#1 Insulated Wire Scrap Prices in Georgia
Current #1 Insulated Wire prices at scrap yards in Georgia. Compare local offers against the U.S. national average to get the most money for your scrap.
Average #1 Insulated Wire Price
The min/max range reflects a blended index (local + national data). Your local high may be lower.
- Low (up to $2.40): Floor price, typically for small loads.
- Mid ($2.81): A fair deal for standard quantities.
- High ($3.90+): Top-dollar rate. Offered for large commercial loads or by the most competitive buyers.
Pricing verified from 2 live board rates today.
#1 Insulated Wire price reference for Georgia
Scrap yards in Georgia don’t always update their prices in real time. To give you a reliable current value, we use the U.S. national average ($2.98/lb). The secondary metals market tracks exchange moves consistently across the country. Use this national figure as your benchmark when negotiating with local yards. #1 Insulated Wire prices across the U.S. →
Top Scrap Yards Buying #1 Insulated Wire in Georgia
These are scrap yards in Georgia that recently updated #1 Insulated Wire prices in our database. Call them to lock in a quote. If your city isn't listed, use the National Index above as a bargaining reference with your nearest buyer.
CMC Recycling
Dale Recycling and Used Auto Parts
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🚀 List your scrap yard ⟶Compare #1 Insulated Wire vs. Other Cable Grades
The #1 rule at scrap yards: if you mix grades, they’ll weigh everything at the lowest rate. See the price gap below — if you have higher-value metal, always sort and weigh each grade separately to avoid leaving money on the table.
Historical Price Trends for #1 Insulated Wire
This chart shows where the market is headed. If the line is climbing, prices are rising — you might get a better deal in a few days. If it’s dropping, don’t wait: sell today before yards lower their buy prices further.
#1 Insulated Wire: Scrap Yard Price vs. World Market (COMEX)
Avg scrap yard price
World market price (COMEX)
#1 Insulated Wire: Spread vs. Exchange — Monthly History
| Period | World price (per lb) | Scrap yard price (per lb) | Spread vs. exchange |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2026 (current) | $5.764324 | $3.14 | -$2.62 (45.5%) |
| February 2026 | $5.880136 | $3.12 | -$2.76 (47%) |
| January 2026 | $5.894887 | $3.15 | -$2.75 (46.6%) |
| December 2025 | $5.497742 | $2.91 | -$2.59 (47.1%) |
| November 2025 | $5.064033 | $2.79 | -$2.28 (45%) |
| October 2025 | $5.050242 | $2.40 | -$2.65 (52.5%) |
| September 2025 | $4.662367 | $2.20 | -$2.46 (52.7%) |
| August 2025 | $4.477984 | $2.30 | -$2.18 (48.7%) |
| July 2025 | $5.482645 | $3.29 | -$2.19 (40%) |
| June 2025 | $4.883233 | $2.93 | -$1.95 (40%) |
| May 2025 | $4.686194 | $2.81 | -$1.87 (40%) |
| April 2025 | $4.654267 | $2.45 | -$2.21 (47.4%) |
| March 2025 | $4.919484 | $2.48 | -$2.44 (49.6%) |
| February 2025 | $4.558107 | $2.74 | -$1.82 (40%) |
