How to Recycle Old Electrical Wiring

Recycling old electrical wiring is an excellent way to prevent it from ending up in landfills while also recovering valuable copper and other metals. With some preparation and care, wiring can be reused, repurposed, or properly recycled through scrap yards. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to recycle electrical wiring in a safe, effective, and environmentally-friendly way.

Dangers of Electrical Wiring and Safety Precautions

Before handling any electrical wiring, it is critical to understand the potential dangers and take proper safety precautions. Some key hazards include:

• Electric shock - Old wiring can still carry current and shock if not properly disconnected and discharged. Always shut off power at the breaker before working with wiring.

• Asbestos - Some old wiring insulation contains asbestos fibers which can be hazardous if inhaled. Wear protective gear when stripping insulation.

• Mercury - Vintage thermostats and switches may contain mercury droplets. Handle carefully and dispose of properly.

• Lead solder - Lead may be present in solder joints. Avoid breathing in any dust or fumes when cutting wires.

To stay safe when recycling electrical wiring:

• Disconnect the power - Shut off electricity at the breaker panel before removing any wiring.

• Check wires with a tester - Verify wires are de-energized with a non-contact voltage tester.

• Wear gloves and safety goggles - Insulated gloves and eye protection prevent shocks and debris damage.

• Work in a ventilated area - Stripping or burning insulation produces hazardous fumes.

• Label any hazardous materials - Mark and dispose of asbestos, mercury, or lead properly.

Gathering and Sorting Old Electrical Wiring

The first step is to gather any unused wiring available for recycling:

• Check the basement, attic, garage, crawl spaces, and storage areas for old electrical wiring no longer in use. Many homes have extra wiring from past upgrades or abandoned during renovations.

• Set up collection bins or piles for different types of wires:

• Copper - Typically has plastic insulation in various colors. Most common type.

• Aluminum - Silver/gray wiring with markings stamped on insulation.

• Armored cable (BX) - Has an outer metal flexible armor over the inner insulated wires.

• Carefully coil longer sections of wiring to prevent tangling and damage. Tie wires together with zip ties or rope.

• Note any accessible junction boxes to remove complete lengths of wire more easily.

Stripping and Preparing Wires for Recycling

Once gathered together, the wiring needs to be stripped of insulation and prepared properly for recycling:

• Use proper wire strippers or cutters to remove the plastic or rubber insulation. Take care not to cut the inner metal conductor.

• Copper wires - Strip any paper, fabric, or fiber insulation as well to access the bare copper metal.

• Aluminum wires - These are coated in a tough plastic oxide layer. Scrapers, sanders, or chemical strippers help remove this layer.

• Clean wires with soap and water to remove any dirt, grime, or grease. This prevents contamination at the recycling facility.

• Straighten any kinked or tangled wires to flatten them out neatly in uniform lines.

• Cut wires into manageable 3 feet lengths and bundle together with zip ties. Don't mix copper and aluminum wires.

• Weigh the various metal types separately on a scale. This will determine the payment amount at the scrap yard.

Where To Recycle Electrical Wires

There are several options available to recycle old electrical wiring depending on how much you have collected:

• Scrap yards - Take stripped copper and aluminum wires to a metal recycling facility. Payment is based on metal type and weight.

• Habitat for Humanity ReStores - Donate intact wires, cables, boxes, and hardware to ReStores for reuse.

• Municipal hazardous waste collection - Asbestos wiring can often be recycled through city hazardous waste programs.

• Wire manufacturers - Companies like Encore Wire and electricians may accept bulk wiring for industrial recycling.

• Online metal buyers - Sell insulated copper wire through online metal purchasing services. They provide free shipping and handling.

• Electronic waste disposal - Some e-waste recycling centers like Eco-Cycle accept wiring and cables.

Repurposing Electrical Wiring

Instead of recycling, consider repurposing old electrical wires for DIY projects:

• Art sculptures - Shape interesting wire sculptures by bending and joining wires together.

• Crafts - Use wire for jewelry making, wreath frames, candle holders, ornaments, and more crafts.

• Home storage - Coil wires neatly to store extension cords or organize work areas in the garage.

• Bottle drying racks - Connect wires in a criss-cross pattern for an easy dish drying rack.

• Pet cages - Wire leftover BX armored cable into customized cages, kennels, or runs for pets.

• Garden structures - Form durable arbors, plant supports, trellises, and fences from wire in the yard.

With proper handling, old wiring can be an excellent source of scrap metal value and also useful material around the house and garden. Use caution when stripping and disposing of any hazardous insulation or components. By recycling or repurposing aged electrical wires, we keep them out of landfills and extend their lifecycle. With some creativity, they can take on an entirely new purpose.