How Much Is a Romex Wire 14/2 NM-B (with ground) Worth in Scrap?
Scrap value: $0.10 – $0.15 as of Nov 10, 2026. That is what a typical Romex Wire 14/2 NM-B (with ground) fetches at US scrap yards today. The exact payout depends on local prices, yard quality, and how well you've prepped the material.
| If the yard pays | You get |
|---|---|
| 50% of spot (typical low) | $0.10 |
| 60% of spot (typical) | $0.12 |
| 70% of spot (clean, sorted) | $0.15 |
What's inside a Romex Wire 14/2 NM-B (with ground)?
Residential 14-gauge two-conductor NM-B cable with ground, the most common circuit type for general lighting and 15-amp receptacles. Same construction as 12/2 but with thinner conductors, yielding roughly 25% less copper per foot. Lighting installations typically run longer than appliance circuits, so a single house demolition often produces several hundred feet of 14/2 alongside the heavier 12/2. Sold whole, pays the insulated rate; stripped, the bare-bright rate.
| Material | Weight per unit | Per-lb rate (yard pays) | Per-unit value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bare Bright Copper | 0.04 lb | $2.77 – $3.88 /lb | $0.10 – $0.15 |
How to prep your Romex Wire 14/2 NM-B (with ground) before scrapping
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.
Why prep matters: Most yards pay different rates for clean vs. mixed material. An hour of prep can roughly double your payout per pound on copper-bearing items.
What yards typically pay
90-day Bare Bright Copper price estimate (US average) — the dominant material in a Romex Wire 14/2 NM-B (with ground).
Find yards that buy Romex Wire 14/2 NM-B (with ground) near you
Enter your ZIP to see scrap yards within 25 miles that accept this material.
Calculate value for your specific situation
Adjust the quantity, add other items, or enter your ZIP for a localized estimate.
| Material | Recovered | Rate | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bare Bright Copper | 0.04 lb | $2.77–$3.88/lb | $0.10 – $0.15 |
How are these prices calculated?
Each day we take metal spot prices from MetalpriceAPI and turn them into US average prices per scrap grade (spot × a grade factor; a few grades such as steel use fixed reference values). The calculator assumes a yard pays 50–70% of those grade prices, which gives the range you see. Full method.
Why a range?
Yards don't pay you the full grade price. They take a margin to cover transport, processing, and risk. The exact margin depends on grade quality, how clean the material is, local competition, and current end-buyer demand. The low end of our range is a conservative estimate; the high end is what well-prepared, clean material at a competitive yard can earn.
What affects your actual payout?
Preparation matters. Stripping copper wire to bare-bright roughly doubles the per-pound rate vs. selling it insulated. Removing brass fittings from copper pipe lets each metal sell at its proper grade instead of being downgraded to mixed. Quantity matters. Some yards offer better tiers for larger loads. Timing matters. Spot prices move daily; a 5% swing on copper is normal week-to-week.
Should I trust this estimate?
Treat it as a planning tool, not a guarantee. For large hauls, call two or three yards and ask for a per-pound quote on the specific grade. Don't haul anything more than 30 minutes without a quote — fuel costs add up. Most yards will quote over the phone if you describe the material accurately.
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Frequently asked questions
How much is Romex Wire 14/2 NM-B (with ground) worth in scrap?
$0.10 – $0.15 as of Nov 10, 2026: that is the scrap value of a typical Romex Wire 14/2 NM-B (with ground) at US yards today, based on its metal content (Bare Bright Copper (0.04 lb)) and current prices. The exact payout depends on local prices, yard quality, and how well you've prepped the material.
What metals are inside a Romex Wire 14/2 NM-B (with ground)?
A Romex Wire 14/2 NM-B (with ground) contains: Bare Bright Copper (0.04 lb). Per-component recovery rates and current prices determine the value.
Should I prep a Romex Wire 14/2 NM-B (with ground) before scrapping?
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.
Where can I take a Romex Wire 14/2 NM-B (with ground) to scrap?
Use the ZIP code form above to find scrap yards near you that accept Romex Wire 14/2 NM-B (with ground), with distance, contact info, and accepted-materials notes.
Estimates assume yard payouts at 50–70% of national spot. Actual payouts vary by region, yard, and material condition. Last updated Nov 10, 2026. © 2026 Scrapyards.io