How to Recycle Copper Cable
Copper is a non-ferrous metal, meaning that it's a metal that is not derived from iron. It is commonly used in electrical wires and pipes for plumbing in its purest form, without any other metals or alloys. Demand for copper is increasing, commensurate with its usage today, thus recycling it may generate a small profit for you. The price you'll receive for copper will be based on what the copper was used for and its condition.
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Things You'll Need
- Knife or blade
- Copper wiring and insulated electrical cable
- Flour
- Vinegar
- Salt
- Cloth
Instructions
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Strip any external tubing or wire from the copper. This will increase the price that you'll receive for the copper, since it means less work for the buyer. Typically copper wires are found inside insulated electrical cable. Use a knife or a blade to scrape away the insulation from around the wires. Skip to step two for other scrap copper.
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2
Clean the copper. You can do this easily by pouring some vinegar, flour and salt over it and rubbing it with a cloth. Again, the better shape the copper is in, the higher the price it will bring.
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3
Use your local phone book, or search online to find recycling companies in your area. Call them first to make sure that they accept copper. More than a few of these companies should recycle scrap copper as well as the usual paper and glass.
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References
- Photo Credit copper cable image by Witold Krasowski from Fotolia.com
