1. The Core Rule: Separation Equals Higher Value

Copper cable is not just one material, it comes in many forms, each containing a different percentage of copper compared to the plastic or rubber insulation wrapped around it.

When we price your materials, we look at the amount of copper we expect to extract. Mixing a high-grade wire with low-grade wire means the entire batch often has to be priced at the lower grade to account for the contaminants.

The Golden Tip: Never mix your different cable types. Keep your thick, high concentration wires separate from your thin, low grade household cords. This single action is the easiest way to increase your profit margin per tonne.

 

2. The Copper Hierarchy: Where the Profit is Found

To start sorting your scrap in your van or yard in Birmingham, focus on these four main categories of copper cable we buy:

A. Dry Bright Wire: The Peak of Value

This is copper in its purest, most stripped form. There is no insulation, no brass, and no plastic attached. Because we can send this directly for processing with minimal work, it commands the highest value per kilo. If you are stripping thick single-core cables on a large job, make sure this wire goes into its own dedicated container.

 

B. High Grade Cables (Like Single Core)

These insulated cables, often found in heavy power applications, still have a very high copper content relative to their size. They offer excellent profit even without being stripped because they are so efficient to process through our specialist machinery. Always separate your heavier, thicker insulated wires from thin, flexible ones.

 

C. Household Wiring (Twin & Earth, Flex Cable)

This is the workhorse of domestic and light commercial projects. While the copper concentration is lower than a heavy industrial cable, the volume generated is huge. Accumulating and recycling these cables is a crucial part of maximising the overall profit generated by any large rewire job across the West Midlands.

 

D. Armoured Cable (SWA) and Low Grade Cable

Armoured Cable (SWA) is easily identifiable by its steel wire protection. Because it has steel, rubber, and often tar alongside the copper core, it falls into a lower grade category. However, due to its sheer weight, recycling SWA still generates substantial value. Similarly, low grade cables such as thin cords or extension leads should be kept separate as a lower value category, but still contribute to your overall profit.

 

3. Practical Steps for Boosting Your Earnings

Beyond just separating the cable types, take these simple steps to ensure you are getting the absolute maximum value every time you visit our yard:

• Remove Contaminants: If you have a plug, junction box, or large steel clamp attached to a length of cable, cut it off. These items add weight but significantly reduce the value of the copper they are mixed with.
• Keep it Dry: Water adds non-copper weight to your load. While a little rain is unavoidable, storing your scrap copper in a dry area prevents unnecessary weight that does not contribute to your copper profit.
• Utilise Our Collection Service: If you have a huge amount of sorted scrap, our bulk cable collection service for businesses in Birmingham saves you time and transport costs, directly increasing your bottom-line profit.

Do not let your valuable copper waste sit idle on site. Proper sorting turns what looks like a simple pile of rubbish into a well organised asset that consistently generates superior profit.

 

Ready to find out the current profit potential of your expertly sorted copper scrap? Contact Cable Wire Recycling Birmingham today.