Wondering what the current Houston TX copper recycling prices are? Or why it’s even so valuable? Astro City Scrap Metal is here to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about copper.
If you’re looking for the latest Houston TX copper recycling prices, call Astro City Scrap Metal today
What are the latest Houston TX copper recycling prices?
Firstly, all scrap metal prices vary based on the current market demand. The most valuable scrap metal is hands-down copper. However, the copper content matters.
Pure copper and metals with a high copper content will sell at the highest prices, potentially up to $4.00 per pound. Scrap metal that has a low copper content or is contaminated may only bring you 50 cents per pound.
If you want the best Houston TX copper recycling prices, call Astro City Scrap Metal. We guarantee to meet or beat our competitor’s prices.
Why are copper prices so high?
Copper is not as readily available as it once was. At the same time, it is in high demand. The combination of low availability and high demand has made copper prices surge.
Why is copper so popular?
In short, copper is in high demand because it the ideal metal to use in many industries. You’ll find it in kitchens, electrical wiring, plumbing parts, and more.
It’s a fantastic conductor
Copper is considered the best and safest electrical conductor on the market. It’s also so efficient that it reduces energy loss and lowers carbon dioxide emissions. This makes copper the number one choice for electrical wiring.
Since it heats and cools so quickly, it’s popular in the kitchen. You can boil water faster, saving energy and lowering your bills. Not to mention you get to eat sooner.
Copper has antibacterial properties
Cooper and its alloys kill bacteria and fungi. Other metals degrade over time and allow mold and bacteria to build up. As a result, copper’s antibacterial properties make it popular for pots and pans, medical supplies, and air conditioning units.
It’s lightweight
Metal objects are often heavy and difficult to carry. Not copper, though. It’s comparatively very light.
Since copper is so lightweight, transportation costs are lower. In addition, chefs and other cook-fanatics won’t break their backs picking up copper pots and pans.
One benefit of copper is that can be recycled over and over
Copper can be recycled over and over
Copper can be recycled without losing its inherent properties. In contrast, other metals lose some of their properties when they are recycled. Some metals you can’t recycle at all.
It has unbeatable durability
When it comes to electricity, copper is about as durable and reliable as you can get. From cookware, wiring, or something else, copper objects will last an exceptionally long time.
What are some common sources of copper that I can sell?
The most common places you can find copper for scrap are in electrical wires, certain A/C units, and car parts. However, there are other sources of copper all around you:
Medical equipment: This is a fairly new application for copper and is becoming popular because of copper’s antimicrobial properties.
Plumbing fixtures: Some piping and plumbing parts, like connectors, are made of copper. In both instances, copper is prized for its durability.
Motor parts: Vehicles may use copper components for conductivity and durability.
Roofing: You may find a copper base in some roofing materials because it helps the roof last longer and comes with minimal upkeep.
Jewelry: Most often, copper is used as a base for jewelry. However, you may find a piece or two of full copper jewelry.
What about my pennies?
First, not all pennies are equal. The government minted nearly pure copper pennies between 1959 and 1982. Any pennies made after 1982 are mostly zinc.
Further, you cannot melt pennies to sell the copper. It’s illegal. Interestingly, you also cannot transport more than $5 worth of pennies across states.
You can legally melt pennies for personal keepsakes. This allows us to create smushed penny mementos at museums, zoos, or other popular tourist places. In addition, should you want, you can melt pennies to make yourself a piece of jewelry–just don’t plan on selling it.
Lastly, if you were to melt your pennies for sale, you won’t make much of a profit. Experts who look at copper from melted pennies won’t be able to grade it easily. By the time someone is able to grade it, you’ll have suffered a huge loss.
Astro City Scrap metal is the fastest-growing scrap yard in the Houston area
About Astro City Scrap Metal
We are a scrap metal recycling yard in Houston, Texas, that buys and sells many types of scrap metal by the pound. Astro City Scrap Metal can accept all non-ferrous, also called non-magnetic, scrap metal.
As one of the fastest-growing scrap yards in the Houston area, we guarantee to give you the best metal prices per pound. We also sell scrap metal at competitive prices.
Metals we accept
Astro City Scrap Metal accepts non-ferrous metals. Non-ferrous metal is a metal that is not magnetic.
The simplest way to tell whether you have a non-ferrous metal in your hands is by seeing whether a magnet sticks to it. If a magnet does not stick to your metal, you have a non-ferrous metal, and we will gladly buy it! However, if a magnet does stick to your metal, we cannot accept it.
Common examples of non-ferrous metals we accept are aluminum, copper, brass, most stainless steel, alloys, and more. A few common products we see are radiators, insulated electrical wires, copper pots and pans, copper tubing or piping, and more.
At Astro City Scrap Metal, we know you have better things to do than see if a magnet sticks to your metal. That’s why we offer free testing onsite. We will check any metal you bring in and let you know whether it’s non-ferrous.
Metals we cannot accept
We cannot accept ferrous metals such as steel and iron. Examples include some construction metals and railroad tracks.
In addition, we cannot accept certain items due to safety or government issues, such as air conditioners with freon, beer kegs, computers, glass, batteries, metals with mercury, radioactive chemicals. We have the full list of things we do not accept on our site.
Astro City is your local scrap yard
The next time you’re wondering what the latest Houston TX copper recycling prices are, we hope you’ll give us a call.
Fun Facts about Houston, Texas
- Pedestrians can use the 6-mile long underground tunnel system to get to many major restaurants and stores.
- JP Morgan Chase Tower is the tallest building in Texas, standing 1,002 ft.
- John Milkovisch created The Beer Can House using 39,000 cans of beer that he drank over the course of 18 years.
- For more fun facts about Houston, visit their website.