take it off your hands — and pay you for it. Prices shift daily with commodity markets, but the fundamentals are straightforward: copper commands the highest rates, clean metal fetches more than contaminated stock, and a quick phone call before you haul is always worth it. This guide covers current rates, who to call, and what affects your payout.

Macaulay Address: 49 Malden St · Macaulay Phone: 06 357 7071 · Metalco Address: 2/4 Kelvin Grove Rd · Metalco Phone: 06 358 3280 · Macaulay Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm, Sat 8am-Midday

How much is scrap steel worth in NZ?

Steel is the most common scrap metal but typically commands the lowest per-kilogram rate among non-ferrous metals. According to pricing data from Okon Recycling waste metal prices, general steel scrap falls into a lower value tier compared to copper or brass, with stainless steel (non-magnetic 304/316 grades) ranging from $0.30–$0.45 per pound. Light steel or lighter gauge materials often sit at the lower end of that range, while structural or heavier plate steel may receive slightly better rates depending on the dealer.

Current rates from NZ recyclers

NZ recyclers publish varying rates for steel and stainless steel. Okon Recycling lists stainless steel (non-magnetic 304/316) at $0.30–$0.45 per pound, while Sims Metal national pricing offers rates for copper, stainless steel, and aluminium that reflect their competitive national positioning. Ingot Metals aluminium pricing publishes aluminium prices ranging from $0.25/kg to $4.00/kg depending on alloy type, which shows how much variation exists even within a single metal family.

Factors affecting steel prices

Steel prices track commodity markets globally, but local factors also play a role. Dealers consider grade (structural vs. light gauge), contamination (paint, rubber, or other attachments), and current market demand. J.R.’s Advanced Recyclers pricing page notes that scrap metal prices are updated daily but are subject to change without notice — a standard disclaimer across the industry that signals the real-time nature of these markets.

How much is 1 kg of copper worth in NZ?

Copper is consistently the highest-paying non-ferrous metal in New Zealand scrap markets. The exact rate depends on grade, condition, and which dealer you approach, but the broad picture is clear: bare bright copper wire commands premium rates, while contaminated or insulated copper drops to lower tiers.

Clean vs dirty copper rates

Clean copper — also called bare bright — means copper with no insulation, paint, or alloy contamination. According to Okon Recycling, bare bright copper wire scrap is priced from $3.40–$4.00 per pound. Copper tubing and pipe (#1 grade) runs $3.40–$3.90 per pound. Paz Metals scrap prices publishes higher figures: bare bright at $4.75 per pound, #1 copper at $4.60 per pound, and #2 copper at $4.40 per pound as of May 4, 2026. These variations between dealers reflect different processing capabilities, current stock needs, and market positioning.

Dirty copper — copper with insulation, solder, or other contamination — drops significantly. Paz Metals lists light copper (which includes some contamination) at $3.60 per pound, while radiator copper (CUAL radiators) falls to $2.08 per pound. The gap between clean and dirty copper can exceed $1.50 per pound, so cleaning your copper before selling is often worth the effort.

NZ market comparisons

Converting to NZD roughly, current USD rates suggest bare bright copper sits around NZ$7–8 per kilogram at recent exchange rates — though the actual NZD payout varies by dealer and changes with both commodity markets and currency movements. ScrapMonster international tracking tracks international pricing, and their April 30, 2026 data shows 70/30 brass at $2.85 USD per pound, auto radiators at $2.57 USD per pound, and brass heater cores at $1.30 USD per pound — all useful benchmarks for comparison with copper’s premium status.

What this means: copper consistently outpaces brass, aluminium, and steel by a wide margin. For sellers with copper pipe, wiring, or tubbing, the priority is maximising the cleanliness of the material before sale.

What’s the highest paying scrap metal right now?

Copper is the answer most recyclers and industry data will give you, and the price gap between copper and other metals is substantial. Based on published rates from Paz Metals, Okon Recycling, and ScrapMonster, the hierarchy from highest to lowest value looks like this: bare bright copper leads, followed by #1/#2 copper grades, then red brass and bronze, yellow brass, and finally aluminium and steel at the lower end.

Top metals by value

The pricing data paints a clear picture across major metal categories:

• Copper — $3.40–$4.75 per pound (bare bright), dropping to $2.08–$3.60 for radiators and light copper
• Red brass / Bronze — $2.30–$3.00 per pound (red brass from Okon), $2.30–$2.80 per pound (bronze)
• Yellow brass — $1.90–$2.50 per pound
• Aluminium — $0.40–$0.80 per pound (extruded and rims), with Ingot Metals showing $0.25–$4.00/kg depending on type
• Steel / Stainless — $0.30–$0.45 per pound
• Lead — $0.26–$0.70 per pound (solid lead at the higher end, wheel weights at the lower)

Palmerston North payout potential

For a Palmerston North seller, the practical implication is straightforward: copper and brass from plumbing fittings, old radiators, or electrical scrap will generate the most cash per visit to the recycler. Macaulay (Macaulay Scrap Metal) and Metalco (Metalco Recyclers) both accept non-ferrous metals including copper, brass, and aluminium. For larger volumes or mixed loads, calling Metalco’s freephone (0800 METALS) to confirm acceptance and current rates before visiting is standard practice.

Why this matters: a seller with 20 kg of copper pipe will earn substantially more from a single visit than someone hauling 100 kg of steel — weight alone isn’t the deciding factor.

What is dirty copper?

Dirty copper is a grading term used throughout the scrap metal industry to describe copper that has insulation, solder, brazing, or other contamination attached to or mixed with the copper. It sits one or two tiers below “bare bright” or “#1 copper” in the pricing hierarchy. According to Paz Metals, light copper — which includes some contamination — is priced lower than #1 and #2 copper grades, and radiator copper (CUAL radiators) drops further to $2.08 per pound compared to bare bright at $4.75.

