Copper is one of the most widely used materials in plumbing, piping, electrical systems, and the construction industry. It is commonly found in wiring, roofing, architectural details, gutters, drainage systems, sewage lines, and various building components.

Its popularity comes from its excellent properties: copper is highly resistant to corrosion, naturally waterproof, and offers outstanding thermal and electrical conductivity. Because of this, a large portion of copper scrap originates from construction and demolition sites, particularly from removed piping systems, electrical rewiring projects, and dismantled drainage or tubing systems.

Copper Tubing Scrap Grades

When preparing copper tubing for recycling, it is important to understand that scrap yards typically classify it into two main grades: #1 Copper and #2 Copper. The grade directly affects the value of the material.

#1 Copper Tubing

#1 copper is the highest grade of copper tubing scrap. It must be clean and free from any contamination or damage. This means no corrosion, burns, paint, heavy oxidation, or other foreign materials such as solder or mixed metals.

To qualify as #1 copper, the material should be essentially pure copper with no attached fittings or coatings. It is commonly recovered from building renovations, roofing work, decorative architectural elements, and electrical system upgrades.

In electrical applications, high-grade copper can also come from bus bars—solid copper strips used in switchgear and distribution panels. When scrapping bus bars, all insulation, coatings, plastic components, and attachments must be fully removed to achieve the highest grade and price.