How to Recycle Copper Scrap

In spring of 2008 the price of copper neared $5.00 a pound. If done correctly you can make a fair amount of money recycling. Here are some of the key points to get the most for your work.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• scrap copper
• razor knife
• time

1. #1 clean New Premium price

   COLLECT and SAVE
   Collect and save copper scrap from many sources. I save power cords from appliances, Wire and pipe from home remodels. I also pick up quite a bit at rummage sales and auctions. Picking trash is legal as long as you are not trespassing.
   If you are buying scrap make sure you are getting a good deal. Know the going rate and if you can bring a fish scale to check the weight.

2. # 1 standard. Good price clean unpainted un soldered

   STRIP
   Try to strip any coated wire you can. This greatly increases the value. I sit and strip while watching movies. House wire is easy to strip. I use a razor knife to slit the coating and pull out the wire. Some wire gets quite messy.

3. @ 2 scrap Paint, solder, Fine gauge wire

   SEPARATE.
   Sort your scrap into types. Best price is shiny new clean copper. next best price is #1 standard. no paint or solder and a decent thickness, not the fine braided stuff in extension cords. #2 is next. This is all other copper fine braid, painted, Soldered pipe whatever. Dead last is coated. Stuff not worth the effort to strip like coax cable, phone cable, junk.
   IF YOU DO NOT sort your copper the yard will classify all of your scrap as the least valuable in the lot. I learned this the hard way my first trip. If copper is 4.00 a lb for #1 coated would be about .20 a pound so if you have a little coated in the lot that is a big loss for you.

4. Plastic coated. Least value. Strip it if you can.

   RESEARCH.
   Check around for the going rate on copper. Right now Nov 2008, copper is in the dumps. I am saving mine until the price rebounds.
   My favorite site is www.metalprices.com

5. TURN IT IN.
   Find scrap buyers in your area. call around for the best price and/or closest. Take your separated scrap in if the price is right and cash in.

Tips & Warnings

• Bring your ID when you turn it in. most places check to prevent theft

• every spring I buy myself new fishing gear, poles tackle and my license in 2007 I cashed in $300 worth in one trip.

• Some people burn the coating off of wire. I don't like the smoke and if you get a fine, you most certainly won't make any money.

Resources

• my favorite price resource