How to Recycle Aluminum Siding
Aluminum siding, gutters, and downspouts removed from buildings during renovation or demolition. Clean, sorted aluminum siding is one of the better-paying common scrap categories.
Quick answer
Yes, aluminum siding and gutters are valuable, fully recyclable scrap. Remove steel nails, screws, and fasteners so the load is clean aluminum, then take it to a scrap-metal yard rather than curbside - it pays roughly $0.70-$0.85/lb as of August 2026.
- Recyclable
- Yes
- Recycling code
- AL SIDING
- Typical value
- About $0.70-$0.85 per pound (August 2026 scrap-yard boards). Painted or coated siding still counts as aluminum, though clean bare aluminum can price a little higher than painted.
- 1Remove nails and screws
- 2Clean off any paint or coatings if possible (painted siding is still accepted)
- 3Separate from steel components like J-channel or trim
- 4Cut to manageable lengths
- Scrap metal dealers
- Aluminum recyclers
- Construction waste facilities
Aluminum is infinitely recyclable, and its high scrap value makes recycling economically attractive on its own.
The August 2026 national average is $0.83/lb for painted aluminum siding versus $0.15/lb for dirty aluminum with attachments. Whether preparation earns the cleaner grade depends on the buyer's rules, so confirm the upgrade before doing the work.
Fastener Removal
Most aluminum siding and gutters are attached with steel screws and nails. Removing these steel components moves your material from dirty aluminum pricing to a clean siding grade. The national averages differ by $0.68/lb, but the actual upgrade depends on your yard's inspection.
A quality socket set makes quick work of removing screws from aluminum siding, gutters, and trim. Most construction materials use standard 1/4 inch and 3/8 inch bolts, so a basic set handles most jobs efficiently.
Time vs value: On 50 pounds, the $0.68/lb difference between the dirty-aluminum and siding national averages is $34 before labor and costs. Only use that comparison if the yard confirms it will regrade the cleaned load.
Material Identification and Sorting
Proper identification ensures you're getting aluminum pricing, not steel pricing. Sorting keeps materials organized and prevents contamination.
A strong magnet instantly identifies ferrous vs non ferrous materials. Aluminum won't stick. If something sticks, it's steel and should be separated for different pricing.
Storage bins keep your sorted aluminum separate from steel and other materials. Mixed loads get docked hard at most yards. Proper sorting can add $20 to $50 per trip just from keeping materials separated.
Professional approach: The total investment for socket set, magnet, and storage bins ($100 to $150) typically pays back within the first load if you're processing 50 pounds or more of aluminum siding. These tools also work for other materials, making them versatile additions to your recycling toolkit.
Estimated value: About $0.70-$0.85 per pound (August 2026 scrap-yard boards). Painted or coated siding still counts as aluminum, though clean bare aluminum can price a little higher than painted.
Does painted siding still count as aluminum?
Yes. Paint and coatings don't change the metal underneath. Yards buy painted aluminum siding as a normal aluminum category, sometimes at a slightly lower rate than bare aluminum, not as a dirty or mixed load.
Can aluminum siding go in curbside recycling?
No. Curbside programs are set up for cans and packaging, not construction-sized sheet metal. Take siding, gutters, and downspouts to a scrap-metal yard instead.
What should I remove before selling siding?
Pull out steel nails, screws, and any trim or J-channel made of a different metal. A load contaminated with steel fasteners can get weighed as mixed metal instead of clean aluminum.
Recycling centers that accept Aluminum Siding
RecycleFind lists recycling centers that accept aluminum siding. Open a listing for hours, contact info, and directions.