Skip to content
Recycling Center Near Me

Copper Recycling Near Me

Copper is usually the highest-paying common scrap metal. Clean, stripped copper wire and pipe (often graded 'bare bright' or #1) pays the most; insulated wire and dirty or mixed copper pays less. Sell to a scrap yard, bring photo ID, and call for the current price before you go.

How to prepare copper for recycling

  1. Separate copper from other metals — reddish-orange, non-magnetic and heavy.
  2. Strip insulation from wire if you have time, or ask the yard how much less insulated wire pays.
  3. Remove steel fittings, solder blobs and other contamination from pipe.
  4. Keep copper tubing, wire and fittings in separate containers if the yard grades them separately.

What usually isn't accepted

  • Copper taken from utility or telecom equipment without proof of ownership
  • Painted or coated copper that can't be graded (it may be accepted at a lower price)

Will I get paid, or is there a fee?

Copper pays by the pound and its price moves with the global market. Because it is valuable, many states require photo ID and may restrict cash payments for copper. Ask the yard.

Common questions about copper recycling

What is 'bare bright' copper?

It is clean, uncoated, unalloyed copper wire with no insulation — the top grade, and the one that pays the most.

Is it worth stripping the insulation?

Stripped copper pays more per pound, but stripping takes time. Ask the yard for both prices and compare it to how long stripping would take you.

Cities with copper recycling