Copper Scrap Prices
Copper consistently pays some of the highest prices at Canadian scrap yards. The difference between a bare bright load and an insulated wire load can be 30–50% per kilogram — knowing your grades makes a real difference.
8.96 g/cm³
LME Cu
Wire, tube, sheet, fittings
Copper Grades & Prices
Per kilogram, CAD| Grade | Price Range ($/kg) |
|---|---|
| Bare Bright Copper The highest grade of copper scrap — clean, uncoated, unalloyed copper wire at least 1.5mm diameter with no solder or insulation. | $9.00/kg – $9.60/kg |
| No.1 Copper Clean, uncoated copper pipe and wire with light oxidation allowed. No major paint, coatings, or solder. | $8.20/kg – $8.80/kg |
| No.2 Copper Copper with solder, paint, light coatings, or oxidation. Mixed copper objects that don't meet No.1 standard. | $7.20/kg – $7.80/kg |
| Insulated Copper Wire Copper wire still inside its plastic or rubber insulation. Price depends heavily on copper recovery percentage. | $3.50/kg – $5.50/kg |
Click any grade name to see identification tips and what lowers the value.
About Copper
Copper is one of the most valuable scrap metals you can recycle in Canada. Its excellent electrical and thermal conductivity keeps demand consistently high — scrap yards across the country are always buying.
Primary use: Electrical wiring, plumbing, motors
Common Sources of Copper
Copper is commonly found in electrical wiring (stripped and insulated), plumbing pipes and fittings, copper roofing and gutters, radiators, electric motors, transformers, and printed circuit boards.
How to Get More for Your Copper
Strip insulation from wiring to reach bare bright or No.1 prices. Keep grades separate — mixing No.1 with No.2 drops the whole load. Remove brass fittings and solder. Bring clean, dry material and call ahead on loads over 20 kg.
Copper Prices by City
Prices vary between cities based on local supply, demand, and yard overhead. Click a city to see local rates and available yards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is copper worth at Canadian scrap yards?
Copper prices depend on grade. Bare bright copper commands the highest rate. No.1 copper (clean tube and fittings) pays a bit less. Insulated wire typically pays 40–60% of bare bright. Check our Price Index for current figures by city.
What is bare bright copper and why does it pay more?
Bare bright is clean, uncoated, unalloyed copper wire with a minimum diameter of roughly 1.5mm and no insulation, solder, or oxidation. Yards pay a premium because it requires zero processing before resale — it goes straight to the smelter.
Is it worth stripping copper wire before selling?
Almost always yes. Stripping insulation can increase your payout per kilogram by 30–50%. The calculation depends on how much wire you have and the cost of your time. If you have more than 10 kg, it's generally worth doing.
How does a yard decide what grade my copper is?
Yards assess copper visually: they look for solder, coatings, oxidation, alloy content, and wire gauge. The grader's judgment is final — which is why presenting clean, well-sorted copper always pays more than dumping a mixed bucket.
Does copper price change daily?
Yes. Copper tracks the London Metal Exchange (LME) spot price, which moves every trading day. Canadian yard rates lag a day or two and are adjusted by each yard's own margin. Prices on this index are updated regularly to reflect current market conditions.
Quick Facts
- Density
- 8.96 g/cm³
- Market Code
- LME Cu
- Common Forms
- Wire, tube, sheet, fittings
- Primary Use
- Electrical wiring, plumbing, motors