Newcastle & Hunter Region, NSW

Scrap Cable Recycling in Newcastle & NSW

Offcuts from a rewire, a reel of old building wire, or a box of extension cords that don't work anymore? We buy scrap copper and aluminium cable across Newcastle and much of NSW. Free pickup, a phone quote first, and payment once it's weighed and checked.

Call 0475 750 416 Get a free quote
Free pickup
Weighed & paid on the spot
Registered NSW dealer
4.9 Google rating
Scrap cable ready for recycling in NSW
Building wireExtension cordsBare copper
The short version

What kinds of cable are accepted

Most cable is copper or aluminium wire wrapped in a plastic or rubber sleeve, and both the metal and the offcut are worth collecting. Building wire, extension cords, appliance leads, data and telecommunications cable, and aluminium cable from bigger jobs are all accepted, whether it's insulated or already stripped back to bare wire.

01

Household cable

Old extension cords, appliance leads and general electrical offcuts.

02

Building & job site cable

Offcuts and full reels of electrical wire left over from a renovation or a build.

03

Bare copper wire

Already stripped copper, the highest value form of scrap cable.

Worth knowing before you sell

Insulated cable vs bare copper wire

Bare copper wire is worth more per kilo than insulated cable, because the insulation has to be stripped off before the copper can go for recycling. You don't need to strip it yourself, insulated cable is accepted as is and priced accordingly, but if you've got the time and the right tools, stripping it first can get you a better return on a large load.

One thing to be clear about, burning cable to strip the insulation is illegal in NSW and releases toxic fumes into the air. Any legitimate dealer processes cable mechanically, not by burning it, and won't buy cable that shows signs of having been burned.

Selling cable, step by step

How to sell your scrap cable

Short answer, you describe what you've got, get a rough phone quote, then a pickup is arranged. Payment happens after the cable is weighed and checked. For a bigger job, like clearing a full reel or offcuts from a renovation, call ahead so the right vehicle and enough hands turn up.

  1. Gather your scrap cable

    Copper or aluminium, insulated or bare. Separate by type where you can to help with pricing.

  2. Request a quote

    Call or fill out the online form with a rough weight or amount and what type of cable it is.

  3. Accept the offer

    You'll get a rough value based on weight, whether it's insulated or bare, and current market rates.

  4. Arrange pickup or drop off

    A pickup gets arranged for bigger loads, or you can drop cable off at the yard yourself.

  5. Get paid

    Get paid on the spot once the load is weighed and checked.

Prices move with global markets

What affects scrap cable prices

Short answer

Whether the cable is copper or aluminium, insulated or bare, and current market rates.

Copper is worth more per kilo than aluminium, and bare wire is worth more than insulated cable of the same metal, since the insulation adds weight without adding value and has to be removed before recycling. A clean load that's already sorted by type will generally price better than a mixed bag of different cables and metals.

Exact prices aren't listed here because they shift with global markets, sometimes week to week. A dealer can only give you a real number once they know the type, rough weight and condition of what you've got. If you want current pricing, it's more reliable to call and ask than to trust a figure you saw somewhere else online, since those go stale fast.

Ready when you are

Call now for a scrap cable quote

Call 0475 750 416 Get an instant quote
Newcastle based, NSW wide

Scrap cable collection areas across NSW

Newcastle is home base, with real coverage across the Hunter Region, Central Coast, and out to Muswellbrook, Taree, Forster, Port Macquarie, Tamworth and Armidale. Towns that aren't verified as served have been left off this list rather than added for the sake of it.

Newcastle Maitland Raymond Terrace Cessnock Toronto Cardiff Belmont Morisset Nelson Bay Singleton Central Coast Gosford Wyong Forster Taree Port Macquarie Armidale Muswellbrook Tamworth Full list of service areas →
The part most scrap dealers skip

What NSW law requires when you sell scrap cable

Scrap metal dealers must not carry on a business of dealing in scrap metal without the business being registered under the Act, and heavy penalties apply for breaching the legislation. Registered dealers are prohibited from paying for scrap metal with cash, cheque payable to cash, or in kind with goods or services, and must keep a record of each transaction, including details of the person selling the metal.

  • Bring valid photo ID to the transaction.
  • Expect to give payment details, like a bank account, instead of getting cash in hand.
  • Don't be surprised if a legitimate dealer asks where a large amount of cable came from, that's the law, not the dealer being difficult.

Sources: NSW Police Force — Scrap Metal Industry · NSW Legislation — Scrap Metal Industry Act 2016 & Regulation 2024 · NSW EPA

Also collected

Other metals we buy alongside scrap cable

Most jobs turn up more than one type of scrap. These are also picked up and paid for on the same visit.

CopperPipes, radiators and shiny copperCopper radiator recycling →
BrassFittings, fixtures and industrial scrapBrass scrap recycling →
Electric motorsBought for their copper and steelElectric motor buyback →
AluminiumCans, foil, extrusions and general scrap
Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Copper and aluminium cable is accepted, insulated or bare, from household offcuts to full reels from a job site.

Yes. Bare, stripped copper wire is worth more per kilo than insulated cable, because the insulation has to be removed before the copper can be recycled. You'll still get paid for insulated cable, just at a lower rate.

You can if you want a better price, but it's not required. Bring it as is if you'd rather not deal with stripping it yourself.

No. Burning cable to strip insulation is illegal in NSW and releases toxic fumes. Cable is processed through proper mechanical stripping, not burning.

Yes. Pickup is part of the standard service across Newcastle and the wider Hunter Region, not something you arrange or pay for separately. For a full reel or a large job site load, book ahead.

Copper building wire, extension cords, data and telecommunications cable, aluminium cable, and offcuts from electrical or construction work.

No. Under the Scrap Metal Industry Act 2016 and the Scrap Metal Industry Regulation 2024, registered NSW dealers can't pay cash for scrap. Payment is traceable, usually paid to a bank account.

Valid photo ID. Dealers are required by law to record who sold them the scrap, so this applies everywhere in NSW, not just with this business.

Newcastle is home base, with coverage across the Hunter Region, Central Coast, Forster, Taree, Port Macquarie, Armidale, Muswellbrook and Tamworth. If your town isn't listed, call and check rather than assuming either way.

Ready to sell your scrap cable?

Bring your ID, and if you're selling in bulk or as a business, be ready with payment details since cash isn't a legal payment method for scrap in NSW. For bigger jobs, mention the volume and location upfront for a faster, more accurate quote.

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