Copper Recycling
Scrap Copper Tubing #1
Scrap copper #1 tubing is the highest grade of scrap copper tubing sold to scrap metal recycling yards. Copper #1 tubing has a shiny look to it much like a new penny. Copper #1 will not have any green tinge to it, nor will it have dirt, grease or grim on it.
Typical usage; Plumbing piping & water line pipes
Scrap Copper Tubing #2
Scrap copper #2 tubing is different than copper number one tubing in a many ways. The most noticeable difference between the two classifications of scrap copper is that copper #2 tubing does not have a shiny look to it. Scrap copper #2 tubing will also be old looking in appearance, and will usually have solder joints on it, and typically will be dirty.
Typical usage; Plumbing, water lines, AC Lines.
Scrap Copper Sheet
Scrap copper sheet is a thin gauge of copper and typically comes in a sheet form. Hence the name copper sheet. It will either be shiny in appearance, dull or sometimes it will even be green from oxidation. The green oxidation tells you that the grade of copper is a much lesser grade than found in copper #1 tubing and thus commands a lower price at scrap metal recycling yards.
Typical usage; Roofing in high-end residential homes and roofing or flashing on commercial buildings.
Scrap Copper Bright & Shiny
Scrap bright and shiny copper is just likes its namesake. The solid copper strands must be “bright & shiny in appearance to get this highly coveted designation. Bright and shiny is a by-product of stripping MCM wire, or Copper Insulated 85 % from it’s plastic casing.
Scrap Copper Insulated Wire Number 1
Copper Insulated Wire 85%
MCM scrap copper wire is the highest grade of copper wire on the market and is used primarily in commercial applications. It is classified as MCM because there is 85% of copper content versus only 15 % insulation, or insulated jacket around the copper wires. MCM will have individual strands of wire where the copper strand is larger than a pencil lead. MCM is extremely heavy and very rigid making it difficult to work with.
Typical usage; Commercial underground wiring, electrical panels.
Copper Insulated Wire 80%
80% Insulated scrap copper wire (INS 80%) is the second highest grade of copper wire. It is classified as 80% because there is an 80% copper content versus only 20 % insulation or jacket around the copper wires. Insulated copper wire 80% will have individual strands of wire where the copper strand is larger than a pencil lead.
Typical usage; Commercial wiring in buildings, commercial equipment wiring, electrical panels
Copper Insulated Wire 75%
75% Insulated scrap copper wire (INS 75%) is the third highest grade of copper wire. It is classified as 75% because there is 75% copper content versus only 25 % insulation or jacket around the copper wires. Insulated copped wire 75% will have solid individual strands of copper wire.
Typical usage; Commercial wiring in buildings, commercial equipment wiring, electrical panels
Copper Insulated Wire 70%
70% Insulated scrap copper wire (INS 70%) is the fourth highest grade of copper wire. It is classified as 70% because there is 70% copper content versus only 30 % insulation or insulated jacket around the copper wires. Insulated copped wire 70% will hold a shape when bend you bend it.
Typical usage; Commercial wiring in buildings, commercial equipment wiring, electrical panels
Copper Insulated Romex Wire 65%
Scrapromex wire has multiple grading types. The older romex wire will have an outer jacket that is silver in color. Romex wire will have solid strands of wire inside the outer jackets.
Typical usage; household wiring
Scrap Copper Insulated Wire Number 2
Copper Insulated Wire 55%
Scrap copper insulated wire 55% is a lower grade of insulated wire. It has 55 percent copper content versus 45 percent plastic coating. When you bend this wire it will not hold its shape like insulated number one copper wire does
Typical usage; household wiring
Copper Insulated Wire 50%
Scrap copper insulated wire 50% is a lower grade of insulated wire. It has equal amounts of copper and plastic insulation. The reason it is called 50% is that the recovery of copper is only 50% of the entire weight of the product.
Typical usage; Communication wire
Copper Insulated Wire 45%
Scrap copper insulated wire 45% is a lower grade of insulated wire. It has less copper content then the amount of plastic insulation used.
Typical usage; household wiring
Copper Insulated Wire 40%
Scrap copper insulated wire 40% is a lower grade of insulated wire. It has less copper content then the amount of plastic insulation used. It will typically have several strands of insulated copper wires inside another insulated jacket.
Typical usage; Extension chords without the ends
Copper Insulated Wire 35%
Scrap copper insulated wire 35% is a lower grade of insulated wire. It has less copper content then the amount of plastic insulation used in the product. It will typically have several strands of insulated copper wires inside another insulated jacket. The main difference between insulated 35% and insulated 40% is one will have the plug ends attached to it and the other will have the plug ends removed.
Typical usage; Extension chords with the ends attached
Copper Insulated Wire 30%
Scrap copper insulated wire 30% is a very low grade of copper insulated wire. It will have multiple insulated wires inside a larger insulated case. You will notice that there is a lot more insulation present than there is copper wire. The lower grades of insulated copper wire are noticeably different than the higher grades because the copper wires are very thin.
Typical usage; Under ground communication wire for large telecommunication companies
Copper Insulated Jelly Wire
Scrap copper insulated jelly wire is another very low grade of copper insulated wire. It will have multiple insulated wires inside a larger insulated case and it is defined by the jelly like nature of the smaller wires. Jelly wires will have a jelly like substance coating the smaller wires that make it less valuable.
Typical usage; Under ground communication wire for large telecommunication companies
Copper Insulated Harness Wire
Scrap harness wire is yet another low grade copper insulated wire. Harness wire can be found in many automobiles, trucks and large pieces of heavy commercial equipment. It is used to connect electrical components to the computer systems in many types of vehicles.
Typical usage; Connectors for automobiles, heavy equipment, boats, planes etc.
Copper Insulated Wire Christmas Lights
Scrap Christmas lights are the lowest grade of copper insulated wires. They can be brought into scrap yards with the lights attached and still have the same designation.
Typical usage; tree lights, exterior house lights
