You can call Astro City Scrap metal to hear the latest Houston TX copper prices near me. We will give you the most up-to-date market prices on all scrap metals and guarantee to offer the best price per pound for any non-ferrous metal.
Copper scrap is hands down one of the most valuable scrap metal pieces. But why? And where can you find scrap copper?
At Astro City Scrap Metal, we’re here to answer some of the most common questions about scrap metal.
How is scrap metal priced?
Scrap yards almost universally pay by the pound. You probably won’t be paid by scrap.
How much is scrap metal worth?
Before we delve too deep, keep in mind that metal prices vary based on the current market demand. That said, metal type and properties can help narrow down the price window.
Metal properties
The quickest way to know whether your metal is worth selling is by determining whether it’s ferrous or non-ferrous. A non-ferrous metal almost always prices for more than a ferrous one.
So, what the heck is a ferrous or non-ferrous metal? Ferrous refers to whether a metal is magnetic or not. Ferrous metal is magnetic, and non-ferrous metal is not magnetic.
Thankfully, you can quickly determine whether you have a non-ferrous or ferrous metal. All you need is a magnet!
If a magnet sticks to your scrap metal, you have a ferrous metal, and it’s probably not worth selling unless you have a ton or so of it.
On the other hand, if your magnet falls right off the metal, you have a non-ferrous metal! Hurrah! Get to selling!
Copper is one of the most valuable scrap metals.
Metal type
The metals people want most are the ones that sell the highest. Top contenders include copper, brass, and insulated wire.
Copper
If you want to know if Houston TX copper prices near me are high, know that copper is the best of the best! You can expect to receive up to $4.00 per pound for copper scrap. However, if your scrap metal has a low copper content, you won’t get as high a price. In fact, you may only get 50 cents.
Brass
Another safe bet for a reasonable profit metal is brass, which can be either red or yellow. Both will get you around $2.50 per pound, but red brass typically sells slightly higher than yellow.
Insulated wire
This one is trickier because it depends on the type of wire. For example, a No. 10 wire could sell around $4.00 per pound. On the other hand, a No. 2 wire may only get you about $1.60 per pound.
Where can I find scrap copper to sell?
Copper is used in so many applications, from cookware to the medical industry. The most common places you’ll find copper are in wire, pots and pans, plumbing fixtures and pipes, and, more recently, medical trays.
Can I melt and sell my copper pennies?
First, know that not all pennies have oodles of copper. Today, the penny is primarily zinc and only contains about 5% copper. Only pennies minted before 1982 contain 95% copper.
Second, no, you cannot sell melted copper pennies for scrap. It’s illegal to melt pennies for the sole purpose of selling the copper. Further, you can’t legally transport more than $5.00 in pennies between states.
Now, there is a fun exception to melting pennies. You can melt or squish pennies to make a memento. That’s why it’s perfectly legal to heat (and essentially deface) a penny at a park, museum, etc., for a keepsake.
The government may be reconsidering the melting ban because there is a copper shortage. So far, however, they have not legalized it.
One of the most common sources of copper scrap is electrical wire.
Why are Houston TX copper prices near me so high?
Economics 101: copper is both highly desired and hard to find. High demand with low inventory means prices go through the roof.
But what makes copper so desirable? Copper has some fascinating and unique properties. Let’s take a gander.
It’s the jack of all trades.
Unlike the saying, however, it is the master of all. Electricians say copper is the best and safest electrical conductor. It’s also energy-efficient, which saves you money on your energy bills.
Copper is also used in plumbing because it is incredibly durable and resistant. Further, the medical industry and chefs have come to love it because of its antimicrobial properties.
Copper destroys bacteria
Copper is the microbe police. It won’t let bacteria or mold grow. It kills it!
And this isn’t something that man superimposed. Copper naturally has these properties.
Copper medical trays let medical companies spend less time and money on sterilizing. Further, unlike other metals, copper cookware won’t start growing bacteria as it ages. That’s right–your non-copper cookware is cooking up some bacteria for you.
It goes the extra mile and back
Copper is both highly durable and infinitely recyclable. Other metals won’t last nearly as long as copper, and when they are recycled, they’ll lose properties. In contrast, you can recycle copper time after time without losing its valuable properties.
But, you can’t easily find it anymore.
Once upon a time, copper mines were open, and factories were booming. These days, however, copper mines are closed, and few factories remain open. People want copper, so when they do come across it, they’ll pay a pretty penny (unless it’s from 1982 or earlier) to have it.
Astro City Scrap Metal will give you unbeatable Houston TX copper prices near me.
About Astro City Scrap
We are the fastest growing scrap yard in Houston, Texas, and accept non-ferrous (non-magnetic) metals. Astro City Scrap Metal guarantees to give you the best scrap metal prices for brass, copper, aluminum, insulated wires, radiators, carbide inserts, stainless steel, and more!
Metals we accept and do not accept
We accept all non-ferrous (non-magnetic) metals; we cannot accept ferrous (magnetic) metals such as iron and steel.
In addition, for safety and government reasons, we cannot accept certain hazardous metals such as mercury- or asbestos-contaminated materials, radiators with freon, and radioactive materials.
Astro City Scrap Metal is your local scrap yard
The next time you want to sell your scrap metal or find the best Houston TX copper prices near me, we hope you’ll call Astro City Scrap Metal.
Fun Facts about Houston, Texas
- Houston’s Westheimer Road is a portion of Farm-to-Market (FM) Road 1093. The portion called “Westheimer Road” spans nearly 19 miles, while all of FM 1093 stretches over 54 miles.
- If you’re a science buff, you may want to check out the 27.5 foot intestine on display at the Museum of Health and Medical Science.
- The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo was originally called The Fat Stock Show and Livestock Exposition.
For more fun facts, visit the Houston, Texas, website.