Bare Bright Copper
Bare bright is the highest-paying copper grade in the UK. It is uncoated, unalloyed copper wire, stripped of all insulation and free of oxidation, solder and fittings. Because a yard can melt it with no further processing, it consistently commands the best rate of any copper grade.
Set by hand on ; not moved by our weekly market check. How we set prices
Compare all Copper gradesHow to Identify
Shiny, clean, pinkish-orange wire. No dull oxidation, no green patina, no insulation. Wire must be at least 1mm in diameter.
Common Sources
Stripped mains cable and heavy twin-and-earth from rewiring work, offcuts from electrical installation, and the inner conductor recovered from armoured or industrial cable. Anything you have stripped yourself from thick cable is usually bare bright, provided the copper underneath is still bright rather than dull.
About Bare Bright Copper
The top grade of copper scrap in the UK. Must be clean, uncoated, unalloyed copper wire with no insulation, no solder, no paint, and a minimum diameter of 1mm.
How This Grade Compares
Bare Bright Copper is a premium grade of Copper scrap. At £4.80–£5.00/kg, it sits within the typical range for this metal. This is among the higher-value grades — sorting and cleaning pays off significantly here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Bare Bright Copper scrap worth per kg?▾
Our guide range for Bare Bright Copper is £4.80–£5.00 per kg (approximately £4,800–£5,000/tonne). It was set by hand on 25 March 2026 and is not moved by our weekly market check, so treat it as a guide and get a quote from the yard.
How do I identify Bare Bright Copper?▾
Shiny, clean, pinkish-orange wire. No dull oxidation, no green patina, no insulation. Wire must be at least 1mm in diameter.
Can I get paid cash for Bare Bright Copper at a scrap yard?▾
Not in Great Britain. Licensed scrap yards in England and Wales must pay by bank transfer or cheque under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, and Scotland has banned cash payments for metal since 2016. Northern Ireland has no equivalent ban, but reputable yards there pay by bank transfer too.
What lowers the grade of Bare Bright Copper?▾
Any contamination reduces your payout. Common issues include: attached fittings or connectors, paint or coating, solder, corrosion, or mixing with lower-grade Copper material. Sort and clean before selling.