How to Recycle Copper Wire in Santa Cruz, CA

In an effort to protect the environment, the county of Santa Cruz, California, offers its residents recycling and disposal facilities. Here, you can recycle a wide variety of items, including glass, cans, paper, cardboard, batteries, used motor oil, car filters and scrap metals. Copper falls under the "scrap metals" category -- and its value has increased greatly as of 2011. In Santa Cruz, there are both buy-back recycling centers -- where you can make money for your copper wire -- as well as other recycling centers, where you can recycle simply to protect the environment.

Instructions

• 1

  Gather the copper wire you want to recycle and place it in a box or bag. Decide if you want to recycle your copper wire at a buy-back recycling center, or at a recycling center that doesn't pay.

• 2

  Visit the buy-back recycling center nearest you. Recycling centers that accept and pay for copper wire in Santa Cruz, are Watsonville Metals Co, D & D Recycling and State Steel Corporation.

• 3

  Visit the Santa Cruz County Recycles website, if you are looking to recycle your copper wire and getting paid for it is not a concern. This website links you to the Buena Vista Landfill and the Ben Lomond Transfer Station recycling and disposal facilities. These accept scrap metals, such as copper wire. Select the recycling and disposal facility that is closest to you.

• 4

  Bring your ID when taking the copper wire to the recycling facility. According to the Santa Cruz County Recycles website, ID is required to use the recycling and disposal facilities. This ID is necessary to certify that you are a resident of the county.