Scrap wire and cable represent one of the most common and valuable sources of recyclable copper and aluminum. Electricians, contractors, HVAC technicians, telecommunications companies, and demolition crews generate wire scrap on a daily basis. Even homeowners doing remodels, clean-outs, or appliance disposal often have wire worth recycling.
At MOME Metals Recycling, we purchase all types of insulated and bare wire and cable. Whether you have a five-gallon bucket of Romex from a bathroom renovation or a trailer full of MCM cable from a commercial demolition, we grade it accurately and pay top market prices. Our experienced team knows every wire type by sight and will ensure your material is classified correctly so you get the best possible payout.
Located at 3770 Veronica S Shoemaker Blvd in Fort Myers, our facility is open Monday through Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm and Saturday 8:00am to 2:15pm. Drive in, get weighed, get paid. No appointment necessary.
We purchase every common type of wire and cable. Here is what we buy and how each type is categorized.
Heavy-gauge industrial copper cable used in commercial buildings and power distribution. MCM cable has thick copper conductors and high recovery rates, making it one of the most valuable wire types. Often found during commercial demolitions and electrical upgrades.
Single-conductor copper wire with a single layer of insulation, 16 gauge or heavier. This includes heavy THHN wire and other single-insulated copper conductors. The copper core must be clean with no tin coating, solder, or other contamination.
Thermoplastic high heat-resistant nylon-coated wire. THHN is one of the most common wire types electricians work with daily. Used in conduit for commercial and residential wiring. The single nylon-coated insulation makes it easy to strip for higher value.
Non-metallic sheathed cable used in residential construction. Romex contains two or three copper conductors inside a plastic outer jacket. Common in home wiring, remodels, and new construction. Romex is classified as #2 insulated wire due to its double insulation layers.
Double-insulated copper wire, extension cords, appliance cords, and other wire with multiple insulation layers. This category includes Romex, SO cord, and other multi-conductor cables. Pays less per pound due to the heavier insulation-to-copper ratio.
Cat5, Cat6, telephone wire, coaxial cable, thermostat wire, speaker wire, and other low-voltage communications cable. These have thin copper conductors and heavy insulation, resulting in lower copper recovery. Still valuable in quantity.
Insulated aluminum building wire, aluminum service entrance cable, and bare aluminum wire. Aluminum wire is common in older homes and large commercial feeders. Priced separately from copper wire. Keep aluminum and copper wire sorted apart for best pricing.
Old or broken Christmas lights and holiday string lights contain small-gauge copper wire. While individual strings are light, accumulated volumes from seasonal clean-outs or commercial display companies can add up. Accepted as low-grade insulated wire.
Old, damaged, or surplus extension cords of all lengths and gauges. Extension cords are classified as #2 insulated copper wire. Heavy-duty outdoor cords with thicker gauge wire are worth more per pound than lightweight indoor cords.
This is the most common question we hear from electricians and scrappers. The answer depends on the wire type, gauge, and your time. Stripping wire removes the insulation to expose bare copper, which commands a significantly higher price per pound. But the labor involved is not always justified.
The key factor is the copper recovery rate, which is the percentage of copper by weight compared to the total weight of the insulated wire. Thick wire with thin insulation has a high recovery rate, making stripping worthwhile. Thin wire with heavy insulation has a low recovery rate, making the labor not worth the incremental payout.
Describe your wire and we will tell you whether stripping is worth your time.
239-334-1191Wire and cable prices are determined by the type of wire, the gauge, and the current copper or aluminum market price. Heavier wire with higher copper content per foot commands better pricing. We grade every load accurately using industry-standard classifications to ensure you receive fair market value.
Our pricing is updated daily to reflect current commodity markets. We offer transparent pricing with no hidden fees, no surprise deductions, and no low-ball offers. What we quote is what we pay.
If you are an electrician or electrical contractor, these are the wire types you likely generate on a regular basis:
The most common commercial wiring. Single conductor, nylon-coated insulation. Higher grades for thicker gauges.
Standard residential wiring. 12/2 and 14/2 are the most common gauges from residential jobs.
Heavy industrial feeders from commercial projects. Highest value wire type due to thick copper conductors.
