No.1 Copper

Clean, uncoated copper pipe and wire with light oxidation allowed. No major paint, coatings, or solder.

Estimated Range

$8.20/kg – $8.80/kg

Copper base: $8.40/kg · $3.81/lb

↓ Below base price

How to Identify This Grade

Reddish-copper colour, may have slight tarnish. Pipe from plumbing, heavy gauge wire. No paint or heavy oxidation.

Check for coatings, paint, or insulation

Test with a magnet — copper is non-magnetic

Look for corrosion or oxidation (green/brown)

Assess whether it's been cleaned or processed

Plumbing pipes, thick electrical wire, copper busbar

Solder joints, paint, heavy oxidation, or significant coatings drop it to No.2. Any attachment of other metals also affects the grade.

Common downgrade mistakes:

Solder joints, paint, heavy oxidation, or significant coatings drop it to No

Any attachment of other metals also affects the grade

All grades of Copper — ranked by typical payout. Click any grade to see details.

Grade	Price Range	vs. This Grade
No.1 Copper current	$8.20/kg – $8.80/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	+$0.80/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	-$1.00/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	-$4.70/kg

Price ranges are estimates. Actual yard payouts depend on grade purity, condition, and quantity.

Prices vary between cities. Find yards in your area or use the calculator to estimate your payout.

Local rates for Copper — click a city to see yard-by-yard breakdown.