Educate – Sort – Recycle

Tinned Copper Wire

Learn how Gee Hoe Seng Pte Ltd (GHS) handles the recycling of tinned copper wires in Singapore responsibly and efficiently.

Tinned copper wires are a common type of electrical wire used in industrial, marine, and electronic applications due to their resistance to corrosion. These wires feature a thin layer of tin coating over copper strands, which helps extend their lifespan — but also adds an extra step in recycling.

At GHS, we ensure that tinned copper wires are properly sorted, processed, and recovered, allowing valuable copper to be reused while minimizing environmental impact.

Collected tinned copper wires with silver coating ready for recycling and metal recovery in Singapore.

Educate – Sort – Recycle

Is it Recyclable?

Yes — tinned copper wires are recyclable.

The tin coating can slightly reduce the recovery value compared to bare copper wires, but the core copper remains fully recyclable. With proper separation and processing, both insulated and stripped tinned copper wires can be recycled efficiently at GHS’s licensed facilities.

Educate – Sort – Recycle

Why and What Parts Can Be Recycled?

Tinned copper wire recycling supports resource conservation by recovering high-value copper while safely managing the tin coating.

Here’s why recycling works

  • The copper core remains highly conductive and valuable even with a tin layer.
Recyclable
  • Tinned copper wires (insulated or bare)
  • Tinned copper cable strands

What limits recyclability

  • Insulated wires require additional stripping, reducing recycling value.
  • Contamination from grease, rubber, or mixed materials lowers purity.
  • Burnt wires damage copper quality and cannot be processed safely.
Not Recyclable
  • Mixed-metal wires (aluminum + copper)
  • Burnt or oil-contaminated wires

Note: You do not need to strip insulation or remove the tin coating manually. Simply ensure all wires are clean, dry, and free from contaminants or attachments before collection. Stripped wires generally fetch a higher recycling value, as they require less processing.

Additional Information
Loads with plastic insulation, plugs, or connectors may be subject to reduced weight valuation due to contaminants.
Insulated tinned copper wires have a lower recycling value due to additional processing.

How to Prepare Before Collection / Drop-Off

  • Sort and Separate – Keep tinned copper wires separate from bare or mixed copper wires.

  • Remove obvious attachments – Detach plugs, connectors, or cable ties before collection.

  • Do not send burnt or contaminated wires — these reduce copper purity and recycling efficiency.