You might run into a bunch of wires and pipes when renovating a kitchen or even cleaning out your basement. The first thing to come to mind might be “junk,” but hold that thought – what you’ve likely found is the King of Scrap Metal: copper.
Copper isn’t just shiny and versatile; it’s a cash magnet at scrap metal recycling yards. Your friends at M&M Recycling, for example, are prepared to pay top dollar for your scrap copper metal. In this brief article brought to you by M&M Recycling, we’ll explore why this reddish-gold metal is so coveted, the different types you might encounter, and how to turn your “trash” into the biggest treasure.

Why Is Copper So Valuable?

We can smelt down copper’s value into three main points:

• Conductivity: It’s second only to silver in conducting electricity and heat. This makes copper essential for wiring, electronics, and renewable energy tech.
• Durability: Unlike many metals, copper can be recycled infinitely without losing quality. In fact, it’s estimated that nearly 80% of all copper ever mined is still in use today!
• Demand: From smartphone producers to solar panel manufacturers, global industries crave copper. Mining copper is costly, so recycled copper fills the gap.

Meet the Copper Family: Types of Copper Scrap

Copper is valuable, but some copper is more valuable than others. Scrap yards grade the metal based on purity and form, and we’ve got a simple cheat sheet for you here:

• Bare Bright Copper: Shiny, uncoated, and untarnished, this copper fetches the highest prices. Keep it clean – no paint, solder, or corrosion!
• No. 1 Copper: Common in thick pipes or bus bars, this copper is clean and unalloyed with minimal oxidation. Also gets top tier pricing.
• No. 2 Copper: These will have some solder, paint, or light corrosion. Think old plumbing pipes with joints or fittings. Lower priced than No. 1 copper, but scrape off coatings to potentially upgrade it!
• Copper Wire: If your copper’s insulated, then it’s going to be graded lower.
• Copper Pipes: Think plumbing pipes. If clean, you’re likely looking at No. 1 copper; if dirty or soldered, then No. 2.
• Copper Bus Bars: These thick rectangular strips common in electrical equipment can fetch high value if clean and uncoated.

Pro Tips to Maximize Your Copper Cash

Now that you’ve sorted your haul, here’s how to boost your payout at the scrap metal recycling facility:

• Separate, Separate, Separate. Mixing grades (like tossing #1 with #2) means you’ll get the lower price for the lot.
• Remove solder, insulation, or steel fittings. A little scrubbing can turn #2 into #1!
• Use magnets to check for and remove ferrous metals like steel and iron.

Our final tip won’t increase the value of your copper but it’s even more important: stay safe and legal. Wear gloves and goggles when handling sharp scraps, and never strip materials from public property or active sites. The scrap metal buyer can know if the scraps are stolen – a serious crime!