| January 2025 | $4.269774 | $2.56 | -$1.71 (40%) |
| December 2024 | $4.157855 | $2.50 | -$1.66 (40%) |
| November 2024 | $4.199383 | $2.52 | -$1.68 (40%) |
| October 2024 | $4.431839 | $2.66 | -$1.77 (40%) |
| September 2024 | $4.292683 | $2.40 | -$1.90 (44.1%) |
| August 2024 | $4.121839 | $2.47 | -$1.65 (40%) |
| July 2024 | $4.375242 | $2.63 | -$1.75 (40%) |
| June 2024 | $4.491083 | $2.56 | -$1.93 (43%) |
| May 2024 | $4.75471 | $2.85 | -$1.90 (40%) |
| April 2024 | $4.363717 | $2.62 | -$1.74 (40%) |
| March 2024 | $3.983645 | $2.32 | -$1.67 (41.8%) |
| February 2024 | $3.801776 | $2.18 | -$1.62 (42.7%) |
| January 2024 | $3.811306 | $2.29 | -$1.52 (40%) |
| December 2023 | $3.871226 | $2.22 | -$1.65 (42.7%) |
| November 2023 | $3.720817 | $2.22 | -$1.50 (40.4%) |
| October 2023 | $3.609306 | $2.05 | -$1.56 (43.3%) |
| September 2023 | $3.759833 | $2.01 | -$1.75 (46.7%) |
| August 2023 | $3.776097 | $2.27 | -$1.51 (40%) |
| July 2023 | $3.8455 | $2.31 | -$1.54 (40%) |
| June 2023 | $3.804983 | $2.28 | -$1.52 (40%) |
| May 2023 | $3.751484 | $2.12 | -$1.63 (43.4%) |
| April 2023 | $4.007367 | $2.40 | -$1.60 (40%) |
| March 2023 | $4.02821 | $2.30 | -$1.73 (42.9%) |
| February 2023 | $4.06475 | $2.44 | -$1.63 (40%) |
| January 2023 | $4.115113 | $2.28 | -$1.84 (44.7%) |
| December 2022 | $3.820726 | $2.29 | -$1.53 (40%) |
| November 2022 | $3.674017 | $2.20 | -$1.47 (40%) |
| October 2022 | $3.430419 | $2.06 | -$1.37 (40%) |
| September 2022 | $3.455283 | $1.88 | -$1.57 (45.5%) |
| August 2022 | $3.616468 | $2.02 | -$1.59 (44%) |
| July 2022 | $3.4195 | $2.05 | -$1.37 (40.2%) |
| June 2022 | $4.118667 | $2.46 | -$1.66 (40.2%) |
| May 2022 | $4.257274 | $2.43 | -$1.83 (42.9%) |
| April 2022 | $4.649533 | $2.79 | -$1.86 (40%) |
| March 2022 | $4.707694 | $2.83 | -$1.88 (40%) |
| February 2022 | $4.502304 | $2.70 | -$1.80 (40%) |
| January 2022 | $4.4345 | $2.23 | -$2.20 (49.6%) |
| December 2021 | $4.332226 | $2.60 | -$1.73 (40%) |
| November 2021 | $4.367567 | $2.62 | -$1.75 (40%) |
| October 2021 | $4.432371 | $2.66 | -$1.77 (40%) |
| September 2021 | $4.2864 | $2.40 | -$1.88 (44%) |
| August 2021 | $4.302984 | $2.50 | -$1.81 (42%) |
| July 2021 | $4.347452 | $2.46 | -$1.88 (43.3%) |
| June 2021 | $4.388783 | $2.40 | -$1.99 (45.3%) |
| May 2021 | $4.618871 | $2.56 | -$2.06 (44.7%) |
| April 2021 | $4.192633 | $2.37 | -$1.82 (43.4%) |
| March 2021 | $4.084726 | $2.36 | -$1.72 (42.2%) |
| February 2021 | $3.861 | $2.00 | -$1.86 (48.2%) |
| January 2021 | $3.607435 | $2.07 | -$1.54 (42.7%) |
| December 2020 | $3.546903 | $2.13 | -$1.42 (40%) |
| November 2020 | $3.21755 | $1.77 | -$1.45 (45.1%) |
| October 2020 | $3.060177 | $1.84 | -$1.22 (40%) |
| September 2020 | $2.9909 | $1.68 | -$1.31 (44%) |
#1 Insulated Wire Scrap Price History — Daily Data
A day-by-day market snapshot in exact numbers. Every day we aggregate buy prices from local scrap yards, recording the average, low, and high. Use this table to track real price movement over recent days.
