Removing wire insulation maximizes scrap value by turning insulated wire into premium "Bare Bright" copper. For low volume, soften the insulation in the sun and pull a sharp utility knife down the length of the wire. For medium to high volumes, use a bench-mounted or electric wire stripping machine.
The easiest way to strip wire is using a dedicated set of wire strippers. Simply insert the wire into the slot that matches your wire’s gauge, clamp the tool closed, twist it gently to score the insulation, and pull straight off.
Stripping cable for scrap requires isolating the valuable inner wire (usually copper or aluminum) from its protective insulation. For best results, only strip cables thicker than your pinky finger (e.g., #8 gauge or larger)—stripping smaller wires is rarely worth the time.
A wire stripper is a hand tool used to safely remove the protective insulation from electrical wires to expose the conductive core. There are several types of tools available for this, ranging from standard manual strippers to automatic mechanisms and power-drill attachments.
For a 100-pound load of 12-gauge wire, insulated wire may generate a baseline return. However, stripping that same load yields roughly 75 pounds of clean copper. If the price spread between “insulated” and “bare bright” is wide, the labor or machine time becomes highly profitable.
Copper is the leading choice in scrap metal values today. In early 2026, current prices for premium grades have surged well past $4 per pound, making it highly lucrative for waste management operations.
Exposing copper wire (or "stripping" it) means removing its protective plastic or rubber insulation. You can do this quickly and safely using specific tools, or with everyday household items if you don't have a stripper on hand.
Classic insulation stripper (manual stripper) – this is a simple tool used to remove insulation coating from electrical wires. It usually takes the form of pliers equipped with appropriately shaped holes or blades adapted to different cable diameters.
The weight difference becomes significant in large installations: 1,000 feet of AWG 2 solid copper weighs 201 pounds while AWG 2 stranded weighs 195 pounds, a 6-pound difference that affects shipping costs and cable tray loading calculations.
Yes, you can absolutely scrap wire without stripping it. Scrap yards will happily accept insulated wire, but keep in mind that you will receive a lower payout per pound because the yard must account for the weight of the plastic or rubber casing.
Air conditioners and heat pumps contain the most copper of any household appliances. A standard residential unit contains between 4 kg and 23 kg (999 to 50 lbs) of copper, primarily located in the condenser, evaporator coils, and compressor motors.
The most effective way to remove old insulation depends on the type. For loose-fill insulation, rent a high-powered insulation vacuum to suction it into large, disposable collection bags. For fiberglass batts, roll the strips up manually and place them directly into heavy-duty construction trash bags.
Chemical: Dip Strip is used to chemically remove the insulation from virtually all magnet and enamel wires of all sizes and insulation types, without damage to the wire. When heated in the specially designed stripping pot, the Dip Strip melts and wires are immersed in the Dip Strip to strip the insulation.
The easiest way to strip wire is using automatic self-adjusting wire strippers. You simply insert the wire into the jaws and squeeze the handles, and the tool automatically measures the insulation, cuts it, and pulls it off without damaging the copper core.
Removing wire insulation safely depends on the tools you have on hand and the gauge of your wire. The most reliable method is using a dedicated tool, but several household alternatives work just as well if you are careful not to nick the inner conductor.
Electricians keep one hand in their pocket—a practice known as the "One-Hand Rule"—to prevent electric current from traveling across their chest and through their heart.
The oldest way is to drill wire sized hole in a 2x4 and screw down a screw perpendicularly so the tip of the screw pokes into the hole from above then pull the wire through the hole. Use a knife to get the outer sheath off. Separate the bare ground wires from the insulated conductors.
Stripping copper wire for scrap is almost always worth the effort financially, as it generally adds about $1.50 per pound to your payout. However, the real deciding factor is the time commitment. Whether it makes sense for you depends entirely on the gauge of the wire and the tools you use.
Don't EVER Burn Insulated Copper
Burning the insulation off copper wire is not only an unsafe, potentially dangerous idea, but it's also illegal in most states. When you burn insulated copper wire, you're burning rubber or plastic.
To make $100 from scrap aluminum, you need anywhere from 55 to 200 pounds, depending on your local scrap yard’s payout rate.
"Dirty copper" is a scrap metal term for unalloyed copper that contains minor contaminants or attachments (like solder, paint, brass fittings, or light oxidation). While still highly recyclable and mostly pure, it requires extra processing at the foundry, which lowers its value compared to clean copper.
Some examples you may have around the house include: