Scrap Copper Recycling
Scrap copper recycling has become more and more popular as of late, due to the metal’s many advantageous qualities. Now considered one of the most valuable non ferrous metals to sell, good-quality copper can hold up to 95% of its original value, a much higher statistic than most other metals. Copper can also be infinitely recycled without losing any of its original properties, such as its high conductivity and excellent durability for example. Therefore, scrap copper is always in demand.
This is where Kas Metal Trading comes in! Keep reading to learn more about scrap copper recycling, as well as our local scrap copper recycling yard.
What Types Of Copper Can Be Recycled?
All types of scrap copper can be recycled! Thanks to its infinitely recyclable properties, this process can occur over and over, to ensure we get the most out of your scrap copper. Some of the most common types of scrap copper include, but are not limited to, the following.
Scrap Copper Pipes
Scrap copper pipes are often found in old plumbing, heating and fire sprinkler systems, as well as the valves and fittings used in copper pipework.
Most of the time, brass fittings and tin soldering is adjoined to copper pipes – this must be removed before you bring your scrap copper to us for recycling.
Scrap Copper Wires
Common scrap copper that anyone who works in the construction trade, particularly builders or electricians, may come into contact with includes copper wires. As copper wires are widely used across the majority of electronic devices and common household appliances, there is a high chance there will be a large amount of scrap copper wires that can be recovered after a building has been demolished for example.
However, before the scrap copper wires can be recycled, they must be stripped of any insulating materials within them. That’s why, if you want to find the highest grade of scrap copper to sell to scrap metal buyers like us, bare copper cables are your best bet! At our local scrap copper recycling yard, the types of scrap copper cable we buy include: household cable, low-grade/armoured cable and singles or high-grade cables.
For an in-depth guide on scrap copper cable, click here.
Scrap Copper Roofing Sheets & Panels
With the vast majority of copper roofing containing recycled scrap copper, the sheets and panels used for roofing are a guaranteed source of scrap copper.
However, to get a better price for your scrap, it’s best to ensure any build-up of paint or tar on the sheets and panels is removed as much as practically possible before the recycling process can begin.
What Is The Best Grade Of Copper To Scrap?
As with all other scrap metals, copper that is as free from impurities as possible, as well as completely separate from all other adjoining materials, will guarantee you a higher price due to better quality and a simpler recycling process.
Scrap metal buyers grade scrap copper based on its overall copper content, which helps to determine the price you will receive.
Bare Bright Copper
Known as the ‘leading grade of scrap copper’ within the scrap metal recycling industry, bare bright copper is the best grade of copper to scrap. Bare bright copper is reserved for uncoated and unalloyed copper wires that are completely separate from any insulating materials. This bumps the quality of your scrap copper right up, as well as simplifies the recycling procedure, allowing for minimal processing.
#1 Copper
Bare bright copper is closely followed by #1 copper, which classifies its scrap copper as having minimal amounts of oxidation and corrosion, as well as separation from other adjoining materials.
Some common examples of #1 copper items include, but are not limited to, high-quality copper pipes, bus bars, clippings and uncoated copper wires that scrap metal buyers don’t deem to be high-quality enough to be classified as bare bright copper.
#2 Copper
#2 copper is often characterised by scrap metal merchants by its imperfect and unclean appearance. Items classified as #2 copper includes unalloyed and uncoated scrap copper that has not been separated from any adjoining materials. For example, scrap copper pipes that still have paint or solder on their surface.
Insulated Copper Wire
Less valuable than other types of scrap copper, insulated copper wire may not get you the best price, as the insulating material must be removed before recycling – this lengthens the process, making it more complex.
However, the price you receive for your insulated copper wire can depend on the degree of insulation, whether the wire is alloyed or coated, and whether it is separated from other materials.
What Are The Benefits Of Recycling Scrap Copper?
There are many benefits to scrap metal recycling in general, but there are also many advantages associated with scrap copper recycling specifically. This includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Recycling copper requires over 85% less energy when compared to manufacturing copper from scratch.
- Copper produces approximately 65% less CO2 emissions.
- Scrap copper recycling reduces waste sent to landfill.
- Landfill waste diversion as a result of recycling scrap copper preserves natural resources and protects wildlife/habitats.
- Recycling and reusing scrap copper reduces the need to mine virgin copper, lowering CO2 emissions further.
Scrap Copper Prices
Before copper can be recycled, it must be sorted. High-grade copper requires the least amount of processing. While lower-grade copper may require additional treatments, such as removing impurities and separating the metal from any adjoining materials, it is still valuable. Whether you bring in bare bright copper or #2 copper, our scrap copper recycling experts have the knowledge and experience to pull out the scrap best suited for recycling and use this information to accurately price your copper.
Here at Kas Metal Trading, our scrap copper prices are always based on the world centre for industrial metal pricing, hedging and trading – the London Metal Exchange (LME). The majority of all non-ferrous metal business is transacted via their platforms.
This ensures you’ll always get the best, most competitive price paid for your scrap metal, based on the current market.
For a full guide to the LME, click here.
Recycle Your Scrap Copper With Kas
If you have any spare scrap copper lying around, visit our safe and reliable local scrapyard today to weigh-it-in with Kas – earn some extra cash, free up some space on the way to your next job and do your bit for the environment.
Give us a call, email or visit our local scrapyard today! You can find us across Atherton, Preston, Leigh, Wigan, Tyldesley, Bolton, Worsley, Lancashire, Chorley, Westhoughton and Salford. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to keep up to date with the latest company updates and industry news.