Used from the meter to the panel. Heavy gauge with aluminum or copper conductors. Priced based on conductor metal.
Proper preparation and sorting can significantly increase the amount you receive for your wire scrap.
Keep THHN separate from Romex, and both separate from communications wire. Each type is graded and priced differently. Mixing wire types forces everything to be priced at the lowest grade in the pile.
Cut off steel junction box connectors, plastic plugs, and molded ends. These non-copper attachments add dead weight and can downgrade your wire classification. A quick snip with wire cutters adds value.
Copper and aluminum wire are priced very differently. Mixing them means everything gets priced as the lower-value aluminum. Keep dedicated bins or buckets for each metal type on your job sites.
If you generate wire scrap regularly, keep a barrel on site and make less frequent but larger trips. This saves you time and fuel. For larger volumes, ask about our commercial accounts and container programs.
Knowing what type of wire you have helps you understand its value and sort it correctly before bringing it in. Here are the key identifying features of common wire types.
THHN is a single conductor with one layer of thin nylon-coated insulation. It runs inside conduit. Romex is a flat cable with two or three insulated conductors plus a bare ground, all wrapped in a white, yellow, or orange outer plastic jacket. THHN is typically worth more per pound due to its higher copper-to-insulation ratio.
Copper wire is heavier, has a reddish-orange color when exposed, and is more flexible. Aluminum wire is lighter, silver-gray in color, and more rigid. If you are unsure, nick the insulation to expose the conductor. The color difference between copper and aluminum is unmistakable.
Thicker wire contains more copper per foot and commands better pricing. Wire gauge is usually printed on the insulation. Common residential gauges are 12 and 14 AWG. Commercial wire runs from 10 AWG down to large MCM sizes. The heavier the gauge, the more valuable the wire.
Communications cable (Cat5, Cat6, phone wire) has very thin copper conductors with heavy insulation and low copper recovery rates. Power wire (THHN, Romex, MCM) has substantially thicker copper conductors. The difference is obvious by weight: power wire is much heavier than communications cable of the same length.
Copper is one of the most valuable and widely recycled metals on Earth. Recycling copper wire uses up to 85% less energy than mining and refining virgin copper ore. Every pound of copper recovered from scrap wire is a pound that does not require environmentally destructive open-pit mining.
Wire insulation that ends up in landfills can take hundreds of years to decompose. By recycling your wire and cable, you keep plastic out of landfills while recovering valuable copper and aluminum that re-enters the manufacturing supply chain. Recycled copper maintains 100% of its electrical conductivity and performance characteristics, making it identical to newly mined copper for every application.
It depends on the wire type and gauge. Stripping thick copper wire like MCM or heavy gauge THHN typically increases your payout because the bare copper is worth significantly more per pound. However, stripping thin wire such as communications cable, Christmas lights, or extension cords is usually not worth the time. Call us at 239-334-1191 to discuss your specific wire types.
We buy all types of scrap wire and cable including MCM industrial cable, THHN wire, Romex wire, #1 and #2 insulated copper wire, communications and low voltage wire, aluminum wire, Christmas lights, extension cords, service entrance cable, and more. Both stripped and unstripped wire is accepted.
Insulated copper wire prices vary based on the type, gauge, and copper recovery percentage. Heavier insulated wire with higher copper content pays more per pound. Prices change daily with the copper market. Call MOME Metals at 239-334-1191 for current insulated wire pricing.
Yes, we buy aluminum wire including insulated aluminum building wire, aluminum service entrance cable, and bare aluminum wire. Aluminum wire is priced separately from copper wire. Keep aluminum wire sorted separately from copper wire to ensure proper pricing for both.
Yes, but removing steel or plastic connectors before selling typically increases your price. Wire with connectors may be downgraded depending on the type and amount of non-copper material. Removing plugs, junction boxes, and steel connectors is usually worth the effort.
MCM stands for thousand circular mils, a measurement of wire cross-sectional area. MCM cable is heavy-gauge industrial copper cable used in commercial buildings, power distribution, and industrial applications. It is highly valuable because of its thick copper conductors and high copper recovery percentage. MCM cable is one of the most sought-after wire types in scrap recycling.
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