Metal recycling
How to Recycle #2 Copper Wire
Insulated copper wire, including household Romex, extension cords, and low-voltage data or network cable. Priced by estimated copper-recovery percentage (%ICW) rather than a single flat rate, so value can range from roughly $0.60/lb to $4+/lb depending on gauge and insulation ratio.
Recyclable#2 ICWInsulated copper wire is graded by estimated copper content, not a flat rate: roughly $0.45-$0.80/lb for thin, low-yield wire (Cat5/6-style cable), $1.15-$2.00/lb for mid-yield wire (about 45-50% copper), and up to $3.55-$4.20/lb for thick, high-yield wire (85%+ copper). Stripped down to bare bright copper, the same wire jumps to about $5.12-$5.65/lb (August 2026) - worth the labor on thick gauge, rarely worth it on thin wire.Updated Jul 2026
Quick answer
It depends on how much of the wire is actually copper. Insulated copper wire is priced by estimated copper-recovery percentage, not one flat rate - August 2026 boards range from about $0.45-$0.80/lb for low-yield wire like Cat5/6 cable up to $3.55-$4.20/lb for thick, high-yield wire (85%+ copper). Stripping heavy-gauge wire down to bare bright copper is usually worth it and pays about $5.05-$5.35/lb; thin, low-yield wire often isn't worth the labor to strip.
- Recyclable
- Yes
- Recycling code
- #2 ICW
- Typical value
- Insulated copper wire is graded by estimated copper content, not a flat rate: roughly $0.45-$0.80/lb for thin, low-yield wire (Cat5/6-style cable), $1.15-$2.00/lb for mid-yield wire (about 45-50% copper), and up to $3.55-$4.20/lb for thick, high-yield wire (85%+ copper). Stripped down to bare bright copper, the same wire jumps to about $5.12-$5.65/lb (August 2026) - worth the labor on thick gauge, rarely worth it on thin wire.
How to Prepare
