Copper Scrap: 5 Best Places to Find Copper Scrap

Copper is found in many places that you might never have suspected. It is one of the most valuable scrap on the market. This can be a very lucrative business for the right person. It’s also a way to earn a little money while helping to reduce environmental waste. You can find hidden copper in a variety of places. Most of the time, although it is in sight, it finds itself in things that it would never have imagined. Knowing where to look will help you in your recovery efforts. Here are five of the best places to look for scrap copper.

1. In household accessories. This is especially true of older homes. Pipes and other types of plumbing will have copper. However, keep in mind that it is illegal to take copper from a home that you do not own. You can get them safely at demolition sites and if someone is remodeling them and has thrown them away.

2. Appliances used to have a lot of copper. Not so much now, but there is still quite a bit in them. The older the appliance, the more copper there is in them. Washers, old refrigerators, dryers, microwaves all have copper coils and wires. Removing copper is dangerous with air conditioners and refrigerators unless you know how to avoid releasing the toxic gases that are used in them.

3. If you find a house that is being demolished, you can get the wiring. Once the insulation is scratched, it will produce quite a bit of copper. Although most electricians may have beaten you. They are in a unique position to get to copper first. A large amount is still discarded, so check the remodel and demo sites regularly.

4. Finding antique copper statues and other household items, such as ornaments, can also be a good source of copper recovery. Things like kettles, pots, faucets, and even drink dispensers can produce enough copper to make it worth your while. A great place to find things like this is garage sales and thrift stores. You can buy these for a really cheap price, most of the time less than what they will be worth at a recycling store.

5. Cars are also a great place to look for scrapes of all kinds. If you disassemble a motor, you will find that a lot of copper has been used there. Radiator coils and heater cores are also a good source of copper. You can also get traces of things from onboard computers.

You see that everything is in what you know. Did you know that you can not only find copper in PCs but also gold? And that’s a big loot considering how much you spend per ounce. But that’s a topic for another article.