Copper is used in a wide range of applications from electrical wiring and plumbing to construction, manufacturing and renewable energy. It is also one of the most widely recycled scrap metals as it can be processed and used again in the creation of new copper items, without losing its original properties or strengths. So how can copper be recycled? And what happens to it once it has been collected?
What happens to copper during the recycling process?
There are a number of different stages involved when recycling copper, and it all starts with the collecting of unwanted material. Whether you choose to take the copper to a scrapyard, or have our professional team come to you and collect, you can be paid for your unwanted copper, and then the process of recycling will begin. This will involve sorting and assessing the copper before further processing, as the different types and grades of copper may need to be separated, particularly when the material has been mixed with other metals or components. Following this, the process can include:
- Removing unwanted contamination
- Processing the metal
- Melting the copper
- Manufacturing new products from the recovered material
The exact process will depend on the type and condition of the copper, but the overall aim is the same: to recover as much usable material as possible.
Why is copper suitable for recycling?
One of the major advantages of copper is that it can be recycled multiple times without losing its fundamental properties. This means that when copper is melted down and processed, it can be used again in new manufacturing. For example, copper recovered from old electrical wiring could eventually be used in new electrical products, while copper pipe removed during a renovation could be processed and incorporated into new copper products.
What types of copper can be recycled?
There are many different sources of recyclable copper, including:
- Copper pipe
- Copper wire
- Electrical cable
- Copper sheet
- Roofing copper
- Copper cylinders
- Plumbing components
- Heating components
- Copper fittings
- Manufacturing offcuts
The value of these materials can vary, particularly where copper has been mixed with other materials. Clean copper is generally easier to process than heavily contaminated material, so separating it where practical can be helpful.
Can copper be recycled from electrical cable?
Yes, copper electrical cable can be recycled. Electrical cables often contain valuable copper surrounded by insulation or other materials. During the recycling process, the copper can be separated from these additional materials and recovered for reuse.
This makes old or surplus electrical cable an important source of recyclable copper.
Is it worth separating copper from other scrap?
If you’re dealing with a mixture of scrap metals, separating copper where practical can be worthwhile.
Copper, brass and aluminium can have different values from ferrous metals such as steel and cast iron. As a result, keeping materials separated can make identification and processing more straightforward.
However, you should never put yourself at risk trying to dismantle or separate materials. Particularly with electrical equipment, machinery or larger items, it is often safer to let an experienced scrap metal merchant handle the material appropriately.
For more information about scrap metal recycling, get in touch with our experienced team today here at X-Met Metals. We offer competitive weigh and pay services, convenient scrap metal collection from your chosen location, scrap metal skip hire for larger projects, and fully licensed scrap yards where you can recycle a wide range of ferrous and non-ferrous metals. In fact, for scrap metal recycling across the North West, from Chorley to St Helens and Blackburn to Skelmersdale, we are the team you can count on. Whether you’re clearing a home, managing a construction site or disposing of industrial scrap, our experienced team is here to help you recycle your metal quickly, safely and responsibly.