To get the most out of your copper wire for each lb that you recycle, the insulation should be removed so all that you are left with is #1 bare bright copper with a shiny copper color. Make the most out of your scrap copper wire. Take for example a typical house wiring project: you will acquire rolls of following wire sizes: 250 feet of 12-gauge, 250ft of 14 gauge and 250 ft of 14-2 ROMEX. You will have wire leftover from each roll. After the total amount of wire is calculated, it is customary to purchase an extra 250 feet roll of each type of wire just to be sure you have enough of each type.
