#2 Copper Scrap Price Today

What is #2 Copper?

Common scrap sources: copper cookware (pot or pan), electric motor (large, 10-50 lb), starter motor, electric motor (small, under 10 lb), car alternator, central ac condenser unit (outdoor), window ac unit (5,000-15,000 btu), and ceiling fan.

How to prep #2 Copper

Prep guidance for items that contain #2 Copper:

• Copper Cookware (Pot or Pan): Resale almost always beats scrap for any marked or hammered piece. For scrap, remove brass or steel handles by drilling out rivets. Verify the pan is solid copper rather than copper-clad — copper is non-magnetic, so a magnet test is the quickest check before listing.
• Electric Motor (Large, 10-50 lb): Always worth opening at this size — a torch, sawzall, or angle grinder through the end bell exposes the copper windings cleanly. Sell windings as #2 copper, steel laminations and housing as light iron, and aluminum end bells (some industrial motors) separately. Bearings have no scrap value.
• Starter Motor: Try the auto-parts core counter first — most chains pay a small per-core rebate. For scrap, breaking open the housing with a chisel or sawzall to expose the copper roughly doubles the per-pound rate. Watch for sealed permanent-magnet starters, which contain neodymium magnets and may have collectible value.
• Electric Motor (Small, under 10 lb): If selling more than a tote-full, cutting open the housing to expose copper windings is worth the time. Otherwise sell whole at the electric-motor rate. Aluminum-housed motors pay slightly less due to lower steel content.

#2 Copper — 90-day price history

What does #2 Copper go into?

Common items that contain #2 Copper. Click any item to see its full value breakdown.

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