Grades of copper scrap

The scrap copper grading system reflects condition and purity:

• Bare bright copper wire — clean, unalloyed copper wire with no insulation. Highest value.
• #1 copper — unalloyed copper pipe, tubing, or solids free of contamination. Very high value.
• #2 copper — copper with light contamination, oxidation, or solder. Moderate value.
• Light copper / dirty copper — copper with insulation, rubber, or other attachments mixed in. Lower value.
• Copper radiators — copper from heat exchangers, often with aluminium fins. Variable value depending on composition.

Impact on pricing

The financial impact is significant. Using Paz Metals’ published rates: bare bright copper at $4.75 per pound versus CUAL radiators at $2.08 per pound represents a difference of roughly $2.67 per pound — more than a 56% reduction in payout. Okon Recycling similarly differentiates between bare bright ($3.40–$4.00/lb) and copper tubing (#1 grade at $3.40–$3.90/lb), with dirty or contaminated stock falling below those ranges. ScrapMonster tracking data from April 30, 2026, shows that auto radiators globally traded at $2.57 USD per pound — consistent with the lower tier for contaminated copper.

For sellers: if you’re dealing with insulated copper wire, consider whether stripping the insulation is worth the effort before heading to the recycler. For plumbing copper or pre-stripped material, you’re already in the higher payout category.

Is stripping wire for copper worth it?

The answer depends on how much wire you have, how clean the copper is underneath, and whether you already own or can borrow a wire stripper. For small quantities — a few metres of cable from a home renovation — stripping probably isn’t worth the time. For larger volumes from a job site, electrical project, or farm with kilometres of old wiring, stripping can mean the difference between a mediocre payout and a good one.

Time vs payout analysis

Stripping copper wire takes physical effort or the right tool. A dedicated wire stripper (manual or electric) makes the job faster but costs $50–$200 if you don’t already own one. The trade-off calculation is simple: if stripping 10 kg of cable yields an extra $20–30 because the copper is now bare bright instead of light copper, and stripping takes two hours, you’re earning $10–15 per hour above your baseline rate. That might be acceptable for a large volume but underwhelming for a small load.

According to industry pricing data from Paz Metals scrap price list, the gap between clean bare bright ($4.75/lb) and light copper ($3.60/lb) is $1.15 per pound. For 20 kg of wire, that’s roughly $50 extra by weight — meaningful if you have the volume.

Tips for Palmerston North sellers

Whether to strip or not, here are practical points for local sellers:

• Call Macaulay (06 357 7071) or Metalco (06 358 3280) before you drop off — confirm they accept your material type and ask about current bare bright versus light copper rates.
• If your wire is heavily contaminated with other materials (plastic sheathing, rubber, fabric), some recyclers may refuse it or charge a disposal fee rather than paying you.
• Macaulay operates Monday to Friday 8:00am–4:30pm and Saturday 8:00am–Midday. Metalco is open Monday to Friday 8:00am–5:00pm. Saturday hours at Macaulay are useful if you’re working during the week.
• If you have very large volumes, ask whether either dealer offers collection services — Metalco’s freephone (0800 METALS) is a good number to have for that conversation.

The pattern: stripping makes sense for volume sellers with access to the right equipment, but for typical household or small-farm quantities, a clean unsorted load delivered to a local dealer is usually sufficient.

Which scrap metal recyclers operate in Palmerston North?

Three operators stand out from the available data for the Palmerston North area. Macaulay and Metalco are the two with direct local addresses, while Dismantling & Metal Recyclers Limited adds a third option on Kellow Road.

Macaulay is verified at 49 Malden St with phone 06 357 7071, and their hours are Monday to Friday 8:00am–4:30pm plus Saturday 8:00am–Midday — notably, they open on Saturday mornings, which is useful for sellers who work weekdays. Metalco is at 2/4 Kelvin Grove Rd with local phone 06 358 3280 and a freephone option at 0800 METALS, open Monday to Friday 8:00am–5:00pm.

Additional operators appear in regional directories: Wrightmetals operates on Keith Street in Palmerston North according to ServiceFinder NZ scrap metal dealers listing, and Phoenix Recycling (Phoenix Recycling metals services) and Sims Metal (Sims Metal national services) offer statewide services that may cover the Manawatu region.

Current scrap metal prices in NZ (April–May 2026)

Understanding the broader NZ pricing context helps you evaluate whether a local dealer’s offer is competitive. The rates below are drawn from published pricing by Okon Recycling, Paz Metals, ScrapMonster, and Ingot Metals.

The prices above are in USD per pound and reflect international commodity tracking as of April–May 2026, converted from what NZ dealers are currently publishing. Actual NZD payouts depend on current exchange rates and each dealer’s margin. Always confirm the rate in NZD before accepting a quote.

For a Palmerston North seller: copper dominates the value hierarchy. A load of bare bright copper pipe will yield substantially more than the same weight in steel or aluminium. If you have mixed scrap, separating copper and brass before heading to Macaulay or Metalco is the single most effective thing you can do to maximise your payout.

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Frequently asked questions

For anyone with scrap metal in or around Palmerston North, the financial case is clear: copper and brass yield the best returns, clean material commands premium rates, and Macaulay and Metalco are the two verified local operators with published contact details. Prices fluctuate daily with global commodity markets, so a quick call to Macaulay (06 357 7071) or Metalco (06 358 3280) before loading up is the most effective first step. Saturday mornings at Macaulay (8am–Midday) offer a useful window for sellers unavailable during weekdays — and for larger volumes, Metalco’s freephone line is there for a direct conversation about collection.