Before you decide that those extra copper wires laying around are “good for nothing,” you’re going to want to read this post first! The truth is, copper wire recycling is an incredible way to not only earn money for this product, but it also has a number of environmental benefits too.
Copper Wire Recycling
In fact, copper wire recycling includes a number of uses for this product you might never have thought of! Whether you take your products to scrap metal experts to recycle them for you or you upcycle them yourself, it’s safe to say there’s no reason for your copper products to go to waste.
In today’s post, we’re going to talk about upcycling copper wire along with several other methods of copper wire recycling you won’t want to miss.
Upcycling
One of the first and most common ways to “upcycle” copper wiring and cables is using it for jewelry. Copper has been used in jewelry for hundreds of years. Its distinct earthy tones make it a popular choice for necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and other jewelry. If you have extra copper wires or cables to use, why not try your hand at making jewelry with them? This is an excellent way to make sure this material doesn’t go to waste while also getting some beautiful jewelry out of the process.
If jewelry isn’t your thing, consider using your copper wiring to create wire sculptures and art. Copper is frequently used for sculptures and other art products. In fact, even the Statue of Liberty is made of copper!
Another option for copper wire recycling is using this material to create small bowls or baskets for holding odds and ends. Take a look at this great tutorial for making small wire-wrapped baskets here.
Finally, you could also use your extra copper wire to create wall hangings. One fun option is using the wire to spell a word you love or even your family name.
Other Copper Wire Recycling Methods
If you’re not the creative type, there are still plenty of options for copper wire recycling that will work for you.
Sell
Of course, one of the preferred options for extra copper wiring is making money from it. In this case, we recommend working with scrap metal experts to get the best value for your materials.
Another advantage of doing this is that they can take care of everything for you which is especially handy if you have a lot of heavy materials laying around. This includes factory dismantling and cleanouts, warehouse cleanouts, and heavy equipment or crane removal. Rather than spending tens of hours sorting through your materials looking for anything that might be of value, scrap metal experts can quickly spot, sort, and buy your products to save you a lot of work.
Reuse
If your copper wiring is still in good condition, it can also be reused in most cases. This includes jewelry, art, and the other upcycling methods we just covered. But as “the world’s most reusable resource“, there’s never a reason not to make use of your extra copper wire.
Copper Wire Recycling
Good old-fashioned recycling is another option for your copper wires. Of course, you can sell it to scrap metal experts who will recycle it for you. But you can also find a copper wire recycling facility on your own where you can take these products. Just keep in mind, this means more work for you compared to having experts handle all of it.
(Looking for even more reasons to recycle your copper products? Check out this post next)
Donate
Donating your scrap copper wiring is another great option for this material. Perhaps you know an artist who would be eager to make use of your copper wiring for their next collection or a jewelry maker who uses copper for their pieces. If no one comes to mind, one of the best ways to find people or groups to donate your copper wiring to is on Facebook! You can find someone to take just about anything off of your hands on Facebook, and copper is no exception. Because of its value and multiple uses, it won’t take long to find someone happy to take the product off your hands.
We also recommend reaching out to local organizations, schools, and groups to find out if they could make use of copper wiring. This includes STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, programs across the country that aren’t likely to turn down copper wiring.
We’re Here to Help
We’ve covered several options for copper wire recycling in this post. If you want to make money from your copper products (and why wouldn’t you?) we encourage you to recycle your products with scrap metal experts. Not only does this ensure you get the most money for your products but it also means most of the work is taken care of for you.
For example, when you call Scrap Gators, we can take care of everything from A-Z. All you need to do is call us, and we’ll come to you. Then, we can sort your products, weigh them, and pay you on the spot.
And it isn’t just big work sites we offer these services for! We service commercial and industrial projects of all sizes. Whether you’re looking to remove outdated mechanical systems, clean out vacant buildings, in the middle of construction and need more space, or simply want to get rid of some extra junk, we have the know-how to make sure your projects run smoothly.
We’ve been in the scrap metal recycling business for over 100 years. This means we’ve seen and done it all when it comes to copper wire recycling, along with other products like alloys, brass, aluminum, and steel.
It’s also incredibly important to us to keep as many products out of landfills as possible. With that in mind, we donate or recycle approximately 70% of what we pick up.
So, if you’re in the Port St. Lucie area and you want to learn more about commercial copper wire recycling or other scrap metal recycling, call Scrap Gators today! We look forward to hearing from you.