Copper

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

WHY US

FAQ

LOCATIONS

HOW MUCH IS YOUR COPPER WORTH?

The prices you can get will depend largely on the grade of scrap copper that you deliver and also the price of copper on the International Metal Exchange at the time.

One of the main factors of grading any metal is the level of impurities. Impurities for copper include things such as brass fitting, steel cords, solder welding, plastic coating, lead armour or other attachments that are used when the product is manufactured. Obviously the less attachments, the cleaner the copper, the higher the value of your Copper Scrap!

As different levels of impurities can 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 ACTION METAL RECYCLERS?

Copper Bright and Shiny (Millberry)

Also referred to as “Millberry”, it is the most valuable and high-paying copper grade. It refers exclusively to bare, uncoated and unalloyed wire or cable – no thinner than 1.2mm in thickness. Copper piping is not included within the classification. Copper wire must be stripped of insulation and other materials. Furthermore the copper must be free from any paint, impurities or signs of tarnishing. This includes any visible oxidation, and very negligible amounts of tarnishing on the copper are allowable.

Copper Bright (Candy or #1 Copper)

To be classified as Copper Bright, the copper should be comprised of buzz bars, copper tubing, clean copper sheet and hair wire which is wire of at less than 1.2mm in diameter. It should also be clean in appearance, unalloyed and uncoated. Clean copper tubing will be classified as Copper Bright as long as it is free of fittings, insulation, paint, solder, and other materials. In fact, most copper tubing and copper pipes can be of #1 grade providing they show few signs of corrosion and have their fittings removed. Trace amounts of oxidation on the tubing are generally acceptable.

Copper Burnt (Birchcliff or #2 copper)

This grade of copper can be identified by its somewhat dirty appearance. It should be comprised of various unalloyed wire, pipe or solid copper that has solder, paint or any kind of coating on it. Additionally, its minimum copper content should be 94-96%.

Copper Insulated Wire

Copper Insulated Wire consists of copper wire or cable which is clean and unalloyed. It will also be insulated in plastic or rubber. Though insulation does not need to be stripped, if it were the wire within should closely resemble ‘bright & shiny’ copper. Any unalloyed copper wire thinner than 1.6MM is classified as Low Grade Insulated Copper Wire – which includes heavy, double or plastic insulation. Low Grade Wire generally covers many common types of telecommunications wiring, data cables and coax cables.

Electric Motors

We recycle all types of electronic motors from industrial fans, blowers and pumps, machine tools, power tools, welders, washing machines, clothes dryers and more. This category can consist of miscellaneous motor assemblies and may contain armatures containing copper windings.

Fridge Compressors

Refrigeration compressors are used in air conditioning units, refrigerators, and freezers. They have copper windings inside a steel shell.

WHAT ELSE WE BUY

Aluminium

Stainless Steel

Lead

Steel

Radiators

Catalytic Converters

Brass

PROHIBITED AND DANGEROUS SCRAP

We have very strict guidelines around what you can and not include in your scrap metal because it may pose a significant risk to the health, safety, property or the environment.

Customers are restricted from dropping off the following dangerous goods or substances to any of our sites:

If in doubt about whether certain scrap is prohibited, you must check with the weight bridge office. All scrap deemed to be prohibited and found in our scrap metal bins or in your load will not be accepted at our sites and will be returned.