What We Buy — and Sell
We accept a wide range of ferrous and non-ferrous metals at Port Arthur Recycling. Not sure what you have? Use our calculator or call us — our team can help you identify your material and give you a price before you make the trip.
Serving contractors and homeowners across Jefferson County, the Golden Triangle, and Mid-County — just off FM 365 with easy truck access and no tight turns.
Copper
The most valuable common non-ferrous metal. Prices vary by grade.
- ✓Bare bright copper wire
- ✓#1 copper pipe and tubing
- ✓#2 copper (with solder/paint)
- ✓Copper flashing and sheet
- ✓Insulated copper wire
Aluminum
Lightweight and highly recyclable. We buy all forms.
- ✓Aluminum cans
- ✓Cast aluminum (engines, wheels)
- ✓Aluminum siding and gutters
- ✓Extrusions and sheet
- ✓Aluminum wire
Steel & Iron
Ferrous metals priced by hundredweight (CWT). Any quantity accepted.
- ✓Structural steel (beams, angle)
- ✓Light iron (sheet, tin)
- ✓Cast iron (stoves, weights)
- ✓Rebar
- ✓Appliances (fridges, washers)
Brass
Copper-zinc alloy. Found in plumbing, fixtures, and hardware.
- ✓Yellow brass (faucets, valves)
- ✓Red brass (water meters)
- ✓Cartridge brass
- ✓Bronze (bells, bushings)
Stainless Steel
High-nickel alloys. Grades 304 and 316 are most common.
- ✓304 stainless (kitchen equipment)
- ✓316 stainless (marine/industrial)
- ✓Stainless sinks and tanks
- ✓Stainless pipe and tubing
Lead
Dense, heavy metal. Bring ID — lead transactions are regulated.
- ✓Lead-acid batteries (no acid)
- ✓Lead pipe and sheet
- ✓Lead weights and shot
- ✓Wheel weights
Electric Motors
Accepted whole. We process them in-house for maximum value.
- ✓AC/DC electric motors
- ✓Alternators and starters
- ✓Transformers (call first)
- ✓Generators
Radiators
Aluminum/copper radiators fetch the best rates when clean.
- ✓Clean AC radiators (no steel)
- ✓Copper/brass radiators
- ✓Dirty/mixed radiators
Wheels & Rims
Aluminum rims accepted. Must be free of tires.
- ✓Aluminum car rims
- ✓Aluminum truck wheels
- ✓Cast aluminum rims
Wire & Cable
Priced based on copper content. Leave insulation on — we process it.
- ✓Romex (household wire)
- ✓THHN wire
- ✓Armored cable (BX)
- ✓Communication cable
- ✓Christmas light wire
We Also Sell Metal
Need raw material? We sell structural steel, pipe, plate, and non-ferrous metals directly from the yard. Inventory changes daily — call us to see what's available.
Call 409-796-2100Items We Don't Accept
- ✗Refrigerators or A/C units with Freon still in them
- ✗Sealed tanks or pressurized cylinders
- ✗Propane tanks (even empty)
- ✗Radioactive materials of any kind
- ✗Hazardous waste or contaminated materials
- ✗Municipal garbage or non-metal debris
Not sure? Call 409-796-2100 before loading up.
Preparation Tips — Get More for Your Scrap
Clean, sorted material always pays more. A few minutes of prep can meaningfully increase what you walk away with.
Sort by metal type
Mixed loads get priced at the lowest-grade material in the pile. Separate copper from aluminum, steel from stainless — each pile is worth more on its own.
Remove non-metal attachments
Rubber hoses, plastic fittings, wood, and insulation all reduce your payout. Pull them off where you can. Even partial separation helps.
Strip wire when possible
Bare copper pays significantly more than insulated wire. If you have time, strip your Romex and THHN. Leave thicker cable for us to process — it's not worth hand-stripping.
Separate copper from motors
If you can pop the copper windings out of electric motors, the copper is worth more per pound separately. Otherwise, bring the whole motor — we process them in-house.
Drain fluids from equipment
Engines, compressors, and hydraulic equipment must have fluids drained before we can accept them. Oil, coolant, and hydraulic fluid all need to be removed.
Bring in bulk when you can
Larger loads mean more efficient processing and sometimes better per-pound rates, especially for ferrous metals. If you're collecting over time, wait until you have a full load.
Ready to sell?
Not sure what you have? Use our calculator or call 409-796-2100.