Selling copper can make you a lot more money than selling other metals. You can find copper in junkyards, in landfills, inside old appliances, such as refrigerators built before 1960.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Distinguish the Different Types of Copper
Step 1. Sell copper components
- Grade 1 copper items include copper cutouts, armored busbars, pipes, punches, commutator components, and electrical wiring that are at least 1.6mm thick.
- Grade 2 copper components include metal alloys that contain at least 96% copper. Examples include pipes with non-copper appendages, copper electrical cables with insulation, burnt cables and filaments.
- Grade 3 copper components include copper items less than 1.6mm thick.
Step 2. Sell some electrical cables
- Higher grade electrical cables have a single insulating layer.
- Those of lower grade have a double layer of insulation.
Step 3. Sell some copper scrap
Break down anything weighing more than 10 kg and separate the copper components from the steel ones. You can find copper components inside electric motors, alternators, starters, inductors, resistors, transformers, and other electrical equipment
Step 4. Sell copper alloys
- The most popular copper alloys are brass and bronze.
- Cupronickel, Inconel and Monel are rarer alloys, but you may get a better price from them than brass or bronze.
Method 2 of 2: Selling Copper to a Scrap Depot
Step 1. Use a search engine to find used metal dealers in your area
They are companies that deal with metal recycling.
Step 2. Call more than one asking for the price they offer
But don't judge them only on the basis of prices, but also on the professionalism they show on the phone.
Step 3. Divide the copper you want to sell into different categories
If you cannot distinguish the different categories it will mean that the deposit holder will offer you the lowest price.
Try to improve the "presentability". For example, if a copper pipe has soldered joints, cut them away. Uncontaminated copper is worth more
Step 4. Transport the copper to the depot
The holder will weigh it and pay you based on the weight.
- Before going to the scrap yard, collect at least 10 kg of material. A larger amount will allow you to get better prices.
- When the dealer weighs your copper, check carefully. If there are any cables, make sure they don't come out of the scale.
Step 5. Get paid
Many junk yards cannot pay in cash, but they often have ATMs that will allow you to get your bills paid.
Advice
- Scrap yards usually don't pay much for copper dust or debris; unless you manage to merge it, creating money elements, you won't even want to try to sell them.
- Ask the depot owner what the grade of your copper wires is. Each retailer may have different needs.
- Ask the retailer if he would prefer the insulation to be removed before selling.
Warnings
- Do not burn the wires to try to remove the insulation material.
- Do not sell copper to retailers who use portable scales to weigh the material. They are not adequate tools, and you may not be getting the right compensation.
- Don't steal copper and then resell it. Always use honest means.
