How to Recycle Scrap Wire

Copper is a limited natural resource that can be preserved through recycling scrap wires.

Scrap wiring can be both from home electrical installations and electronics such as computers, audio and appliances. Scrap wiring is recyclable whether it has a plastic coating or not. The metal inside, which usually contains copper, has value both for recycling and reusing. Many nonprofits also have their own recycling programs, so if you donate scrap wiring to them they can sell the copper.

Instructions

1. Take any plastic-coated wiring to a store that recycles electronics. Office Depot, Staples and Dell all have in-store electronics recycling programs. If they're not able to directly reuse the wiring, they'll send it to a comprehensive recycling center that will.

2. Donate both plastic-coated and bare wiring to the Boy Scouts or other nonprofits in your area that have recycling programs. The Boy Scouts and other groups like it sort the wires for recycling and reprocessing as a community service project.

3. Put any uncovered copper wiring in your curbside recycling if you have it in your area. Otherwise, drop off all the wiring at your local recycling center for processing. They may not recycle the plastic coating, but they will be able to melt down and reuse the metals inside.

References

• EPA: Where Can I Donate or Recycle My Old Computer and Other Electronic Products?

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish