Where Does the Cable Price Come From at a Scrap Cable Yard?
Many customers — both private individuals and businesses — bring cables to a scrap yard with one question: how much will I get for this? The answer is never a single number pulled out of thin air. Scrap cable valuation is based on several specific factors that can be understood and anticipated in advance. This leaves no room for misunderstandings at the counter — you know what you're being paid for and how the amount you receive is calculated.
Step One: Weighing on a Certified Scale
The foundation of any valuation is the weight of the material. At EURO-SCRAP, weighing is carried out on a scale with a current certification from the Central Office of Measures (Główny Urząd Miar), meaning the reading is officially confirmed and reproducible. The weighing result is recorded in the documentation — it serves as the starting point for further calculations and forms the basis for issuing the waste transfer document required under BDO (the Waste Database) regulations.
However, the gross weight is only the beginning. The cable's weight alone says nothing about its value — two cables of identical weight can differ in price several times over, depending on what is inside.
Step Two: Wire Cross-Section and Metal Type
A cable is not just metal — it also includes insulation, braiding, armour, and fillers. What we purchase as metal represents only a portion of the cable's total mass. That is why the key parameter in valuation is the wire cross-section and the material of the conductors — copper or aluminium.
Copper Cables
Copper cable purchasing is the most common transaction at our yard. Copper is a metal with high market value, and its price changes daily in line with stock exchange listings. Typical copper cables encountered at scrap yards include:
- Power cables YKY, NYY — used in building electrical installations,
- Control cables YSLCY, YSLY — with thin conductors, often multi-core,
- Single-core wires LgY, H07V-K — popular in industrial installations,
- Telecommunication and computer cables — twisted pairs, UTP, FTP cables,
- High-voltage cables — with thick conductors and extensive insulation.
The thicker the conductors and the less insulating material relative to copper, the higher the scrap purchase price per kilogram of cable.
Aluminium Cables
Aluminium cable purchasing follows the same principles, but aluminium is a cheaper metal than copper — the difference in scrap price is noticeable. Aluminium appears primarily in medium and high-voltage power cables, overhead cables (AFL, AsXSn), and older industrial installations. Here too, the wire cross-section and insulation thickness have a direct impact on the valuation.
Step Three: Metal Content Percentage in the Cable
This is the very heart of scrap cable valuation and the greatest source of misunderstandings. The metal content percentage (also referred to as metal content or stripping yield) is an estimated or measured value indicating what percentage of the cable's mass consists of actual metal — copper or aluminium.
Example: if a cable weighs 10 kg and the copper content is 60%, the scrap yard will pay for the equivalent of 6 kg of pure copper, not for 10 kg. The remaining 4 kg consists of insulation, braiding, and other materials that carry no non-ferrous metal value.
How Is the Metal Content Percentage Determined?
Several methods are used in scrap cable yards:
- Industry tables — for standard cable types (e.g. NYY 4×10 mm²), the standard copper content values derived from manufacturing norms are well known. An experienced scrap yard worker identifies the cable by its marking and assigns the appropriate conversion factor.
- Wire cross-section measurement — for unmarked or non-standard cables, the worker may measure the conductor diameter with a calliper, calculate the cross-section, and then determine the metal mass per linear metre of cable.
- Sample stripping — for large batches or cables that raise questions, the insulation is removed from a cable section and the bare metal is weighed. The resulting percentage is then applied to the entire delivery.
- Visual estimation — for very common cable types, an experienced scrap yard can estimate the metal content based on the appearance of the cross-section, flexibility, and weight relative to length.
How Does the Scrap Price Translate Into Payment?
The final amount for a submitted copper or aluminium cable is calculated using a simple formula:
Payout = cable weight × metal content (%) × current scrap price per kg of metal
The scrap price per kilogram of copper or aluminium changes from day to day — it is linked to the London Metal Exchange (LME) listings and current market conditions. It is therefore worth checking the current rates directly at the scrap yard or contacting us before bringing in the material.
What Contributes to a Higher Cable Valuation?
If you want to get the best possible price for your scrap cable, it is worth knowing what increases the material's value in the eyes of a scrap yard:
- Thick conductors — a larger cross-section means a higher metal share in the cable's mass,
- Thin insulation — less plastic, more metal,
- Clean cables — free from excessive dirt, concrete, soil, or oils,
- Sorted material — separating copper from aluminium speeds up valuation and eliminates errors,
- Legible markings — allow the correct conversion factor to be assigned quickly without the need for measurements.
BDO Documentation — An Obligation, Not a Formality
Every scrap cable transaction involves the obligation to issue a waste transfer document in the BDO system. This is a requirement under the Waste Act — it applies to both businesses and private individuals handing in cables from commercial activity. At EURO-SCRAP, BDO documentation is issued as standard with every transaction, protecting both parties and confirming compliance with waste management regulations.
Cable Purchasing at Multiple Locations — Serving Customers Across the Region
EURO-SCRAP serves customers from Poznań, the Greater Poland (Wielkopolska) region, and surrounding voivodeships. If you are looking for a scrap yard closer to your location, check the available options — we operate, among others, a cable scrap yard in Plewiska and Skórzewo near Poznań, and we also serve customers from other cities such as cable scrap yard in Turek and cable scrap yard in Kutno. For customers from more distant locations, a cable collection service directly from the storage site is also available — subject to prior arrangement of the details.
You can also find our full offer and information about the terms of cooperation on the company's main website: full scrap and non-ferrous metal purchasing offer — EURO-SCRAP.
Summary — What to Remember Before Visiting a Scrap Yard
Cable valuation at a scrap cable yard is neither a mystery nor a discretionary decision made by an employee. It is the result of three measurable factors: the material's weight, the type and cross-section of the conductors, and the percentage of metal content in the cable. Each of these elements can be understood and anticipated before you even arrive at the scrap yard. The better sorted and labelled the material, the faster and more precise the valuation — to the benefit of both parties in the transaction.
