Price trends for copper scrap by grade

over the last 6 months

In the last 6 months in the Copper category: price is up for 3 grades, price is steady for 1 grade, and price is down for 1 grade.

How Have Prices Moved Over the Last 52 Weeks?
Over the past year, the category average ranged from $3.29 to $4.73.
Jun '25Sep '25Dec '25Mar '26Today
How Yard Prices Track the Exchange (COMEX)
Average discount to the exchange for this category: ~28.8% (-$1.87/ lb). Based on 5 grades with exchange data. Normal range for this category: 20%–36%.
✓ All 5 grades are within normal market range

Copper scrap prices by grade in New Jersey

Bare bright copper is the highest grade; each step down (light copper, irony copper) brings a lower per-pound rate. Click any grade to get a detailed price chart, market analysis, and a list of yards currently paying the most.

Bare Bright Copper Based on 4 yards
Avg. Price:$5.18/ lbRange: $4.95 – $5.40/ lb
Trend for 30 days: -3.0%
View Details
+4.3% / 90 days
#1 Copper Based on 4 yards
Avg. Price:$4.88/ lbRange: $4.65 – $5.10/ lb
Trend for 90 days: +4.3%
View Details
+4.3% / 90 days
#2 Copper Based on 4 yards
Avg. Price:$4.63/ lbRange: $4.40 – $4.85/ lb
Trend for 90 days: +4.3%
View Details
+10.6% / 6 mo.
Light Copper / Sheet Copper Based on 3 yards
Avg. Price:$4.27/ lbRange: $3.95 – $4.58/ lb
Trend for 6 mo.: +10.6%
View Details
Copper Turnings Based on 2 yards
Avg. Price:$4.17/ lbRange: $4.17 – $4.17/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details

Scrap yards paying the most for copper scrap in New Jersey

Live prices from local scrap yards in New Jersey. Compare offers and find the buyer paying the most.

💼 Scrap yard owners: Post your buy prices and get more customers
By price
By date
Updated today

ADJ Metals

Keyport, New Jersey3 grades on price list
Bare Bright Wire
$5.40/ lb|🠅 $0.05 (1%)
#1 Scrap Copper Tubing / Flashing
$5.10/ lb|🠅 $0.05 (1%)
#2 Copper Tubing
$4.85/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (2%)
Updated 5/18/2026

Scarpati Recycling and Auto Salvage

Trenton, New Jersey3 grades on price list
Bare Bright
$5.35/ lb|🠅 $0.75 (16%)
#1 Copper
$5.00/ lb|🠅 $0.40 (9%)
#2 Copper
$4.60/ lb|🠅 $0.30 (7%)
Updated 4/15/2026

Rockaway Recycling

Rockaway, New Jersey3 grades on price list
#1 Bare Bright Wire
$5.05/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (2%)
#1 Copper Tubing / Flashing
$4.75/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (2%)
#2 Copper Tubing / Bus Bar
$4.50/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (2%)
Updated 4/11/2026

RAW Recycling

Roxbury Township, New Jersey3 grades on price list
BARE BRIGHT COPPER
$4.95/ lb|🠅 $0.20 (4%)
#1 COPPER
$4.65/ lb|🠅 $0.20 (4%)
#2 COPPER
$4.40/ lb|🠅 $0.25 (6%)
Updated 3/23/2026

Southard Scrap Metal

Rockaway Township, New Jersey4 grades on price list
BARE BRIGHT
$4.70/ lb|🠇 $0.30 (6%)
COPPER #1
$4.40/ lb|🠇 $0.30 (6%)
COPPER #2
$4.15/ lb|🠇 $0.30 (7%)
COPPER #3
$3.95/ lb|🠇 $0.30 (7%)
Updated 3/22/2026

Best Price Recycling

Dennis Township, New Jersey4 grades on price list
Bare Bright Copper
$4.09/ lb|🠅 $0.09 (2%)
#1 Copper Tubing
$4.01/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (3%)
#2 Copper Tubing
$3.81/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (3%)
Sheet Copper
$2.81/ lb|🠇 $0.30 (10%)

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Price chart: copper scrap grades and COMEX Copper exchange data

The chart shows average yard buyout rates and COMEX Copper exchange data for your selected copper scrap grade. When the exchange moves up and local yard prices lag, they typically follow within a few trading days — a signal to hold if you can. When both lines drop, sell now before yards update their offers downward. Switch grades using the selector above the chart.

Calculate the value of your copper scrap lot

Selling a mixed load? Pick the grades below — a weight field appears after you select at least one grade, then the calculator estimates your haul's value from current average prices New Jersey.

Select a metal above to estimate value

Compare copper scrap grades and their value

COMEX Copper (99.9% cathode) is the global benchmark. Each scrap grade trades at a discount based on copper content, cleanliness, and processing needed. Identifying your material correctly before selling is the single most effective step to maximize your payout.

GradeExchange (100%)Yard Price (per lb)Grade Quality
Bare Bright Copper $6.49/ lb COMEX$5.18/ lb
High Grade80%
#1 Copper $6.49/ lb COMEX$4.88/ lb
High Grade75%
#2 Copper $6.49/ lb COMEX$4.63/ lb
Mid Grade71%
Light Copper / Sheet Copper $6.49/ lb COMEX$4.27/ lb
Low Grade66%
Copper Turnings $6.49/ lb COMEX$4.17/ lb
Low Grade64%

📊 What determines the value of copper scrap:

  • Bare bright copper: Stripped, uncoated, unalloyed copper wire #1 — the top scrap grade. Priced closest to COMEX Copper.
  • #1 copper: Clean, uncoated copper pipe, bus bar, and sheet with no solder or paint — just below bare bright.
  • #2 copper: Copper with minor contamination, solder joints, paint, or coatings — discounted vs. #1.
  • Light copper / sheet copper: Thinner gauge; requires more processing — lower payout per pound than heavy copper.
  • Copper turnings: Must be dry and clean of coolant. Oily turnings carry deductions.
💡 Tip: Strip insulation from wiring before you sell — bare bright copper pays far more per pound than insulated wire.