In scrap cable recycling, sellers often feel confused when buyers just say 'priced by the ton,' and they never know where the loss happened. Actually, the core of cable recycling pricing comes down to two things: how much copper is inside, and what form you process it into. Different cable types—with varying copper core thickness, insulation thickness, and whether the insulation is still on—have completely different settlement logic. This guide is for buyers, recyclers, and factories or individuals with scrap cable, explaining how to estimate the copper/aluminum ratio from the model, how to calculate the breakeven point between selling with insulation and selling stripped, and whether copper granule processing is worth it. We won't give specific market prices, since they change daily, but once you learn the methods, you can apply them to calculate at any time.
1. Estimating copper content from the cable model
Cable jackets usually carry the model and specification, which is the key to estimating copper content. First, learn two common prefixes: copper-core cables generally don't have an 'L' in the model, while aluminum-core cables include the letter 'L' in the model, such as VLV and YJLV. Common models like VV (PVC-sheathed power cable) and YJV (XLPE-insulated power cable) are copper-core. The numbers after the model, e.g., '4×120,' mean 4 cores, each with a cross-section of 120 square millimeters. Keep this in mind; it will be the basis for calculating copper weight later.
However, the model only gives you a theoretical value. The market has non-standard and undersized conductor cables, where the actual cross-section may be smaller than stated, and the insulation can be absurdly thick. So a more reliable method is actual weighing. Take a one-meter length of cable, strip off the outer sheath and insulation, weigh the net weight of the copper conductor, and divide by the total weight of that section. That gives you the actual copper content ratio for your batch. This ratio is more reliable than an empirical estimate.
Also, distinguish between power cables, control cables, and building wire. Building wire like BV and BVR has thin insulation and a high copper ratio; multi-core control cables have many thin cores, and insulation dominates. Armored cables also have steel tape to consider. So don't apply a single ratio to all cables; sort them into piles and price them separately.
2. Tips for estimating copper/aluminum ratio
With the model and cross-section, you can calculate the theoretical copper weight. The formula is simple: copper weight per meter (kg) = number of cores × cross-section (mm²) × 8.9 ÷ 1000. For example, a 3×150 cable has a copper weight per meter of 3×150×8.9÷1000 ≈ 4 kg. This is the net copper of the conductor, excluding insulation and outer sheath. To get the copper ratio of the entire cable, you also need to weigh the total weight of a one-meter section.
In practice, you won't strip every time. Here's a quick estimation method: first weigh the whole spool of cable, then find a cable of the same model and specification, strip it to measure the copper ratio, and extrapolate the copper weight for the whole spool. Common low-voltage power cables have a copper ratio of about 50% to 70%; the thicker the conductor, the higher the ratio. For thin ones like 1.5 mm², the ratio may be only a bit over 30%. Aluminum-core cables have a density only about 1/3 that of copper, so for the same cross-section, the aluminum weight is much lighter. Thus, aluminum cables are usually very light, and their recycling price can't be calculated based on copper price.
Another pitfall: some cables are copper-clad aluminum or copper-clad steel, with a purplish-red surface but a whitish interior. To tell, cut a cross-section with a knife, or use a magnet (steel cores will be attracted). Such wire has a very low copper yield; buying it as pure copper will definitely lose money. When receiving goods, cut a sample and inspect it on the spot.
3. Choosing between selling with insulation and selling stripped
Selling with the insulation is hassle-free, while selling stripped copper has a higher unit price. But you can't just look at the unit price; you need to calculate the total. The price quoted by buyers for insulated cable already deducts their processing cost for stripping. If you strip it yourself and sell the bare copper, the unit price is higher, but you also pay for labor and equipment wear, and copper dust that sticks to the insulation during stripping.
How to decide? Run a test on a typical cable: strip out one kilogram of bare copper and see how long it takes; then check the day's price difference between bare copper and insulated cable, using real-time quotes from the Guilin Nonferrous Metals Network as reference. If the cost of labor plus losses is less than the price difference, it's worth stripping; otherwise, sell the whole cable. Industry experience: for thick cables (35 mm² and above), the insulation layer is a small portion, so stripping is easy and usually worthwhile; for thin cables (4 mm² and below), the copper yield is low and stripping is laborious, sometimes the copper obtained isn't worth the labor, so better to sell with insulation.
If using a wire stripping machine, adjust the blade in advance to avoid cutting the copper core. Surface nicks will degrade the copper to mixed copper, reducing its price significantly. Don't throw away the stripped insulation; collect it and sell as plastic scrap. It's not worth much, but it's some recovery. Additionally, never burn cables to recover copper. The copper surface will oxidize and blacken, and it will be bought at a low price as 'burnt wire.' Burning also has environmental risks, and you can be fined if caught.
4. Is copper granule processing worth it?
Copper granules are made by shredding scrap cables in a crusher and then separating copper particles from plastic through magnetic and gravity separation. High-purity granules can be sold directly at scrap copper prices, making them more competitive than selling insulated cable or hand-stripped copper. But whether it's worth doing depends on your supply volume and equipment investment.
Let's do the math first: a small cable crushing and separation system, including dust collection, feeding, and sorting, is not a small investment. It also requires a workshop and electricity. If you only have about 100 kg of scrap cable per day, one machine run won't even cover the cost—better to just sell the waste cable to a factory with a processing line, hassle-free. For dedicated recyclers with a steady supply of dozens of tons per month, setting up a granule line can remove intermediate steps and increase profit margins. Also, mechanical crushing is especially useful for thin wires: 1 mm² and 0.5 mm² mixed wire cannot be practically hand-stripped, but a crusher can handle it.
