Bare Bright Copper Scrap Price Today
National average and per-state rates. Last updated Nov 10, 2026.
What is Bare Bright Copper?
Common scrap sources: romex wire 12/2 nm-b (with ground) and romex wire 14/2 nm-b (with ground).
How to prep Bare Bright Copper
Prep guidance for items that contain Bare Bright Copper:
- Romex Wire 12/2 NM-B (with ground): Stripping the outer PVC jacket and inner conductor insulation roughly doubles the per-pound rate (bare bright vs insulated copper wire). Manual benchtop strippers pay back their cost over 50-100 feet of stripped wire. Coil tightly for transport — loose tangled wire is often weighed less generously.
- Romex Wire 14/2 NM-B (with ground): Strip the outer PVC jacket and inner conductor insulation to reach bare-bright pricing — typically doubles the rate vs insulated. Bundle stripped and unstripped lengths separately. Manual strippers earn back their cost over 50-100 ft.
Bare Bright Copper — 90-day price history
What drives the Bare Bright Copper market
Bare Bright Copper pricing tracks the part of the broader Copper market that supplies electrical wiring and plumbing. Yard inflow comes mainly from renovation projects and electrical work, which sets the pace of what hits the scale each week. When construction and electrical work slows or speeds up, posted yard prices for Bare Bright Copper usually move with it. Yards see stripped household wiring across tickets from both households and trade customers. Recovered material feeds circuit breaker panels and refrigeration coils, which keeps the recycling loop tight. Anyone selling Bare Bright Copper regularly will see that posted rates move with the broader commodity benchmark plus the rhythm of construction and electrical work, with each yard's volume and downstream relationships then setting where they land inside that band.
How Bare Bright Copper grades differ on the price board
Pricing across Copper grades depends on how clean the material is. Bare Bright Copper sits at the top of the scale; it is sold as clean conductor stock for copper mills. On the other end, Number Two Copper pays less because of solder, paint, or attached fittings. Most of the spread can be closed by removing insulation, solder, or attached brass fittings before bringing the material in.
Frequently asked about Bare Bright Copper
- Will I get a higher price if I sort or clean my Bare Bright Copper?
- Yes — removing insulation, solder, or attached brass fittings before bringing material in usually lands you in a cleaner grade on the price board. Even an hour of prep work at home can move the ticket up.
- Do all yards buy Bare Bright Copper?
- Not always. Some yards focus on auto salvage, others on industrial scrap. The yard search filters by accepted material, so you can quickly see who in your area takes Bare Bright Copper.
- What does Bare Bright Copper go into after the yard?
- Sorted Bare Bright Copper is shipped to mills or refiners that produce circuit breaker panels and refrigeration coils. The recovered material reduces the need to mine new ore and keeps the recycling loop tight.
- What lowers the price a yard pays for Bare Bright Copper?
- The main deductions come from solder, paint, or attached fittings. If the material has visible insulation, solder, or attached brass fittings, the yard either downgrades the ticket or applies a flat deduction.
- Why does Bare Bright Copper pricing change from week to week?
- Posted yard rates for Bare Bright Copper follow underlying commodity benchmarks plus a yard-specific margin. When the benchmark moves, posted prices catch up within a couple business days at the typical yard.
- How is Bare Bright Copper weighed and paid?
- Yards weigh material on a public scale and pay by the pound. The posted rate on the day you bring it in is what applies — calling ahead is the safest way to confirm.
What does Bare Bright Copper go into?
Common items that contain Bare Bright Copper. Click any item to see its full value breakdown.
Find yards near you that buy Bare Bright Copper
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Compare other Copper grades
Bare Bright Copper Prices by State
Local market context and yards buying bare bright copper in each state.