Copper Scrap Prices in Illinois
National average for every copper grade we track, updated Nov 10, 2026. Yard quotes in Illinois vary with volume and prep — use these as your baseline and call ahead.
Copper Grades — Illinois
| Grade | US Avg | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Bare Bright Copper | $5.54 | /lb |
| #1 Copper | $5.31 | /lb |
| #2 Copper | $4.73 | /lb |
| Insulated Copper Wire | $2.60 | /lb |
| Copper Pipe (Clean) | $5.14 | /lb |
Copper scrap in Illinois
Copper scrap in Illinois moves through yards that serve manufacturing, finance, food processing, and rail logistics. The grades yards commonly quote are Bare Bright Copper, #1 Copper, #2 Copper, Insulated Copper Wire, and Copper Pipe (Clean); Bare Bright Copper usually earns the top rate and #2 Copper the lowest, so sorting before you arrive pays. Dozens of yards in Illinois take copper, and sellers near Chicago, Springfield, and Kankakee have the largest number of buyers to compare. Midwest mills, auto plants, and rail links put Illinois yards close to the consuming buyers of copper rod mills, tube mills, and refineries. Treat the figures on this page as a daily national baseline; a Illinois yard will quote around them once it knows your grade, weight, and how well the load is sorted.
Scrap Yards Buying Copper in Illinois
- A Metals Scrap Inc— Chicago
- A Reliable— Blue Island
- A Scrap Metal Company— Alsip
- Abco Metals Co— Chicago
- Ace Iron & Metals Inc— Joliet
- Adams Scrap Metal— Roselle
- Addison Metals— Elmhurst
- Addison Recycling— Addison
- AdelmanВ’s Resource Solutions— Chicago
- Advance Enterprises, Inc.— Mokena
- Advanced Antennas— Springfield
- Advanced Recycling— Springfield
- Advantage Recycling— Champaign
- Advantage Recycling— Danville
- Akat Scrap Metal— Hinsdale
- All Around Auto & Tire— Pekin
- All Metal Recycling— Franklin Park
- All-Brite Anodizing— Northlake
- Allegiance Metal Recycling— Naperville
- Alliance Metal Recycling Inc— Aurora
- Alpha Metals— Chicago
- Alter Metal Recycling— Peoria
- Alter Metal Recycling— Peoria
- Alter Metal Recycling— Rock Island
- Alter Recycling— Bartonville
Frequently asked about copper in Illinois
What is the copper scrap price in Illinois today?
This page lists the current US national average for every copper grade, updated daily from commodity markets. Illinois yards set their own rates around that figure based on volume, prep, and local freight, so use it as a baseline and confirm by phone.
Which scrap yards in Illinois buy copper?
Dozens of yards in Illinois list copper among the materials they buy; the yards on this page are the ones we have on record, with the largest concentration around Chicago, Springfield, and Kankakee. Confirm grades and hours before you drive.
How do I get the highest copper price in Illinois?
Sort by grade before you arrive, strip insulation jackets, solder joints, and attached brass fittings, and keep Bare Bright Copper separate from #2 Copper. Weigh your load yourself, ask for the price per grade rather than a lump sum, and compare two or three Illinois yards on the same day.
How should I prepare copper before selling it in Illinois?
Sorting is the single biggest lever: keep grades apart, strip insulation jackets, solder joints, and attached brass fittings, and avoid mixing in anything the yard has to hand-sort. Dry, clean loads weigh and price honestly.
What do Illinois yards require from sellers of copper?
Scrap yards routinely ask for a government photo ID and record the sale, and state law often requires it for metal purchases. Bring ID, expect a photo of the load, and ask whether the yard pays cash or check.