Light Copper / Sheet Copper Scrap Prices in Texas

Understanding Light Copper and Sheet Copper

When you are hauling Light Copper or Sheet Copper to the yard, you need to know exactly what you are sitting on. Also known in the trade as #3 copper or roofing copper, this grade consists of unalloyed copper sheet, foil, flashing, gutters, kettles, and downspouts. It is typically very thin—usually less than 1/16th of an inch thick. Because of its real-world applications, buyers expect it to have some minor impurities like paint, solder, or light tar. Across Texas, our data shows yards are currently paying a national average of $4.25 per pound.

You can generally expect the market range to fall between $3.90 for dirtier, tar-heavy loads and up to $4.68 for clean, unpainted sheet copper. While it doesn't fetch the premium rates of #1 Copper or #2 Copper, it is still a highly valuable commodity that piles up quickly on remodeling, roofing, and demolition jobs.

The Veteran Scrapper's Sorting Guide

Preparation is where you make or break your payday. The biggest mistake peddlers make with sheet copper is leaving attachments on. If you tear gutters or flashing off a house, it is almost guaranteed to have steel screws, nails, or heavy steel brackets attached.

Yard Pro Tip: Always run a strong magnet along the seams and joints of your roofing copper and gutters. Scrappers routinely leave galvanized steel nails or hidden screws inside the folds. If the yard inspector's magnet catches a single steel screw, they will instantly downgrade your entire gaylord box to 'irony copper' or hit you with a massive tare weight deduction. Keep a pair of pliers handy and rip those fasteners out before you hit the scale.

Mixing grades is another cardinal sin at the scrapyard. Never mix your Light Copper with premium grades like Bare Bright Copper. If you get lazy and throw painted sheet copper into your bare bright bucket, the buyer will downgrade the entire container to the light copper price. That mistake alone will cost you around $0.55 per pound in lost revenue.

Comparing Your Payload

If you are sorting a mixed load from a job site, keep an eye on your other materials to ensure you are prioritizing your time right. For instance, #1 Insulated Wire is currently trading in the $2.50 to $3.90/lb range. Knowing the spread between these grades helps you decide if it is worth your time to strip wire or if you should focus on cleaning up your sheet copper further.