No. 2 Copper

No. 2 copper is unalloyed copper that does not meet No. 1 because of coating, solder, paint or heavier oxidation. Thin-wall tube, soldered pipe, painted copper and light-gauge wire below 1.6mm all sit here. It is still a high-value grade — it simply carries a recovery discount for what has to be removed at the mill.

Most domestic strip-outs produce No. 2 rather than No. 1, and that is normal. Hot water systems, old plumbing runs and roofing copper usually come in soldered or painted.

Sorting No. 1 out of a No. 2 pile is usually worth the time on any load above a few dozen kilos. If you are not sure where a piece sits, bring it in unsorted and we will grade it in front of you rather than guessing over the phone.