| Date | Avg price (per lb) | Change | Range (Low/High) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/4/2026 | $2.90 / lb | +$0.25 | $2.90 - $2.90 |
| 2/25/2026 | $2.65 / lb | +$0.10 | $2.65 - $2.65 |
| 2/23/2026 | $2.55 / lb | -$0.10 | $2.55 - $2.55 |
| 1/17/2026 | $2.65 / lb | -$0.05 | $2.65 - $2.65 |
| 1/15/2026 | $2.70 / lb | +$0.10 | $2.70 - $2.70 |
| 1/12/2026 | $2.60 / lb | +$0.40 | $2.60 - $2.60 |
| 12/30/2025 | $2.20 / lb | -$0.20 | $2.20 - $2.20 |
| 12/3/2025 | $2.40 / lb | +$0.15 | $2.40 - $2.40 |
| 11/5/2025 | $2.25 / lb | -$0.10 | $2.25 - $2.25 |
| 10/29/2025 | $2.35 / lb | +$0.10 | $2.35 - $2.35 |
| 10/15/2025 | $2.25 / lb | +$0.15 | $2.25 - $2.25 |
| 10/14/2025 | $2.10 / lb | -$0.10 | $2.10 - $2.10 |
| 10/10/2025 | $2.20 / lb | -$0.05 | $2.20 - $2.20 |
| 10/8/2025 | $2.25 / lb | +$0.05 | $2.25 - $2.25 |
| 9/25/2025 | $2.20 / lb | +$0.15 | $2.20 - $2.20 |
| 9/17/2025 | $2.05 / lb | +$0.05 | $2.05 - $2.05 |
| 9/9/2025 | $2.00 / lb | +$0.10 | $2.00 - $2.00 |
| 9/3/2025 | $1.90 / lb | — no change | $1.90 - $1.90 |
| 8/29/2025 | $1.90 / lb | +$0.30 | $1.90 - $1.90 |
| 8/27/2025 | $1.60 / lb | +$0.15 | $1.60 - $1.60 |
| 4/17/2025 | $1.45 / lb | -$0.55 | $1.45 - $1.45 |
| 3/28/2025 | $2.00 / lb | -$0.15 | $2.00 - $2.00 |
| 3/16/2025 | $2.15 / lb | +$0.25 | $2.15 - $2.15 |
| 9/20/2024 | $1.90 / lb | -$0.30 | $1.90 - $1.90 |
| 6/14/2024 | $2.20 / lb | +$1.00 | $2.20 - $2.20 |
| 3/2/2024 | $1.20 / lb | -$0.75 | $1.20 - $1.20 |
| 2/29/2024 | $1.95 / lb | +$0.10 | $1.95 - $1.95 |
| 12/7/2023 | $1.85 / lb | +$0.07 | $1.85 - $1.85 |
| 10/31/2023 | $1.78 / lb | +$0.03 | $1.78 - $1.78 |
| 10/1/2023 | $1.75 / lb | +$0.10 | $1.75 - $1.75 |
| 9/24/2023 | $1.65 / lb | -$0.05 | $1.65 - $1.65 |
| 5/28/2023 | $1.70 / lb | -$0.30 | $1.70 - $1.70 |
| 3/31/2023 | $2.00 / lb | +$0.20 | $2.00 - $2.00 |
| 1/28/2023 | $1.80 / lb | +$0.25 | $1.80 - $1.80 |
| 9/29/2022 | $1.55 / lb | +$0.05 | $1.55 - $1.55 |
| 9/26/2022 | $1.50 / lb | -$0.10 | $1.50 - $1.50 |
| 8/12/2022 | $1.60 / lb | -$0.50 | $1.60 - $1.60 |
| 7/6/2022 | $2.10 / lb | +$0.05 | $2.10 - $2.10 |
| 5/20/2022 | $2.05 / lb | +$0.05 | $2.05 - $2.05 |
| 1/29/2022 | $2.00 / lb | +$0.35 | $2.00 - $2.00 |
| 1/10/2022 | $1.65 / lb | -$0.25 | $1.65 - $1.65 |
| 9/25/2021 | $1.90 / lb | +$0.10 | $1.90 - $1.90 |
| 8/3/2021 | $1.80 / lb | -$0.05 | $1.80 - $1.80 |
| 6/14/2021 | $1.85 / lb | -$0.10 | $1.85 - $1.85 |
| 5/10/2021 | $1.95 / lb | +$0.05 | $1.95 - $1.95 |
| 4/14/2021 | $1.90 / lb | -$0.10 | $1.90 - $1.90 |
| 3/6/2021 | $2.00 / lb | +$0.50 | $2.00 - $2.00 |
| 2/26/2021 | $1.50 / lb | -$0.30 | $1.50 - $1.50 |
| 1/28/2021 | $1.80 / lb | +$0.45 | $1.80 - $1.80 |
| 11/26/2020 | $1.35 / lb | +$0.15 | $1.35 - $1.35 |
The Real Deal on #1 Insulated Wire Pricing
If you're stripping houses or pulling heavy commercial cable, #1 Insulated Wire (ICW) is your bread and butter. Right now, national averages are sitting at $2.98 per pound, but depending on the buyer and the volume you push, you'll see rates swinging anywhere from $2.40 on the low end to $3.90 for premium loads. This market ties directly to the COMEX copper exchange, usually trailing spot prices by about 47.6%. Local scrap yards in Georgia factor in processing costs and recovery rates, which means the cleaner and thicker your wire, the closer you get to that top-tier payout.
