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An old basement full of junk could be sitting on more money than you realize. Copper hides inside appliances, behind walls, and wrapped around motors you forgot you kept. At M&M Recycling, we see people come in every week, surprised by what they find once they know where to look. You don't need a metal detector or a construction site connection to start collecting scrap copper worth real cash. We're sharing the spots treasure hunters miss so you can turn your next cleanout into a payday.
A dead refrigerator in the corner of your garage contains more copper than most people expect. The compressor alone holds copper tubing and windings that add weight to your haul. Washing machines have copper in their motors and internal wiring, and the same goes for dryers and dishwashers. Even the ancient dehumidifier collecting dust has copper components inside the compressor and coils. Before you drag an old appliance to the curb, consider what a scrap metal buyer pays for copper versus what the garbage truck offers you. Microwaves contain copper wire in their transformers, and vacuum cleaners hide small amounts in their motors. Garbage disposals, blenders, and stand mixers all have copper windings inside. Look past the plastic housing and sheet metal exterior. Most appliances built before 2010 contain more copper than their newer counterparts because manufacturers have since shifted to cheaper materials. A single afternoon dismantling old appliances can yield several pounds of copper wire and tubing. You'll need basic tools like screwdrivers, pliers, and wire cutters. Work in a ventilated space and wear gloves. The copper you extract from one broken washing machine might surprise you with its weight and value.
Every homeowner accumulates electrical cords over the years. Extension cords with frayed ends or damaged plugs still contain perfectly good copper wire inside. The tangled mess of phone chargers, laptop power cables, and old television cords in your junk drawer has scrap value most people ignore. Those strings of Christmas lights you replaced because half the bulbs burned out contain thin copper wire running their entire length. A single strand doesn't amount to much, but most households have boxes of old lights stuffed in storage. Ten or fifteen strands add up to a respectable pile. Speaker wire, coaxial cable, and Ethernet cords all contain copper. Old lamp cords and appliance power cables belong in your copper collection. Scrap metal recycling gives these items a second life instead of sending them to landfills, where they sit for centuries. The insulation on wires affects their value at the scrap yard. Stripped copper wire commands higher prices than insulated wire. You can strip insulation yourself with a utility knife or wire strippers, though this takes time. Many people find the extra effort worthwhile for larger gauge wire. Either way, these everyday items convert to cash rather than taking up space.
Copper plumbing is one of the most valuable scrap items in residential properties. Homes built between the 1950s and 1990s commonly used copper pipes for water supply lines. If you've replaced any plumbing, those old pipes belong at a scrap metal company rather than in a dumpster. Check your basement for abandoned pipe runs. Renovations sometimes leave old sections in place when contractors install new lines. These orphaned pipes serve no purpose but retain their full scrap value. Copper fittings like elbows, tees, and couplings add up faster than you'd think. A single bathroom remodel can produce a handful of fittings worth collecting. Water heaters contain copper in their connections and internal components. The pipes leading to and from the tank are prime salvage targets. Even brass fittings have copper content and carry value at a reputable scrap yard. Look behind walls during demolition projects. Plumbers sometimes leave short sections of copper pipe inside walls when capping off old fixtures. These hidden pieces add weight to your collection. Solder joints on copper pipes contain a small percentage of copper as well. Clean copper pipe free of solder, paint, and corrosion fetches the best prices. A wire brush removes surface oxidation and makes your material more presentable. Sort your pipe by diameter and condition before your trip.
Preparation determines how much money you walk away with. A scrap metal company grades copper by type and cleanliness. Bare bright copper wire, stripped of all insulation and free of corrosion, earns top dollar. Number one copper includes clean tubing and bus bars without paint, solder, or other contaminants. Number two copper has some impurities like solder joints, paint, or light corrosion. Mixed or insulated copper wire falls into lower categories. Separating your copper by grade before arrival saves time and ensures accurate pricing. Remove any steel, aluminum, or plastic attached to your copper pieces. A magnet helps identify steel components that would downgrade your material. Cut soldered joints off pipe sections if you want to maximize your number one copper. Weigh your haul at home on a bathroom scale before you leave. This gives you a baseline expectation and prevents confusion at the counter. Store copper in dry conditions to prevent additional oxidation. Bundle similar items together in buckets or bags. Label your containers if you've sorted by grade. Scrap metal recycling in Peachtree City works best when sellers arrive prepared. You'll spend less time at the scale and more time counting your payment. Clean material earns better prices and processes faster. A little effort at home translates directly to dollars in your pocket.
Your next basement cleanout could fund a weekend getaway or knock out a bill you've been putting off. M&M Recycling accepts copper in all conditions and pays competitive prices based on current market rates. Our experienced team weighs and grades your material accurately. We work with everyone from first-time sellers to seasoned scrap collectors. Bring your copper haul to our facility and find out what your junk is worth. As a trusted scrap metal buyer in Atlanta, GA, we've built our reputation on fair scales and honest transactions.