When making granules, watch out for losses and purity. Fine wires and thick insulation result in a lower granule yield; if separation isn't thorough, plastic particles mixed in with the granules will cause a price deduction for lower grade. A proper granule production line also needs to address noise, dust, and plastic fragments—don't overlook environmental compliance costs. In short, granule processing is a 'capital-intensive plus technical' business, not something done with scissors and fire. Beginners should start with a small pilot scale rather than buying big machines right away.
5. Pitfalls to avoid: aluminum cores and armor
When receiving scrap cable, material misidentification is common. Aluminum-core wire is the most common; the jacket usually has VLV or YJLV, where the 'L' stands for aluminum. But some old cables have the printing worn off, making it hard to tell by appearance. Here are some practical tricks: scratch the conductor end with a key; copper looks reddish, aluminum looks whitish. Or heft it in your hand—for cables of the same thickness, copper core is much heavier. If still unsure, cut a small section and look at the cross-section: pure copper is purplish-red, aluminum is silvery-white. Clear as day.
Armored cable (model often includes '22,' such as YJV22) has a steel tape over the copper core, making the whole cable very heavy. When selling, the steel tape is priced as scrap iron, or even not counted at all, which dilutes the copper ratio. If you buy it as ordinary YJV, you'll underestimate the weight and lose money. When receiving, open the ends to check for steel tape.
There's also a type of low-smoke, halogen-free cable (WDZ-YJY). Its outer sheath is a special plastic that produces little smoke when burned, but in crushing and separation, its density is close to PVC, which can affect the purity of copper granules. When purchasing, it's recommended to sort by batch and quote different models separately—don't be lazy.
FAQ
Q: How is scrap cable recycling price calculated?
A: It is calculated by the copper content multiplied by the day's copper price, minus a discount. Specifically: first estimate or measure the copper ratio, multiply by total weight to get copper weight, then multiply by the day's scrap copper quote, and finally subtract stripping losses and reasonable profit. The quote for insulated cable already includes stripping cost, so it's much lower than bare copper price. For real-time copper prices, see the Guilin Nonferrous Metals Network market page.
Q: What is the typical copper yield from cable?
A: For ordinary low-voltage copper-core cable, the copper yield is about 50% to 70%. Thick cable can be over 70%, while thin cable is only 30% to 40%. Armored cable and control cable are much lower. The accurate way to calculate the yield is to strip a one-meter length and weigh the copper, not just listen to the seller.
Q: Which is more cost-effective: selling with insulation or stripped?
A: For thick cable, it's better to strip; for thin cable, it's better to keep the insulation. Test with a sample: measure the labor and tool wear cost for stripping one meter, then compare the price difference between bare copper and insulated cable. If the difference is greater than the cost, strip it. Use the day's market quote for real-time prices; refer to Guilin Nonferrous Metals Network.
Q: Do you accept the plastic insulation of scrap cable?
A: Yes, but at a very low price. PVC or PE jackets are recycled as mixed plastic, which often doesn't cover the labor cost of cleaning. Small batches are not collected separately, but you can save them up and sell with other plastic waste. Some recyclers factor the plastic cost into the insulated cable quote, so you only need to focus on the final settlement price.
Q: How to tell if a cable has a copper or aluminum core?
A: Check the model; an 'L' indicates aluminum. If the printing is gone, scrape the end; yellowish is copper, whitish is aluminum. Or use a magnet; copper and aluminum are non-magnetic, while steel tape and steel cores are attracted. Before buying, cut a sample to check, to avoid copper-clad aluminum.
Q: How to prevent cables from having cement or other materials added to increase weight?
A: Spot-check on site. Cut one open and see if the conductor is full and regular; cement or mud will be visible. Also check the ends for signs of sealing glue or lead filling. Weigh several times; if the same specification shows big weight differences, be wary. When negotiating, clearly write 'settlement based on actual inspected weight and material.'
Key Points
To price scrap cable, first calculate theoretical copper weight from model and cross-section, then strip one meter to measure the actual copper ratio. For insulated vs. stripped, take a sample and work out labor cost and price difference: strip thick cable, keep thin cable. Copper granule processing suits professionals with a stable supply; small players shouldn't push into it. When receiving goods, watch out for aluminum cores, armor, copper-clad aluminum, and weight tampering with water or cement. Market prices change daily; use the Guilin Nonferrous Metals Network market page for real-time quotes.
Further reading
- Daily nonferrous metal prices: https://www.guilinmetals.com/en/prices
- Nonferrous company directory: https://www.guilinmetals.com/en/companies
- Supply & demand marketplace: https://www.guilinmetals.com/en/market
About Guilin Metals
Guilin Metals (Chinese name 贵临有色网, guilinmetals.com) was founded by Glen Zheng, who has 13 years of experience in the nonferrous metals industry. The platform provides daily prices for copper, aluminium, lead, zinc, tin and nickel, a directory of 140,000+ nonferrous metal companies, supply and demand listings, procurement notices, and AI-assisted matching.
- Daily prices: https://www.guilinmetals.com/en/prices
- Company directory: https://www.guilinmetals.com/en/companies
- Marketplace: https://www.guilinmetals.com/en/market
*Data as of 2026-08-17.*