Copper #1 (Millberry)
Copper #1, also called Millberry, is clean unalloyed copper in tube, bus bar or sheet form. It sits just below bare bright: light surface oxidation is tolerated, but solder, paint, fittings and alloyed material are not. It is the grade most household plumbing copper falls into once cleaned.
Set by hand on ; not moved by our weekly market check. How we set prices
Compare all Copper gradesHow to Identify
Clean copper pipe, copper bus bars, and uncoated copper sheet. Light surface oxidation is acceptable, but not green verdigris. No painted sections, no solder joints.
Common Sources
Central heating and plumbing pipe with the joints cut off, copper bus bars from electrical panels and switchgear, uncoated copper sheet and offcuts from roofing or craft work, and heavy-gauge copper from industrial strip-outs.
About Copper #1 (Millberry)
Copper #1 covers clean copper pipe, bus bars, and sheet copper with no significant contamination. Must be free of solder joints, excessive corrosion, and paint.
How This Grade Compares
Copper #1 (Millberry) is a high grade of Copper scrap. At £4.40–£4.70/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 Copper #1 (Millberry) scrap worth per kg?▾
Our guide range for Copper #1 (Millberry) is £4.40–£4.70 per kg (approximately £4,400–£4,700/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 Copper #1 (Millberry)?▾
Clean copper pipe, copper bus bars, and uncoated copper sheet. Light surface oxidation is acceptable, but not green verdigris. No painted sections, no solder joints.
Can I get paid cash for Copper #1 (Millberry) 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 Copper #1 (Millberry)?▾
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.