• Mon–Sat 6am–6pm · Free pickup Sydney & NSW
  • South Granville, NSW 2142

Copper recycling at a glance

  • Minimum load: 3 tonnes. Loads under 3 tonnes are accepted for a handling fee.
  • Payment: Electronic funds transfer (EFT) on qualifying loads, with a grade-by-grade docket.
  • Grades accepted: Bright bare, #1, #2, insulated cable, busbar, hot water cylinders and copper-bearing items.
  • Service area: Sydney metro and greater NSW.
  • Hours: Monday to Saturday, 6am to 6pm.
  • Base: South Granville NSW 2142.
Bulk copper scrap recycling for businesses in Sydney

Who Our Copper Recycling Service Is For

Because we work on bulk loads, our copper service is built for businesses that generate copper in volume, either as one large clean-out or as an ongoing waste stream:
  • Electrical contractors — cable offcuts, strip-out cable, switchboard busbar and earthing copper.
  • Plumbing and HVAC contractors — copper pipe and tube, fittings, refrigeration line sets and hot water cylinders.
  • Demolition and strip-out contractors — mixed copper recovered from commercial, industrial and residential demolition.
  • Builders and site managers — copper accumulated over fit-outs, renovations and major projects.
  • Manufacturers and fabricators — production offcuts, rejected stock, and copper windings from motors and transformers.
  • Facilities and asset managers — decommissioned cabling and electrical plant from upgrades and refurbishments.

If you have less than 3 tonnes, we can still take it, but a handling fee applies instead of a payment. Many trades keep a dedicated copper bin on site and book a collection once it reaches 3 tonnes — ask us about bins.

Copper Scrap Grades We Recycle

Copper scrap is graded by purity and contamination, and the grade decides the rate. These are the grades we accept as part of a bulk load:

GradeWhat it includesRelative value
Bright bare copper (bright & shiny)Clean, uncoated, unalloyed copper wire. No insulation, tarnish, paint or solder.Highest
#1 copperClean copper pipe, busbar, heavy wire and clippings. No solder, paint, fittings or insulation. Light oxidation is acceptable.High
#2 copperSoldered or painted pipe, pipe with fittings attached, tarnished or burnt wire, lightly contaminated copper.Medium
Insulated copper cablePVC- or rubber-sheathed power, building and data cable. Valued by copper recovery after stripping.Varies by recovery
Hot water cylindersCopper cylinders and tanks, usually with brass fittings attached.Medium to lower
Copper-bearing itemsMotors, transformers, compressors and radiators containing copper windings or tube.Lower; graded by recovery

Brass is a copper alloy, not copper, and is graded separately — see brass scrap recycling. For a closer look at cable grades, see copper wire scrap.

How Scrap Copper Is Priced in Sydney

Copper is a globally traded commodity, so scrap copper prices change daily. Five things decide what your load is worth:

  • The LME copper price. Copper is priced in US dollars on the London Metal Exchange, so both the LME price and the AUD/USD exchange rate move local scrap rates.
  • Grade and purity. Bright bare and #1 copper attract the highest rates because they need the least processing.
  • Contamination. Steel, plastic, solder, paint, brass fittings and insulation all reduce the recoverable copper and the rate.
  • Sorting. A mixed load is generally paid at the rate of its lowest grade. Keeping grades separate is the simplest way to lift your return.
  • Volume and consistency. Larger, regular loads of consistent grade are cheaper to handle and are priced accordingly.

Because rates move daily, we quote on the day. Send us a description or photos of your load and we will give you a current rate for each grade.

How to Prepare Copper Scrap for the Best Return

  • Separate your grades. Keep bright wire, clean pipe, soldered pipe and insulated cable in separate bags or bins.
  • Cut off fittings. Removing brass fittings and steel brackets can move pipe from #2 up to #1.
  • Strip out non-metal waste. Remove timber, plastic, tape, rubble and general rubbish before collection.
  • Never burn cable. Burning insulation off cable is illegal open burning in Sydney, releases toxic fumes, and downgrades the copper to burnt (#2) grade.
  • Keep it contained and accessible. Bulk bags, stillages or bins with clear truck or forklift access make collection faster.
  • Have your details ready. NSW law requires us to record seller identification for every purchase, so have photo ID and your business details on hand.

How Bulk Copper Collection Works

1

Request a quote

Call 0411 398 285 or use our contact form. Tell us the grades, an estimated weight, the site location and access details. Photos help.

2

Book your collection

We schedule a truck to suit your site, or set up regular pickups for ongoing waste streams.

3

Weigh and grade

Your load is weighed on certified scales and graded transparently, grade by grade.

4

Get paid by EFT

Qualifying loads of 3 tonnes and above are paid by electronic transfer, with a docket showing weight, grade and rate.