Don't Leave Money on the Scale: Sorting & Prep
One of the biggest rookie mistakes is throwing all your wire into one gaylord box. If you toss lower-grade telecom wire or appliance cords in with your heavy THHN, the scale master will downgrade the entire bin. Mixing clean #1 ICW with MCM & Industrial Cable or basic Romex can cost you around $0.84 per pound instantly. Keep your piles separated to maximize your ticket.
What Actually Qualifies as #1 ICW?
To get the #1 grade, the copper wire inside the insulation must be bare, uncoated, and unalloyed. Think thick gauges: single-strand solid wire or thick-stranded cable (typically 16 gauge and thicker). It cannot have any tin coating, solder, brass fittings, or burnt insulation.
| Grade | Characteristics | National Range |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Insulated Wire | Bare, bright copper inside, thick strands (16+ gauge), no tin coating. | $2.40 - $3.90/lb |
| #2 Insulated Wire | Tinned copper, hair-thin strands, or heavy insulation like extension cords. | $1.50 to $2.15/lb |
| #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade) | Communication wire, data cables, high plastic-to-copper ratio. | $0.60 to $1.20/lb |
| Armored Cable (BX) | Copper wire wrapped in a steel or aluminum outer shielding. | $0.50 to $0.95/lb |
Yard Pro Tip: Always check the cut ends of your wire. If the exposed strands look silvery, take your pocket knife and scratch the surface. If it reveals shiny copper underneath, it's tinned copper. Tinned copper automatically downgrades the wire to #2 Insulated Wire, regardless of how thick the gauge is. Don't try to sneak it into your #1 pile—buyers will spot it and might downgrade your entire load just for the hassle.
To Strip or Not to Strip?
Deciding whether to strip your #1 ICW depends on your volume and tools. If you have an automatic wire stripper, converting #1 ICW to bare bright copper is often worth the effort. The standard recovery rate (the amount of actual copper weight versus plastic) for #1 ICW is usually between 70% and 80%. If you're hand-stripping with a utility knife, save your hands and just sell it insulated unless you're sitting on hundreds of pounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the price of #1 Insulated Wire change so often?
Buyers base their payouts directly on the COMEX copper market. When spot prices shift, yards adjust their board prices accordingly. Currently, expect payouts to sit about 47.6% below the spot price to cover the yard's recovery and processing margins.
Can I include burnt wire in my #1 Insulated pile?
Absolutely not. Burning wire is illegal in most areas and yards will severely downgrade or outright reject it due to environmental regulations and the messy soot left on the copper. Sell it as is or strip it mechanically.
What is a good average price for this grade?
Our data shows a solid national average of $2.98 per pound. However, if you're pushing thousands of pounds on a commercial job, you can often negotiate a slightly better rate with buyers in Georgia.
#1 Insulated Wire scrap prices in Georgia on the map
The map shows cities in Georgia with #1 Insulated Wire scrap prices. Click a marker or pick a city in the list below to see #1 Insulated Wire prices in that location.