Getting The Most Profit From Your Copper Recycling Efforts
Copper recycling can be highly profitable when the material is prepared correctly and sorted before being sold. One of several non-ferrous metals that can be reused repeatedly, copper is used in many ways. It is in great demand by recyclers, and there are a few things you can do to maximize the price you get for recycling copper.
Sort And Clean Your Copper
Copper recycling prices change with the grade of copper and the purity level when you sell it to the recycler. For example, copper used for wiring is exceptionally high quality. Still, once the insulating casing material is put on the copper, the price drops for recycling because the casing needs removing before the metal can be reused.
The required workforce to deal with the same amount of material is then increased, and the overhead is offset by the lower price the recycler will pay for the copper in that form. The easiest way to ensure you get the best price for the copper you are selling is to clean and sort the material before selling it.
Removing the casing from wire, cutting solder joints out of old plumbing pipe, and drilling out rivets that are not copper from a copper panel as all ways to increase the price you receive. Copper recycling centers will still take things like copper pipe fittings with solder on them, but sorting those out is vital because they will sell at a reduced price.
If your load is mixed, it will default to the lower grade material, but if you sort everything, the recycler can easily batch weigh your copper and pay you according to the grade for each batch. This will maximize the income potential of the load and is well worth the time involved.
Wait For The Right Price
Copper recycling can be a bit of a waiting game, and the market price of copper can change daily. Watching the prices to sell the copper material at the best price is essential. Daily price checks are often available through the copper recycling center in your area, so before you sell anything, call and get the price that day.
Often, the recycling center can tell you what they expect to see change with their pricing and when based on the amount of copper they have on hand, what price they are getting, and what the industry demand is at the time. Working with one recycler can also mean limiting your ability to sell at a high price, so call several recyclers in your area to see if other recyclers are paying more when you are ready to sell your scrap.
For more information, contact a copper recycling facility near you.
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