If you’re reading this blog post, chances are you have some scrap copper to get rid of! You probably want to know how much it’s worth and how to get the best scrap metal price. From copper pipe to hot water cylinders and TPS to clean copper wire—you can sell all your copper scrap metal at Endless.
What copper can I scrap?
When it comes to scrap metal recycling, copper is a non-ferrous metal with a high value. Copper is found in various items, including power cables, generators, motors, and transformers. It is also used to make electronics and electrical components. In homes and buildings, pipes, wiring, and even decor may contain copper. Other uses include industrial machinery, vehicles, and coins.
Due to demand, copper tends to hold its value nicely, but prices do vary from week to week. Check out this list of common items sold as copper scrap below; you might just find that you have some items to convert to cash:
- Copper hot water cylinders
- Copper pipes
- Copper electrical cable or wire
- TPS cable
- Copper flashings
- Copper busbar
- Copper guttering and downpipes
- Copper granules
- Electric motors and radiators
- Copper alternators
- Clean copper wire
How is copper graded and priced?
So, you have a mighty handsome piece of copper to sell? You’ll want to know how much of a banger it really is. Copper is weighed and paid for by the kilogram. The golden rule is that the “cleaner” it is, the higher the grade, and the higher the price you’ll get. For example:
- When it comes to copper pipes, these are graded depending on joins, bends, paint, corrosion, welds, soldering, and brass fittings. If your copper pipes are free of all of these, it’s considered “clean”, and you’ll be paid a premium.
- While copper cable is often covered in a plastic PVC sheet, this type of copper is graded based on the percentage of copper recovery for the cable. So, if you have cable with sheet fully intact (not stripped clean), you’ll likely have bright and shiny copper. Bright and shiny copper is the most valuable grade, as it’s 99.99 % the real deal.
- When it comes to grading motors, radiators, starters, and alternators, we offer a fixed price per kilogram as these all have other metals connected to the copper parts. Processing these items requires more work, so you’ll get paid a lower price.
How to upgrade and make more money from your copper scrap?
A bit of elbow grease won’t go amiss when it comes to getting the best bang for your buck. If you’re willing to do prep work, sorting and safely cutting your copper scrap is the best and easiest way to increase its value.
To sort your copper scrap, start by separating the high-value grades from the more average ones. Kickstart the process by sorting items; group those with the most copper and those with the least. You can then sort these piles based on the type of copper—i.e., clean copper pipe, dirty copper pipe (pipe with attachments, joins, and soldering), wiring, engines, or any other bits and bobs. Here are a few other tips to make sure you get the best price possible:
- When cutting copper pipe, you need to safely take off any metal ends. Keep an eye out for any impurities, brass ends, soldering, and lugs for removal.
- For cables with PVC covering, if you can safely strip the cable/wire and remove the PVC, this can fetch you a higher price.
- Hot water cylinders can be sold as two commodities if you can remove the steel casing from the copper unit.
- Don’t forget to remove the plugs from any cables and strip the electric copper windings from your electric motor. From there, you’re good to go!
Got some scrap copper that you’re not sure about? Get in touch!
You can call or flick us an email to find out if we can take your scrap copper. Here at Endless, we pride ourselves on paying you the best scrap metal price available at the time of purchase. We update our prices every Monday, so get in touch with our team Monday to Friday (7am to 5pm), and on Saturdays (7am to 1pm) to get the most accurate and up-to-date pricing.