Copper Wire Recycling — Why It Pays to Strip or Chop Your Wire

Got Old Wire? Don’t Just Toss It — Strip It or Chop It.

If you’ve got a bin full of old extension cords, electrical wire, or leftover wiring from a reno, don’t throw it out. That insulated copper wire could be worth more than you think.

At Emro, we help homeowners, contractors, and tradespeople across Alberta get better payouts through smart copper wire recycling, and one of the best ways to boost your return is by understanding the difference between stripping and chopping your wire.

Why Copper Wire Is So Valuable

Copper is one of the most sought-after metals in the scrap world. It’s used in:

• Electrical wiring

• Plumbing

• Appliances

• Construction

Because of its high conductivity and recyclability, clean copper fetches a much higher price than mixed or insulated material. But here’s the catch — most copper wire comes wrapped in plastic insulation. That outer layer reduces the payout unless it’s removed.

Option 1: Strip It Yourself

If you’ve got the time and patience, stripping copper wire manually is a solid way to boost value.

Tips for stripping wire:

• Use a sharp utility knife, wire stripper, or hand-crank stripper

• Always cut away from yourself for safety

• Sort by gauge — thicker wire (like BX cable or #1 copper) brings better value

• Wear gloves and eye protection

Keep in mind: stripping wire can be time-consuming and dangerous if done improperly, especially with fine-gauge or heavily insulated wire.

Option 2: Let Emro Chop It for You

Want better value without the hassle? We offer wire chopping services that mechanically strip and process wire, saving you time and boosting your return.

Here’s how it works:

1. You collect your insulated wire (household, industrial, etc.)

2. We pick it up (anywhere in Alberta — residential, commercial, or job site)

3. We run it through our wire chopper, which separates copper from insulation

4. You get paid based on the value of clean copper, not the insulated weight

It’s a faster, safer, and more profitable way to handle your scrap wire.

Types of Copper Wire We Recycle

We accept:

• Household electrical wire (14/2, 12/2, etc.)

• Extension cords

• Communication cable

• BX and armoured cable

• Automotive wiring harnesses

Not sure what you have? No problem. We’ll help you sort it and tell you what’s worth chopping or separating.

How to Recycle Copper Wire in Alberta (The Easy Way)

You don’t need to haul anything. With Emro’s scrap metal pick-up in Alberta, we come to you. Copper prices are strong, and if you’re throwing out insulated wire, you’re losing money. Whether you strip it yourself or let us handle it with our wire chopper, copper wire recycling is one of the easiest ways to put money back in your pocket.

Have wires to get rid of? Contact Us