Scrap copper trends in the Canadian market

Scrap copper trends in the Canadian market

Copper’s role as the backbone of electrification, renewable energy, and construction makes scrap copper a bellwether for both local scrap yards and global commodity markets. Below, I summarize the recent price behaviour in Canada, what’s driving the market, how the domestic recycling and mining landscape interacts with global forces, and what sellers and buyers of scrap copper should watch next.

Quick snapshot (where prices are now)

• Canadian scrap-copper yields and retail prices remain elevated compared with historical averages: typical local retail ranges for common scrap copper grades (bare bright, #1, #2, insulated wire, radiators) are roughly CAD 0.75 – CAD 5.50 per lb, with higher-quality “bare bright” and clean wire at the top end. Local yard quotes vary by province, season, and grade.

• The move in scrap copper prices echoes stronger refined-copper futures and nearby LME/COMEX activity in 2025 (copper futures traded near recent multi-month highs in October 2025), which lifts the price floor for recycled copper.

Final word

For Canadians in the scrap sector: 2025 is a year of opportunity and rapid change. Stronger global copper pricing and the green transition create demand for recycled copper, and top prices reward reasonable grade control and efficient logistics. At the same