All About Copper 

Copper's biggest claim to fame is probably the penny and lady liberty. Copper is known for its warm, rosy, hue and tendency to turn green as its components interact with the air. A less well-known fact about copper is that it was one of the earliest types of metal that our ancestors made into tools. Copper can be found in many common foods including shiitake mushrooms, Swiss chard, lobster, and even dark chocolate, which is a good thing because it is an essential nutrient. Another great thing about copper is that it is almost 100% recyclable. 

Copper Recycling 

Since copper is so recyclable, much of the copper in use today has been recycled. The first step in the recycling process is to gather scraps from scrap yards across the country. Copper scraps come in the form of sections of pipe, wires, door handles, roofing, and wiring. These scraps are gathered together and taken to a recycling plant. At the plant, they are processed and put through a machine that separates the copper from anything else that it might be encased in. When the copper has been separated from other materials, it will be graded and then sent to a rod mill, a machine that uses metal rods to break up material. Then the pulverized metal is melted down into rods that can be re-purposed. 

How and Where to Recycle Copper

Recycling copper costs less than mining virgin copper, because of this, selling scrap copper can be lucrative. Copper scrap often comes from demolitions and renovations, though it can also be found in other places. Knowing what kind of copper you have is helpful, if you are looking to sell, and will ensure that you get a fair price. Copper can be pure, or it can be a copper alloy. Copper that is clean and pure is worth the most, and copper that might have some oxidization, paint, or other substance clinging to it, is worthless. 

Copper scraps can be sold directly to a recycling plant that processes metal. Some buyers have listings online, showing the prices they will pay for different grades of copper, and others will meet with you in person to gauge what your scrap is worth. 

Recycling Copper Is Important 

Recycling copper helps preserve a finite resource and protects the environment from the sometimes devastating impact of further mining. By recycling copper, you can be a part of re-purposing a unique and beautiful metal. 

To learn more about copper recycling, reach out to a recycling company near you.