Copper is among the most valuable metals available when it comes to scrap recycling. With an infinite recyclable life, copper is used and reused in motors, computers, construction, industrial machinery and more. At Action Metal Recyclers, we answer questions about copper recycling every single day. With over 50 years of experience and 10 convenient scrap metal recycling locations across Queensland, we’ve compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions to help you get the best value for your copper scrap.
What Types of Copper Do You Accept?
We accept a wide range of copper materials, from household items to industrial equipment. Common items include copper wire and cable, copper tubing and pipes, electric motors from industrial fans, blowers, pumps, machine tools, power tools, and appliances like washing machines and clothes dryers. We also buy fridge compressors from air conditioning units, refrigerators and freezers, which contain valuable copper windings inside a steel shell. Whether you have bare copper wire, insulated cable, or copper components from demolished buildings, we’ll assess and purchase your material.
How Much is Your Copper Worth?
The prices you receive depend largely on the grade of scrap copper you deliver and the current price of copper on the International Metal Exchange. Copper grades vary significantly based on purity and impurities. The cleanest grade is Copper Bright and Shiny, also called Millberry, which refers exclusively to bare, uncoated and unalloyed wire or cable no thinner than 1.2mm in thickness. This copper must be free from paint, impurities or signs of tarnishing and commands the highest prices.
Copper Bright, sometimes called Candy or number one Copper, includes buzz bars, copper tubing, clean copper sheet and hair wire thinner than 1.2mm in diameter. Clean copper tubing qualifies as Copper Bright as long as it’s free of fittings, insulation, paint and solder, with only trace amounts of oxidation acceptable. Copper Burnt, also known as Birchcliff or number two copper, has a dirtier appearance and includes various unalloyed wire, pipe or solid copper with solder, paint or coating, with minimum copper content of 94-96%. Copper Insulated Wire consists of clean, unalloyed copper wire or cable covered in plastic or rubber insulation, though it pays less than bare copper due to processing requirements.
One of the main factors in grading any metal is the level of impurities. Impurities for copper include brass fittings, steel cords, solder welding, plastic coating, lead armour or other attachments used when the product is manufactured. Obviously the fewer attachments, the cleaner the copper, and the higher the value of your copper scrap. Since different levels of impurities give your copper a different classification, it’s a good idea to drop into one of our sites with a sample to obtain an accurate quote from one of our experts.
Why Choose Action Metal Recyclers?
We pride ourselves on offering competitive prices backed by our state-of-the-art processing technology. Our friendly, approachable staff are experts at grading copper and provide transparent pricing. There is no better team to choose for copper scrap metal recycling.
As a privately owned Australian company with over 50 years in the scrap metal industry, we offer flexible payment options including cash, cheque and EFT. With multiple sites across Queensland open Monday to Friday from 7:00am to 4:30pm and Saturday from 7:00am to 11:30am, we’re your local copper recycling experts. Contact your nearest Action Metal Recyclers location today to find out what your copper is worth.
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