How Much Is Copper Scrap Worth Right Now? (2026 Updated Price Guide)
Wondering how much your copper scrap is worth right now? Copper is one of the highest‑value materials in the scrap market due to its wide industrial use, conductivity, and strong recycling demand. But scrap pricing isn’t fixed it depends on grade, condition, and current market trends.
In this guide, you’ll learn the latest 2026 copper scrap prices per kilogram, what affects scrap value, and how to maximize what you get paid.
1. Latest Copper Scrap Prices (2026)
Typical 2026 Rates (Per Kg)
| Copper Scrap Grade | Approx. Price (USD/kg) | Approx. Price (AUD/kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Bare Bright Copper (clean, stripped) | ~$12–$15 | ~$17–$22 |
| #1 Copper (Good quality) | ~$10–$13 | ~$14–$19 |
| Millberry / Mixed Copper | ~$9–$11 | ~$13–$16 |
| Insulated Copper Wire (high recovery) | ~$9–$10* | ~$13–$15* |
| Insulated / Low‑Recovery Copper Wire | ~$3–$7 | ~$4–$10 |
* Prices depend on recovery percentage and scrap yard policies. These figures are recent averages from regional market reports in Australia and global scrap data feeds.
Bare bright (clean, uncoated copper with no oxidation) usually gets the highest payout often several dollars more per kg than mixed or insulated scrap.
2. How Scrap Yards Price Copper Scrap
Scrap yards and buyers determine copper prices based on:
Grade & Purity
- Clean, stripped copper from wiring and plumbing fetches premium prices.
- Contaminated or soldered metals are discounted.
- Recovery Percentage
- High recovery insulated wire (e.g., 85%+ recovery) is worth more compared to unstripped PVC‑coated wire.
Global Commodity Trends
While scrap prices don’t exactly mirror commodity markets, copper’s overall metal price influences scrap yard rates especially when global prices are strong.
Local Demand & Supply
Prices also vary by city, country, and demand from local recyclers or exporters.
3. Example Copper Scrap Earnings
Clean Bare Bright Copper — 100 kg:
- Price ~ $12 USD/kg
- Total ≈ $1,200 USD (~$1,700 AUD)
Mixed Millberry Copper — 100 kg:
- Price ~ $9 USD/kg
- Total ≈ $900 USD (~$1,280 AUD)
Insulated Wire (Lower Recovery) — 100 kg:
- Price ~ $5 USD/kg
- Total ≈ $500 USD (~$710 AUD)
These values are indicative actual payouts depend on local yard pricing and scrap quality.
4. What Affects Your Copper Scrap Value
Sapling Grade
Grade matters: bare bright > #1 > mixed copper > insulated wire.
Processing Effort
Stripping insulation from wire yourself often increases what buyers will pay.
Quantity Sold
Bulk sales frequently attract better pricing than small lots.
Market Timing
Copper prices rise and fall with industrial demand, export flows, and global metal indices.
5. Tips to Maximize Your Copper Scrap Price
Separate & Clean
Remove plastic, solder, or contamination to qualify your copper for higher grades.
Split by Grade
List bare bright, #1, and insulated wire separately buyers pay per category.
Use Competitive Buyers
Compare quotes from multiple scrap yards or online trading platforms.
Sell in Bulk
Larger weights often command better per‑kg prices.
Track Market Trends
Know when copper prices are high before selling.
FAQs: Copper Scrap Worth
Q: Why does copper scrap price vary so much?
Prices depend on grade, recovery level, local demand, and global metal trends. Clean copper always pays more.
Q: Is insulated copper wire worth selling?
Yes but stripping insulation first often increases what you’ll get per kg.
Q: Does global copper price affect scrap rates?
Indirectly strong metal markets can lift scrap pricing, especially in regions tied to export demand.
Q: Where can I check live scrap prices?
Local scrap yards, digital scrap trading platforms, and real‑time commodity trackers help you find current pricing.
Conclusion
In 2026, copper scrap remains one of the most valuable types of scrap, especially when it’s high quality and properly graded. Prices typically range from about $9–$15 USD per kilogram depending on condition and grade, with similar strong rates in AUD terms.
To get the best price for your copper scrap, clean and sort it, compare multiple buyers, and time your sale to match market strength.