BEST PRICES FOR COPPER PIPE & BRASS

Metal Recycling for Plumbers Across East England
Premium Prices | No Need to Remove Fittings | Same-Day Payment

No Need To Strip
We accept copper with solder joints
Top Copper Prices
Premium rates for clean pipe
Same Day Payment
Rapid payment direct to your account
6 Locations
Convenient across East England

Why Plumbers Choose NM Recycling

As a plumber working across Essex, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, or Suffolk, you regularly remove copper pipes, brass fittings, radiators, cylinders, and boiler components. Rather than letting valuable copper accumulate or accepting poor prices, Nationwide Metal Recycling offers plumbers premium rates for all plumbing scrap.

We understand plumbing work - bathroom refits, heating installations, boiler replacements, and system upgrades all generate recyclable metals. You need a partner that makes disposal simple while maximizing your return. That's why we accept copper in any condition (clean or with solder), don't require fittings to be removed, and guarantee same-day payment.

With 6 locations across East England (Colchester, Cambridge, Hitchin, Holbeach, Eye, and Ardleigh), there's always a convenient NMR facility nearby. Many plumbers visit us weekly or arrange regular collections, turning waste materials into reliable extra income.

What Makes Us Different:

  • Accept copper pipe with solder joints - no stripping needed
  • Premium prices for clean #1 copper pipe
  • No minimum quantities - small loads welcome
  • Brass fittings don't need to be cleaned
  • Trade accounts with flexible payment terms
  • Licensed and BMRA accredited

Plumbing Scrap We Buy

Copper Pipework

- Copper pipe (15mm, 22mm, 28mm, 35mm)
- Clean copper tube (#1 grade)
- Copper with solder/joints (#2 grade)
- Copper cylinders and tanks
- Copper boiler heat exchangers
- Mixed copper pipe
- Copper coils from cylinders
- Microbore heating pipe

Brass & Fittings

- Brass fittings and valves
- Brass taps and mixers
- Brass gate valves
- Compression fittings
- Brass stopcocks
- Brass ball valves
- Brass radiator valves
- Mixed brass components

Other Plumbing Metals

We Also Accept:
- Radiators (copper/brass premium)
- Cast iron radiators
- Steel radiators
- Lead pipes (licensed disposal)
- Stainless steel cylinders
- Copper tanks
- Mixed plumbing scrap

Better Prices For:
- Clean bright copper
- Separated by type
- Larger quantities
- Regular customers

Understanding Copper & Brass Prices

Copper and brass prices vary based on type, purity, and market rates. Here's what affects the price you'll receive:

Copper Grade:

  • #1 Copper Tube (clean, no solder) - Highest price
  • #2 Copper (with solder joints) - Premium rate
  • Copper radiators - High value (copper content)
  • Mixed copper - Good rate for assorted copper

Current Market:

Copper prices fluctuate daily based on London Metal Exchange (LME) rates. Call us for today's prices on 01206 231534.

Typical Rates (Guide Only):

#1 Copper Tube (clean): £6.20-6.80/kg
#2 Copper (with solder): £5.80-6.30/kg
Brass fittings: £2.90-3.50/kg
Copper radiators: £4.50-5.50/kg
Lead (licensed): £1.80-2.20/kg

*Prices subject to market conditions and material quality. Call for current rates.

Why Our Prices Are Better:

We're metal recycling specialists, not general waste dealers. We accurately grade copper and brass, use certified weighbridges, and pay London Metal Exchange-based rates without excessive margins.

Estimate Your Scrap Value

Average plumber weekly copper waste:

Bathroom refits: 8-15kg copper
Heating installations: 15-30kg copper
Commercial jobs: 30-50kg+ copper

Weekly Income Potential:

10kg copper pipe @ £6/kg = £60
20kg copper pipe @ £6/kg = £120
40kg mixed copper @ £5.50/kg = £220
Annual Extra Income:
Regular visits can generate £2,500-£9,000+ annually from copper and brass alone.
Get Accurate Quote

Simple 4-Step Process for Electricians

01

Collect Your Copper

Keep copper pipe, brass fittings, and radiators from jobs. Store in van or workshop. No need to remove solder joints or clean fittings.

02

Visit or Call

Drop off at any of our 6 locations during opening hours. Or call for collection if you have regular larger quantities.

03

We Weigh & Grade

Your cable is weighed on certified equipment and graded accurately. Transparent process - you see everything.

04

Get Paid Fast

Accept our quote and receive bank transfer within 2 hours. No cheques, no delays. Cash in hand same day.

Flexible Services for Electricians

Drop-Off Service

Visit Any of Our 6 Sites:

Perfect for plumbers who prefer to drop off weekly or as convenient. No appointment needed during opening hours.

  • Colchester - Central Essex location
  • Cambridge - Quick access from A14
  • Hitchin - North Herts & Beds border
  • Holbeach - South Lincolnshire
  • Eye - Mid Suffolk
  • Ardleigh - Our head office facility
What to Bring:
• Photo ID (driving licence/passport)
• Your copper pipe, brass, radiators
• Business details (if VAT registered)
Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 8am-5pm | Sat: 8am-12pm

Collection Service

Free Collection for Regular Customers:

If you generate consistent quantities, we'll collect from your premises or preferred location.

