Can I Recycle Stripped Copper Wire at a Scrap Yard?

There are plenty of scrap yards to choose from in Indiana, but not all of them recycle metal. If you have stripped copper wire to dispose of, be sure you find a scrap metal yard that accepts it before hitting the road with your freight. Continue reading to learn more about recycling stripped wire copper, including Indy’s leading choice for scrap metal recycling services.

Copper Recycling Indianapolis Indiana 1-888-586-5322
Copper Recycling Indianapolis Indiana 1-888-586-5322

The Value of Copper

Copper is one of the Earth’s most valuable natural resources. The metal contains so many beneficial properties, including high thermal and electrical conductivity. These properties make copper a highly applicable material for all sorts of industries and uses, including manufacturing, plumbing, building, construction, electronics, art, and more! The value of copper continues to increase in terms of applications. As for the metal market, the price of copper varies depending on certain factors, such as type, demand, macroeconomics, and more.

Regardless of its current value, copper is always a highly sought-after metal among scrap yards. Copper can be 100% recycled over and over again, without jeopardizing its natural properties. You can expect to get paid for recycling copper, so long as you choose the right scrap yard and prepare your freight accordingly.

How to Recycle Stripped Copper Wiring

When it comes to making the most money from recycling copper, the brighter the color, the better. Additionally, you can stand to make more profit it your copper wiring is already stripped of its insulation. Copper wiring conducts electricity, so it needs to be insulated. Because the insulation does not have any repurposing value, it cannot be recycled, and therefore, many places do not accept it. Some do accept insulated copper wire but pay less for it.

Stripped copper wiring, on the other hand, can be recycled. Here’s how:

► Contact an Indianapolis scrap metal recycling center to request a quote for your copper.

► Accept their offer and schedule a time for drop off.

► Drop your scrap copper off at their designated collection campus.

► Get paid for your scrap copper.

*If you have an substantial load of scrap copper, the scrap yard may provide haul-away service.

Tips for Stripping Copper Wiring

If you are recycling scrap copper wiring for a cash payout, it is in your best interest to strip the wiring of its insulation to maximize your profit. Purchase high quality wire strippers at a home improvement retailer and do it by hand. It is possible to use a blowtorch to melt off copper wire insulation, but this method is not recommended. It can cause noxious fumes in the surrounding communities, which can upset upper respiratory systems, alarm neighbors, and pollute the air. If you are not up for the labor-intensive job of removing insulation from copper wiring, it is recommended to just recycle the wiring as-is.

Are you looking for a local scrap metal recycling yard that will take your copper wiring, with or without insulation? Contact Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to get paid cash on the spot for recycling copper in Indianapolis, Indiana. We offer FREE junk car and heavy machinery removal, too!

Related Posts:

Tips for Stripping Copper Wire for Scrap Metal
The Environmental Benefits of Recycling Copper
Where To Look For Scrap Copper

Garden City Iron and Metal 1-888-586-5322
Garden City Iron and Metal 1-888-586-5322

Tips for Stripping Copper Wire for Scrap Metal

Copper is very popular and always in high demand in the scrap metal industry. Because of its various beneficial innate properties, copper is an incredibly useful, and therefore valuable, metal in our society. For these reasons, you can easily make some extra cash by scrapping copper materials at local metal and iron recycling center. Copper wire is one of the more prevalent versions of scrap copper out there, and easy to come by. Just be sure you know how to strip copper wiring safely, and in a way that retains its scrap value.

Continue reading to learn some different methods for stripping down copper wire, including how to determine which method is best for your metal scrapping endeavors.

Indianapolis Scrap Wire Buyers
Indianapolis Scrap Wire Buyers 1-888-586-5322

Assessing Your Wire Stripping Needs

To start, you will need a type of tool for stripping wire. Most people simply use wire strippers, however, these tools come in a wide range of sizes and prices. You can get a cheap one that works just fine, or a heavy duty one as much as $500 or more. So, before you go out and purchase a new wire stripping tool, first determine how much copper wire you plan on stripping, now and in the future. This will tell you which type of tool will meet your scrapping needs best.

100 Pounds or Less Per Month = Pliers or Handheld Stripper

More Than 100 Pounds Per Month = A Tabletop Wire Stripper

1000 Pounds or More Per Month = Electric Wire Strippers

All of these tools can be found at your local home improvement or hardware store. Prices vary depending on retailer, brand, make, model, and more. Talk to a sales representative for a brief description on the best practices for using the tool you choose for your metal scrapping projects.

Tips You Can Use When Stripping

When hand-stripping, many people might recommend applying heat to the wiring to make the insulation more pliable, and therefore, easier to remove. However, take note that you should NEVER BURN copper wiring to make removal easier. This will only serve to injure you and damage the integrity of the ore.

Instead, use the natural sun to soften the outer insulation. Simply place your copper wiring outdoors in the sunshine, and leave it there during the warmest and sunniest parts of the day. Before the sun sets, collect your wiring and begin your hand stripping while they are at their most pliable.

If you are dealing with bulk copper wiring, and choose to procure a tabletop stripping machine, be sure you read through the manual and learn how to use it before getting started. Without the proper mechanical knowledge, you can potentially injure or maim yourself. You can find further tutorials on using such machines, online.

How to Recycle Scrap Electrical Wiring in Indiana

Call Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to sell scrap copper for cash in Central and Southern Indiana. Our Indianapolis metal recycling professionals pay cash on the spot for both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, including junk cars, automotive parts, appliances, construction equipment, motorized farming equipment, and more. Request a free estimate for your scrap metal, today.

Garden City Iron and Metal 1-888-586-5322
Garden City Iron and Metal 1-888-586-5322