Scrap Metal Prices on the Rise

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Story Published: Feb 6, 2010 at 7:57 PM PDT

By Ryan Simms

YAKIMA COUNTY -- 2010 could be a solid year for metal recycling businesses.

With a truck full of mangled metal, it's payday for Jeff Delarosa.

A year after scrap metal prices plunged, values are back on the rise, meaning more money for Delarosa, and anyone else wishing to junk their things for cash.

At this time last year, scrap iron was valued at only $30 per ton. Today it's worth more than $100.

In addition, the price of tin has surged $50, thanks to increased demand from China.

Amid wheels and fire extinguishers, Delarosa scored $60 for his loot. A year ago, he would've received only $10.

"I feel good, because if I was only getting ten, I wouldn't be here right now," he tells Action News.

Prices are still down compared to 2008. But with values on the rise, Delarosa and others are getting more bang for their buck than at any other time in the last year.

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