Aluminum grade
Dirty / irony aluminum
Aluminum with attachments or steel still on it — the grade you want to avoid landing in.
Where you'll find dirty / irony aluminum
Whole windows with glass and hardware, appliances, mixed teardown piles.
How to identify it
Aluminum with plastic, rubber, glass, or steel brackets attached — or enough steel that a magnet reacts ("irony"). Aluminum is light, non-magnetic, and forms a dull white oxide rather than red rust — always confirm with the magnet test before you grade it.
Sorting & what downgrades it
This is a downgrade, not a destination — a few minutes with a screwdriver and a magnet moves most of it up to clean cast, sheet, or extrusion. Pull the steel, pop the glass, cut the plastic.
What it pays
Dirty / irony aluminum runs indicatively around $0.30/lb — so 100 lb is roughly $30 at that example price. Aluminum is a volume game and rates move week to week, so the number that matters is your own yard's. Run it on the Scrap Lot Deal Analyzer, and use the Unit & Price Converters if your yard quotes $/kg or per tonne.
How dirty / irony aluminum compares
Every common aluminum grade, ranked by indicative price (this grade is marked):
| Grade | Indicative $/lb | Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum/copper radiators (Al/Cu) | ~$1.30 | Clean |
| Aluminum extrusion | ~$0.85 | Clean |
| Aluminum wheels (clean) | ~$0.70 | Clean |
| Sheet aluminum | ~$0.60 | Clean |
| Cast aluminum | ~$0.55 | Clean |
| Used beverage cans (UBC) | ~$0.50 | Clean |
| Dirty / irony aluminum ← this page | ~$0.30 | Dirty/irony |
Sources
- iScrap App: Dirty/Irony Aluminum grade
- Yard grade sheets: irony aluminum deductions
Prices are indicative US yard figures for July 2026 and move with the market — always confirm with your local yard. For the full picture of every grade, see the Aluminum Scrap Grades guide.
Dirty / irony aluminum: quick answers
What does dirty / irony aluminum pay as scrap?
Indicatively around $0.30/lb at US yards (July 2026) — so about $30 for 100 lb. Rates move weekly and vary by yard, so confirm your local price before hauling.
How do I identify dirty / irony aluminum?
Aluminum with plastic, rubber, glass, or steel brackets attached — or enough steel that a magnet reacts ("irony"). It's light, non-magnetic, and forms a dull white oxide instead of red rust.
How do I sort it for the best price?
This is a downgrade, not a destination — a few minutes with a screwdriver and a magnet moves most of it up to clean cast, sheet, or extrusion. Pull the steel, pop the glass, cut the plastic.
Price your own aluminum
Enter your yard's prices and total up a mixed load.