It's a great idea to recycle copper if you have scrap copper available. Copper is widely recognized as one of the most valuable scrap metals out there. 

There are numerous steps you'll want to go through to successfully recycle copper. The following are six key steps to remember when it comes to copper recycling. 

Doing your research on the current value of copper

Before you get started, it's important to have a good idea of what the value of copper is. The price of scrap copper fluctuates over time. You should know roughly how much you can expect to get from your recycled copper before you start looking for a place to recycle it. 

Gathering copper

In order to gather copper that you can recycle, you'll have to learn how to recognize it. It might be difficult for a beginner to know how to recognize copper and distinguish it from other scrap metals like brass. 

Copper is a brownish metal with distinctive reddish or pinkish tones in it. The reddish and pinkish tones in copper help distinguish this scrap metal from brass, which instead has yellowish tones. 

Copper is a nonferrous metal. This means that a magnet should not be attracted to copper. Having a magnet with you while gathering copper and other scrap metals can be helpful in sorting out different types of metal. 

Stripping copper wire

You can maximize the value of the copper you recycle if you strip any copper wire that you have. When you strip copper wire, you remove any insulation that is attached to it. This is important because copper scrap is usually worth more per pound when it has been stripped. 

Finding a recycling center or scrap yard to take your copper

Shop around to find recycling centers in your area that will pay for recycled copper. Different recycling centers and scrap yards might have different policies about taking scrap copper. That's why it's important to do your research and find the best copper recycling option in your area. 

Transporting your copper to the recycling center

You'll have to find a way to get your copper to the recycling center. While you might be able to find a recycling center facility that will pick up scrap copper at your location, you'll probably get more money back for recycling scrap copper if you transport it yourself. 

Earning money for recycling copper

At the copper recycling center or scrap yard, your copper will be weighed. You should be compensated for your copper based on how much the total amount of copper you provide weighs.