Aluminum Can Prices by State

Aluminum can prices vary across the United States based on local recycling markets, transportation costs, and state deposit programs. In 2025, prices range from $0.05 to $1.70 per can, a wide spread driven mainly by differences in container redemption laws and regional scrap metal demand.

In states with bottle deposit systems, consumers receive a fixed redemption value per returned can—typically $0.05 or $0.10—while in non-deposit states, scrap value fluctuates based on aluminum’s market rate. Prices here reflect the average resale or redemption value per aluminum can reported by local recycling programs and scrap centers in early 2025.

• California has the highest aluminum can price at $1.70 per can, more than triple the next state’s rate.
• South Dakota ranks 2nd with $0.80 per can, followed by Kentucky at $0.59.
• The national median price is around $0.46, indicating that most states cluster between $0.40 and $0.55.
• Delaware records the lowest price at $0.05 per can, matching the minimum standard deposit value.
• States with established deposit-refund or bottle bill systems—like California and Oregon—show higher consistent returns, while others depend on scrap market volatility.

California has the highest aluminum can price at $1.70 per can. South Dakota ranks 2nd at $0.80. Kentucky ranks 3rd with $0.59 per can. Pennsylvania ranks 4th at $0.55, tied with Oklahoma and Georgia, both at $0.55. Tennessee ranks 7th at $0.52, followed by Mississippi, Arizona, and Nebraska, each at $0.50.

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Delaware has the lowest aluminum can price at $0.05 per can. Oregon ranks 2nd at $0.10, followed by Idaho in 3rd at $0.15. New Hampshire ranks 4th at $0.14. North Dakota ranks 5th with $0.30, followed by Michigan in 6th at $0.31. Virginia and Massachusetts share 7th place at $0.32, New York ranks 9th at $0.35, and Kansas ranks 10th with $0.38 per can.

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