Sell Scrap Copper in Birmingham, AL

Copper is the most valuable metal most people bring to a scrap yard, and also the one where grade makes the biggest difference. Here's how we grade it at Rather Recycling.

Top grade

Bare Bright Copper

Clean, stripped, unalloyed copper wire with no insulation, coating, tarnish or solder. It should be bright and shiny. This is the highest-paying copper grade.

#1 Copper Tubing & Flashing

Clean copper pipe, tubing and flashing with no solder, paint, fittings or heavy corrosion. A little natural oxidation is fine.

#2 Copper Tubing

Unalloyed copper with solder, paint, fittings, tarnish or other attachments still on it. Most plumbing scrap lands here.

#3 / Mix

#3 Roofing & #2/3 Mix Copper

Thin sheet copper from roofing, gutters and flashing, plus mixed copper loads that combine grades.

Cut the fittings off

A brass fitting or a soldered joint on copper pipe drops the whole piece to #2. Cut fittings off and sell the clean copper and the brass separately. It's usually worth the few minutes with a saw.

Copper we also buy

Insulated copper wire (THHN, Romex, cable, computer wire)
Electric motors and alternators with copper windings
ACR and ACR ends (copper-aluminum radiators from AC units)

Common questions

What's the difference between #1 and #2 copper?

#1 copper is clean, unalloyed copper pipe, tubing or heavy wire with no solder, paint, fittings or heavy corrosion. #2 copper is still unalloyed copper but has solder, paint, fittings, tarnish or other attachments. Cleaning up your copper and cutting off fittings is usually the easiest way to move it into a better grade.

Is bare bright copper worth more than other copper?

Yes. Bare bright is the top grade of scrap copper. It's clean, stripped, uncoated copper wire with no insulation, tarnish or solder, and it typically brings the highest price per pound of any copper grade.

How do I find out today's scrap metal prices?

Scrap prices follow the commodity markets and move often, so the best way to get an accurate number is to call us at 205-224-4044 and tell us what you have. The grade and condition of your material make a big difference in what it's worth.