Collection Service Includes:

  • Scheduled regular collections
  • Flexible timing to suit your schedule
  • Supply of collection bags/drums
  • Documentation for your records
  • Same-day payment on collection
Minimum Requirements:
Typically 50kg+ per collection or weekly/fortnightly schedule.
Coverage:
We collect across Essex, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Suffolk, and Lincolnshire. Call to check your area.

6 Locations Across East England

Convenient metal recycling facilities serving Essex, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Lincolnshire, and Suffolk

Head Office

Ardleigh

Martells Quarry
Ardleigh
CO7 7RU

Covering: Colchester, Clacton, Harwich, Tendring District
View Location

Colchester

16 Commerce Way
Colchester
CO2 8HH

Covering: Colchester, Chelmsford, Braintree, Witham
View Location

Cambridge

Barnwell Junction
Cambridge
CB5 8JZ

Covering: Cambridge, Ely, Newmarket, Huntingdon
View Location

Hitchin

Bridge Works
Hitchin
SG4 0SA

Covering: Hitchin, Stevenage, Letchworth, Baldock
View Location

Holbeach

5A Fen Road
Holbeach
PE12 8QA

Covering: Spalding, Boston, Holbeach, South Lincs
View Location

Eye

The Yard
Nr Eye
IP21 5EX

Covering: Eye, Diss, Stowmarket, Mid Suffolk
View Location

What Plumbers Say

★★★★★

"Best prices for copper pipe in Cambridgeshire. I do mostly bathroom refits and bring copper every Friday. Payment is always same day. The Cambridge site is really convenient."

James Russell
Plumber, Cambridge
★★★★★

"I've been bringing my copper and brass to NMR for 5 years. Fair prices, no hassle, and they don't mind if the pipe has solder on it. Saves me hours not having to clean everything."

Michael Thompson
Thompson Plumbing Services, Colchester
★★★★★

"Excellent service. They collected a big pile of copper from our workshop clearance - over 200kg. Paid us within the hour. Would definitely recommend to other plumbers."

Sarah Williams
Director, Williams Plumbing & Heating, Hitchin

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions plumbers ask about our scrap metal service.

No. We accept copper pipe with compression fittings, solder joints, and brass fittings still attached. While separated copper and brass each get their specific prices, it's not necessary to spend time separating them. The small price difference isn't usually worth the labor time.

#1 Copper is clean, bright copper tube or pipe with no solder, coatings, or attachments - like new clean pipe. #2 Copper has solder joints, minor oxidation, or attached fittings. Most plumbing waste is #2 copper. We grade fairly and explain the classification.

Yes. Copper and brass radiators get premium pricing. Steel panel radiators and cast iron radiators are also accepted but at lower rates as they're ferrous metals. We handle all types - you don't need to sort them.

Yes, we can collect decommissioned boilers as part of larger collections. The copper heat exchanger has good value. For individual boilers from domestic jobs, it's usually more practical to bring them to one of our sites. For commercial plant rooms with multiple boilers, we can arrange collection.

Yes. Green oxidation (verdigris) is normal on older copper and doesn't significantly affect value. We assess the actual copper content. Heavy contamination or non-copper attachments affect grading, but surface oxidation is expected and acceptable.

Photo ID and business details. Lead disposal requires proper documentation under environmental regulations. We're fully licensed for lead handling and provide all necessary waste transfer documentation. This protects you and ensures legal compliance.

Photo ID (driving licence or passport) and proof of address if different. Business details if you're VAT registered. This is required by law under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 to prevent metal theft.

For larger commercial jobs (office buildings, hotels, industrial sites) with substantial copper waste, we can arrange site collection. Contact us with details - location, approximate quantity, and timing. Regular collections are available for plumbing firms with consistent volumes.

Get a Quote for Your Plumbing Scrap

WPForms Widget (or Contact Form 7):

Form Fields Setup:

    1. What type of materials? (Checkboxes)
      • Copper pipe (clean)
      • Copper pipe (with solder)
      • Brass fittings and valves
      • Copper cylinders/tanks
      • Radiators (copper/brass)
      • Steel radiators
      • Lead pipe
      • Mixed plumbing scrap
      • Other
  1. Estimated weight (kg) (Text field)
  2. How often do you have scrap? (Dropdown)
    • One-off
    • Weekly
    • Fortnightly
    • Monthly
  3. Nearest location (Dropdown)
    • Colchester
    • Cambridge
    • Hitchin
    • Spalding
    • Eye
    • Ardleigh
  4. Name (Required)
  5. Phone (Required)
  6. Email (Required)
  7. Postcode (Required)
  8. Additional info (Textarea)

Start Getting Top Prices for Your Copper Today

Visit any of our 6 locations during opening hours or call for collection service.
Same-day payment guaranteed.