What Happens to Your Copper After Collection

Copper is one of the few materials that can be recycled again and again without losing its conductivity or strength, which is why recycled copper is in constant demand. Once collected, your copper is sorted, graded and consolidated, then sent to licensed downstream processors where it is refined and remade into new wire, tube and electrical components. Recycling copper uses a fraction of the energy needed to mine and smelt new copper, and every tonne recovered is a tonne that does not go to landfill.

Why Businesses Choose Copper Recycle Sydney

  • Copper specialists. Copper is our lead service, not one line among dozens. We know the grades and price them properly.
  • Built for bulk. We are set up for 3-tonne-plus loads, one-off site clean-outs and scheduled collections.
  • Transparent grading. Every qualifying load comes with a docket showing weight, grade and rate, so you can see exactly how your payment was calculated.
  • Fully compliant. We pay by EFT and keep the records NSW law requires — which protects your business from stolen-metal risk and keeps your paperwork clean.
  • Western Sydney base. Our South Granville location gives us quick access to Parramatta, the M4 corridor and the wider metro area, Monday to Saturday, 6am to 6pm.

Copper Recycling Across Sydney and NSW

We collect bulk copper across greater Sydney, including Parramatta, Liverpool, Bankstown, Sutherland, Manly and Bondi Junction, as well as regional NSW for larger loads. See all service areas or our Sydney scrap metal recycling guide.

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Copper Scrap Recycling FAQs

What is the minimum load for copper scrap recycling?
Our minimum is 3 tonnes per load. Loads of 3 tonnes and above are paid at market-linked rates by grade. We can still take smaller quantities, but loads under 3 tonnes are charged a handling fee instead of being paid for.
Do you buy small amounts of copper from households?
No. We are set up for bulk copper from businesses, trades and industrial sites, so we do not buy small lots or individual items. If you only have a small quantity, we can accept it for a fee, or you can stockpile it until you reach 3 tonnes.
How do you pay for copper scrap?
We pay by electronic funds transfer (EFT) into your nominated account, with a docket showing the weight, grade and rate for each part of the load. NSW law (section 12 of the Scrap Metal Industry Act 2016) prohibits scrap metal dealers from paying cash for scrap metal, so any business offering cash for copper in NSW is operating outside the law.
What is the difference between #1 and #2 copper?
#1 copper is clean, unalloyed copper such as bare pipe, busbar and heavy wire with no solder, paint, fittings or insulation. #2 copper is still mostly copper but carries some contamination, for example soldered pipe, painted or tarnished copper, or pipe with fittings attached. #1 is worth more per kilogram because it needs less processing.
What is bright bare copper?
Bright bare copper (also called bright and shiny copper or bare bright) is clean, uncoated, unalloyed copper wire with no insulation, tarnish, paint or solder. It is the highest-value grade of copper scrap.
How much is scrap copper worth per kg in Sydney?
Scrap copper prices move daily with the London Metal Exchange (LME) copper price and the Australian dollar. The rate for your load depends on its grade, how clean and well sorted it is, and the total volume. Call 0411 398 285 with a description or photos of your load for a current quote.
Do I need ID to sell copper scrap in NSW?
Yes. Under the Scrap Metal Industry Act 2016, scrap metal dealers in NSW must record the identity of the person selling scrap metal and details of the transaction. Please have photo ID and your business details ready when your load is collected or delivered.
Can you collect copper scrap from my site?
Yes. We collect bulk copper loads from construction sites, factories, workshops and commercial premises across Sydney and greater NSW. Let us know the location, access conditions and roughly how much material you have when you book.
Is copper pipe with brass fittings still worth recycling?
Yes. Copper pipe with brass fittings attached is normally graded as #2 copper. If you cut the brass fittings off and keep the clean pipe separate, the clean pipe can qualify as a higher grade and the brass is graded separately.
Do you recycle insulated copper cable?
Yes. Insulated copper cable is accepted as part of a bulk copper load and is valued by its copper recovery, meaning how much copper is left once the insulation is removed. See our copper wire scrap page for more detail on cable grades.
What happens to copper after it is recycled?
Recovered copper is sorted, graded and consolidated, then sent to licensed downstream processors where it is refined and remade into new products such as wire, tube and electrical components. Copper can be recycled repeatedly without losing its properties.

Get a Quote for Your Bulk Copper Load

Have 3 tonnes or more of copper scrap on site? Call 0411 398 285 or email info@copperrecyclesydney.com.au with the grades, estimated weight and location, and we will come back to you with a current rate.

Copper Recycle Sydney · South Granville NSW 2142 · Monday to Saturday, 6am–6pm · ABN 82 419 348 954