How much is scrap copper worth in Sydney?

It depends on the grade. Bright wire is worth the most, then clean No. 1 pipe, then No. 2, then cable by how much copper is in it. The rate moves with the copper market. Call or WhatsApp for today’s rate.

Is it worth stripping copper wire?

For thick cable, often yes, because stripped bright copper is the top grade. For thin cable the time rarely pays: bring it with the plastic on and it is graded on its copper content.

Do you buy copper pipe with the fittings still on?

Yes, as a lower grade. Cut the brass fittings and soldered ends off and the clean lengths go as No. 1 Copper, with the brass paid at the brass rate.

Do you buy copper from the public?

Yes. Drive in during opening hours with photo ID and your bank details. We weigh it in front of you and pay by EFT before you leave.

Scrap Copper in Sydney

Copper is the metal people bring us most, and the one where sorting makes the biggest difference to what it is worth. We buy nine copper grades, from bright stripped wire to car looms, and each one is priced on its own.

What sets the grade is what is attached to the copper and how clean it is. The guide below gets you from the pile in your shed to the right grade in a minute.

Get today’s rate on WhatsApp 0413 222 171

Bin of copper tube at the Shine Motor yard in Ingleburn

How to tell your copper apart

Bare wire, still shiny
Stripped, uncoated and bright, with no tarnish, plastic or solder.
- Bright Copper Wire
Clean pipe, busbar and solids
Clean copper tube and solids with the brass fittings and solder joints cut off.
- No. 1 Copper
Dull, green or brown with age
Copper that is free of other metals but tarnished or lightly oxidised, and pipe with solder still on.
- No. 2 Copper
Cable with the plastic still on
Graded on how much of its weight is copper: thin data and phone cable near 20%, appliance cords near 40%, heavy power cable 75 to 83%.
Wiring looms out of cars
Whole harnesses, plugs and all.
- Car Wire
Household odds and ends
Pots, ornaments and mixed household copper, with handles and steel parts off.
- Domestic Copper

What moves copper up or down a grade

Whatever is attached decides it. A length of clean pipe with one brass elbow still on is not No. 1 Copper until the elbow is cut off. Solder, paint and brass fittings each take copper down a grade, and cutting them off is usually a few minutes with a hacksaw.

Keep grades in separate bags or bins. A mixed bag is graded on what is actually in it, so bright wire thrown in with tarnished pipe ends up paid as No. 2.

Do not burn cable to get the copper out. Burnt wire is no longer bright copper, and burning cable is an offence. Strip it, or bring it with the insulation on and let the cable grades do the work.

Common questions

How much is scrap copper worth in Sydney?: It depends on the grade. Bright wire is worth the most, then clean No. 1 pipe, then No. 2, then cable by how much copper is in it. The rate moves with the copper market. Call or WhatsApp for today’s rate.
Is it worth stripping copper wire?: For thick cable, often yes, because stripped bright copper is the top grade. For thin cable the time rarely pays: bring it with the plastic on and it is graded on its copper content.
Do you buy copper pipe with the fittings still on?: Yes, as a lower grade. Cut the brass fittings and soldered ends off and the clean lengths go as No. 1 Copper, with the brass paid at the brass rate.
Do you buy copper from the public?: Yes. Drive in during opening hours with photo ID and your bank details. We weigh it in front of you and pay by EFT before you leave.

Getting today’s rate

Rates follow the metal market and change through the week. Send a photo on WhatsApp or call the yard, tell us roughly how much you have, and we will tell you the grade and today’s rate.

Or drive in to 8 Noonan Rd, Ingleburn with photo ID and your bank details. It is weighed in front of you and paid by EFT before you leave.

Contact the yard