What is the price of lead per pound? This is among the most popular questions we get from our clients, and it’s one we’ll be answering in this comprehensive blog post today! Whether you are looking to buy or sell lead, you’re in the right place to find the information you need to get the best value for your efforts.
In addition to discussing the price of lead per pound, we’ll also answer a number of your other top questions on the subject. From things like what lead is used for, the best time to buy it, and more, you’ll find it all here!
Understanding the Price of Lead Per Pound
Normally, lead prices per pound vary by the purchaser and the quality of the lead refuse. Still, a simple understanding of what to expect in price and practice helps professionals like you get the best payday on your product.
More than just a number, this article gives insight into the range in price of lead scrap. With it, you can determine for yourself whether you should unload or store your scrap until a market rise arrives.
Knowing what the range in price of lead scrap will give you this decision-making power. However, this post also tells you the when of lead prices—when you should hit the streets with your lead scrap. And, for the who, we make a simple local recommendation for the best possible price.
What is the price of lead per pound for scrap pieces?
Now, at the time of publication (late 2021) lead prices sit in a range trending around $1.00 per pound.
Back in 2009 and 2010, for example, the price of lead consistently leveled around that price with seasonal changes. Overall though, lead is on a general upward trend—perhaps because it is used heavily in electronics and batteries. (About 80% of modern lead usage is for the use of batteries, in fact!)
Let’s look back on some recent years at the average daily lead price per metric ton (adjust for inflation):
- 2018: $2601.45
- 2017: $2311.97
- 2016: $1961.28
- 2015: $1915.91
When does lead scrap sell highest?
Due ups and downs in lead scrap sold and bought, prices rise and fall as well. Still, lead stays moderate. This makes it a reasonable investment of time and energy.
Like other metals, the best time to sell lead scrap is during the beautiful summer season. During the summer, there is more activity in the industries that require lead like construction projects and hunting. But, since lead is used in batteries, it remains relatively stable. Still, slight increases in demand by season may mean a higher price for your lead scrap.
While the preferred time to sell your scrap will depend on your location, it also depends on your choice of the recycler. While the start and end of the calendar month bring better times for scrap, the patterns of your local scrap yard will determine selling.
Who buys lead scrap locally?
If you are looking to sell your lead or merely want to take a load off, most local scrap yards offer varying levels of services and prices.
As for Scrap Gators, your local scrap metal experts in Fort Pierce? We work with a variety of commercial and industrial industries to ensure our customers get the most money for their material! All of our customers receive free pickups for their materials so they don’t have to waste time loading and transporting their material. We do the heavy lifting for you.
We service commercial and industrial projects large and small. Whether you’re looking to remove outdated mechanical systems, clean out vacant buildings, in the middle of construction and need more space, or simply want to get rid of some extra junk, we have the know-how to make sure your projects run smoothly.
What is lead used for?
Lead gets a bad rap when it comes to health purposes. However, this is a critically important resource that’s used for a number of purposes that aren’t harmful to humans.
So, unlike lead paint and the associated problems with it, what are some of these more beneficial uses for lead?
To name a few…
- Medicine: Because lead absorbs radiation, it helps shield patients from harmful x-rays with the help of metal-infused vests and other protective garments.
- Technology: Lead is still often used for power lines, roofing, and even sculptures. However, bismuth makes a better choice for technological purposes in many cases.
- Defense: Lead withstands high heat and great impacts without changing its shape or shattering which makes it a natural choice for defense purposes, including bullets.
This article from Minerals Make Life also explains how lead is used in conjunction with other resources for defense purposes: “Because copper is also a highly flexible metal, it is often combined with lead and nickel to produce military gear and body armor that can withstand impact and degeneration.”
Where can I find lead?
It’s no secret the marine industry on the Treasure Coast is a hotbed of fisherman, marine fabricators, sailors, and more. However, what many boat owners don’t know is how much scrap value they could be sitting on when they are customizing their boat or getting rid of an old vessel. Consider this: sailboat ballasts are very heavy and could be worth thousands of dollars in lead scrap value!
But that isn’t the only place to find scrap lead.
Here are some other resources to consider:
- Shooting ranges (Did you know some managers at shooting ranges will let you come in for their lead scrap at regular intervals? If you do a little housekeeping for them while you’re at it, they might invite you back!)
- Wheel weights
- All types of batteries (You might even find lead in batteries which are broken, discarded, and abandoned)
We have a whole post right here on these sources of lead scrap where we offer more pro tips and information. Don’t miss it!
How can I identify lead?
This is a great question to ask. In fact, it’s useful to learn this about all of the common scrap metals to help you determine what’s valuable from what’s not.
When it comes to lead, there are a few key indicators that tell you that’s what you’re working with. For starters, lead is heavier than most other scrap metals. As dense as it may be, however, you’re also able to make marks and indentations on it with a pocket knife.
Maximize the Price of Lead Per Pound: Pro Tips
- Pro Tip: Infomine.com keeps a record of lead prices from 1989 up to the present day. It is a useful resource to dig for price trends.
- Pro Tip: Winter months are a challenge for most scrap metal purposes. Reduced activity means less lead to collect, less demand, and lower prices.
- Pro Tip: Call ahead to your local scrap yards to get a feel for their service, prices, and to consult on your unique situation.
For example, at Scrap Gators, we offer full-service residential and commercial scrap services from Port St. Lucie.
We’re a family-owned business offering scrap metal services to all commercial and industrial businesses, and we strive to make recycling easy and profitable for our customers. We buy large loads of non-ferrous material at our facility, and also offer other services such as flatbeds, containers, brokering, sorting, and on-site torching services throughout the southeast.
Specializing In HVAC, aerospace, manufacturing, and large equipment removal, there is no job (big or small) that we cannot handle.
Give us a call at (772) 203-7391 for a consultation. We can quote you a price and offer you free services over the phone. With questions, detailed information, and requests, you can also send mail to wally@scrapgators.com.
Did you learn a lot from this post about the price of lead per pound?
You can learn more about where to find lead and learn how it is used through our related help articles:
