Copper is a metal that has diverse applications and has been used for thousands of years. It is also 100% recyclable.
For scrap metal processing it is broken down into several categories:
Copper Tubing or Bus Bar
#1 copper tubing is 1/16 inch thick and has no paint, solder, or other contaminants or attachments that would affect the recovery
#2 copper tubing may contain paint, solder, or other contaminants with a lower recovery rate
Copper Wires
#1 copper wire, or bare bright, is clean material that is not tined or tarnished with a minimal thickness of 16 gauge and recovery of no less than 99.5%
#2 copper wire could be tined, painted, or enameled with a recovery of not less that 96%.
Insulated copper wires are graded on their content
Sheet Copper or Light Copper
#1 copper is new and shiny with no tarnishing
Light copper is used roofing or gutter copper that is not leaded and has a recovery rate of 92% content or better
Leaded copper is sheet copper with a coating of lead on it.
