How to Recycle Insulated Copper Wire

An example of one type of insulated copper wire commonly recycled.

Copper is one of the top three metals produced in the world. Copper is turned into insulated copper wire. Insulated copper wire is used throughout the home. Electrical wire, computer cables, charging cords, and wire from appliances all contain insulated copper wire.



Insulated copper wire is graded using a system developed by metal foundries. Recycling centers and copper-chopping shops pay more depending upon the gauge and condition of the copper wire. Recycling centers grade insulated copper wire lower; the casing should be removed to get a better price.

Things You'll Need

• Wire stripping tool
• Bucket with a lid

Instructions

1. Strip the insulated copper wire to remove the plastic coating. Some recycling centers will take insulated copper wire with the plastic coating, however you are given less money for it. Place the wire stripper around the wire. Squeeze the tool to cut through the plastic coating. Drag the tool down the length of the wire to remove large sections of coating at a time. Use a utility knife to strip larger gauge wire.

2. Roll the wire into manageable sized rolls. Copper wire is sold by the pound and making the wire lengths smaller will increase the amount that can be stored.

3. Store copper wire rolls in a bucket with a lid. Store the bucket in a dry place to prevent the copper from oxidizing. Copper will oxidize when it is exposed to moisture. Oxidized copper is not worth as much as copper in good condition.

4. Take the copper to a recycling center or copper-chopping shop in your area. An employee will weigh the copper and grade it. You will be paid by the pound for copper wire.

Tips & Warnings

• Selling insulated copper wire to a chopping facility is more profitable than selling to a general metal recycling center.

• Some recycling centers will not take wire with the plastic still on.

• Bring a photo ID to the recycling center.

• Never burn off the outer coating of copper wire; thermoplastic is highly toxic when inhaled.

• Recycling centers may refuse copper wire that has been burnt to deter thieves.

References

• Action Recycling Center: Copper Recycling

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish