How to Get the Best Scrap Copper Wire Prices

Thanks to high demand and a finite supply, scrap copper wire prices have grown at a steady pace over the years. But how do you know what you’ve got is valuable?

We’ve broken it all down in a quick guide for you below, including how to maximise the value of scrap copper wire, how its grade affects price, and how to make sure the time is right to sell.

Strip Your Copper Wire

For the best price, you should always strip your wire of its insulation before taking a visit to our local scrap yard. But please note, you should never try to burn the insulation off. Not only is this damaging to the environment, but it will also affect your final price.

How to Strip Copper Wire 

• Heat it Up: Place your wire in a black box and either leave it in the sun, or use a low-temperature oven, until the insulation softens and you can remove it easily.
• Buy a Wire Stripper Machine: There are wire stripping machines available if you are looking to sell your scrap in bulk. But each machine on the market will have different capabilities depending on the size and type of copper wire you want to strip.
• Use the Handheld Method: If you only have a small amount of copper wire, you can buy handheld wire strippers or razor blades that are made for removing insulation.

Know Your Scrap Copper Grades

Scrap copper grades are a big part of how we decide your final price. The better the grade (or quality), the higher the price…

1. Bare Bright Copper: The most valuable grade of scrap copper, bare bright copper takes after its name with its shiny appearance and is usually clean/free of insulation.
2. #1 Insulated Wire: Clean, unalloyed, uncoated and untinned.
3. #2 Insulated Wire: Unalloyed, coated copper wire insulated with either heavy, double or plastic insulation.
4. Burnt Copper: Copper wire that has been exposed to heat, which will generally return a lower value.

Time Your Trading Correctly

Always research current scrap copper wire prices (either online or by calling us on 01942 883 322) as markets fluctuate all the time due to supply and demand. 

It goes without saying too, that the more scrap copper wire you have, the higher your final price will be. If you have enough time and ample storage, why not save some up first and, depending on the grade, you could walk away with a higher profit! 

Weigh-It-In With KAS For the Best Price

With all of our scrap metal prices based on the global standard, the London Metal Exchange (LME), we can guarantee you’ll always walk away from our scrap yard with the best price at the time of trading.

For the most competitive prices in the area, weigh-it-in with KAS. 

Serving All Areas of the North West

From Bolton and Chorley to Wigan and Preston, our experienced scrap metal merchants are based in Atherton – making us well-positioned to serve Lancashire and Greater Manchester, as well as their surrounding areas. Visit us at M46 0RY today!

Other Areas Covered:

• Astley
• Leigh
• Salford
• Tyldesley
• Westhoughton  
• Worsley

KAS Metal Trading Guarantees…

• The very best scrap metal prices, always based on the LME.
• Speedy turnarounds for busy tradespeople.
• Same-day payments before 4pm. 

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