Copper wire scrap is used in recycling smelting and industrial metal recovery operations.
Key Types and Grades
#1 Copper Wire (Bare Bright): Unalloyed, uncoated, and unalloyed wire, free of oxidation, tar, or insulation.
#2 Copper Wire: Copper wire that is oxidized, tinned, or contains slight impurities, typically with a copper content of 94-98%.
Insulated Copper Wire (ICW): Coated wires that are often graded by their copper recovery percentage, such as 35% (computer/power cords) or 70-75% (ROMEX).
Value and Recycling
Pricing: As of early 2026, #1 bare bright copper wire scrap is valued at approximately $5.00/lb or around R167.50 per kg in South Africa.
Processing: While stripping insulation increases the value, thinner wires (less than 16 gauge) may not be worth the labor to strip, according to YouTube.
Recycling Process: Scrap is collected, stripped of insulation, melted at high temperatures, and refined to create new, high-purity copper products, says YouTube.
Tips for Maximizing Value
Ensure the wire is clean and free of insulation, plastic, and other metals.
Remove any soldered tips or, if coated, separate them into the #2 category.
Use a wire stripper to remove insulation from thick cables, as the bare wire is worth significantly more, advises Cohen Recycling.
