GSIA’s FNSB Recycling (and reuse) Guide

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Copper

Metals
Recycle

Accepted at 4 locations

Copper is a reddish-brown metal found in electrical wiring, plumbing pipes, and electronics that can be recycled repeatedly without losing quality.

Source: downloads.regulations.gov : EPA Draft National Recycling Strategy (1)

Copper Summary

Also known as: Scrap Copper

Parent material: Scrap Metal

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Accepted Locations

Bowen Premium Metals
Recycle
ResidentialBusiness
Address: Fairbanks, AK Get directions ›
DoSeparate by metal type when possible
Don'tCheck business requirements
See details ›

Last updated on May 31, 2026 by Green Star GM

C&R Pipe & Steel logo
C&R Pipe & Steel
Recycle
Residential$Business$
Address: 401 E Van Horn Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Monday–Friday: 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Saturday: 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
DoBring in during operating hours.
See details ›

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

FNSB Landfill - ALSO City of Fairbanks Residential Transfer Site logo
FNSB Landfill - ALSO City of Fairbanks Residential Transfer Site
↳ part of Scrap Metal
Recycle
ResidentialFREEBusiness$
Address: 455 Sanduri Street, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-4pm, Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 12pm-4pm; closed New Year's, Thanksgiving, Christmas
DoSeparate by metal type when possible
Cut large pieces down to manageable sizes
Don'tDon't mix copper with other metals or debris
Don't leave paint, solder, or plastic attached
Don't burn copper wire to remove insulation
See details ›

Last updated on June 21, 2026 by Green Star GM

Moore Recycling & Resale logo
Moore Recycling & Resale
Recycle
ResidentialBusiness
Address: 1550 Spur Ct., North Pole, AK 99705 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-5pm
DoSeparate by metal type when possible
Don'tCheck business requirements
See details ›

Last updated on June 5, 2026 by Green Star GM

About Copper

What it is

Copper in all scrap contributed to about 34% of the U.S. market's demand for refined copper in 2018. This valuable non-ferrous metal is highly recyclable and commonly found in household items like electrical wiring, plumbing fixtures, and appliances. Copper stands out as one of the few materials that can be recycled indefinitely without any degradation in quality, meaning that copper retains its properties, regardless of how many times it is recycled.(2, 4, 8)

How it’s recycled

The preparation process starts with careful sorting to categorize copper scrap based on purity and composition, with recyclers using various techniques to separate copper into distinct grades, from high-purity bare bright copper to lower-grade materials with contaminants. Large pieces of copper scrap are then shredded into smaller, uniform sizes using industrial shredders with powerful cutting blades, creating pieces with consistent dimensions, typically ranging from 1 to 3 inches depending on facility requirements. The waste management industry covers collection, separation, and sorting of a variety of different waste and scrap types, and copper scrap is usually just one of several output streams, while copper smelters and semi fabricators take in the copper scrap and deal with the actual metallurgical recovery.(1, 3, 7)

How to prepare it

Separate your copper by grade and type, with common grades including bare bright copper, No. 1 copper, and No. 2 copper, as sorting your copper helps ensure accurate grading and pricing. Take the time to remove any non-copper attachments or contaminants from your scrap metal, which may include detaching fittings from pipes, or separating other metals or materials from your copper. Strip copper wire to maintain the value of your scrap, as stripping the insulation from copper wire will reduce the amount of time required to process it and can result in your scrap being evaluated as a higher-grade copper.(3, 6, 7)

Common mistakes

Do not burn copper wire – ever, as burning copper wire is illegal in many places, releases toxic fumes and taints your copper, which reduces its value and lowers the efficiency of the recycling process, and is also bad for the environment. Common mistakes also include mixing different grades of copper together, which reduces overall value, and failing to remove non-copper attachments like steel fittings or insulation.(6, 7)

Environmental impact

Copper produced from recycled materials can save up to 85% of the energy needed for mining and extraction. Copper mining and processing generate significant environmental pollution, with open-pit mining disturbing large tracts of land, while smelting operations release sulfur dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere. Recycling copper reduces the need for energy-intensive mining and helps preserve natural resources.(4, 5, 8)

Did you know?

It is estimated that in the last one hundred years, two-thirds of the 690 million tons of copper produced are still in productive use.(2, 8)

Sources & additional reading

  1. EPA Draft National Recycling Strategy downloads.regulations.gov
  2. Copper Recyclability and Recycling Statistics - The Copper Bath Company copperbathcompany.com
  3. Copper Recycling Process: Collection, Melting, Purification, and Industrial Applications | Okon Recycling okonrecycling.com
  4. How Recycled Copper Plays a Pivotal Role in the Energy Transition | World Resources Institute wri.org
  5. The Environmental Impact of Scrap Copper | Okon Recycling okonrecycling.com
  6. A Complete Guide To Recycling Your Scrap Copper generalrecycling.com
  7. Copper Scrap Recycling: A Step-by-Step Guide for Maximum Returns - Inland Steel Products inlandsteelproducts.com
  8. Recycling - International Copper Association internationalcopper.org
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See all locations52
Address: 2128 Van Horn Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm; Sat 9am-3pm

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 975 Van Horn Road, Suite 6 Suite 6, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Last updated on June 20, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 3598 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sat 9:00 AM-12:00 AM, Sun 10:00 AM-11:00 PM

Last updated on June 21, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 2925 Newby Rd, North Pole, AK 99705 Get directions ›

The center processes approximately 40,000 pairs of eyeglasses per year and sends out approximately 30,000 to eye care missions. The Lions ship glasses recycled at their Aurora Borealis Lions Eyeglass Recycling Facility…

Last updated on June 25, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 3027 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sat 8:00 AM-7:00 PM, Sun 10:00 AM-5:00 PM

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: Fairbanks, AK Get directions ›

Contact business for details about collection and dropoff options.

Last updated on May 31, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 401 E Van Horn Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Monday–Friday: 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Saturday: 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

To secure a precise quote for your exact material (whether it is structural steel, pipe, sheet metal, or non-ferrous scrap), it is best to contact them directly.

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Chena Tool Library This location loves volunteers!

Nonprofit
See location details ›
Address: 1917 Lillian Street, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Wednesday 3pm-8pm, Saturday 9am-5pm

A tool library is just what it sounds like: a place for community members to share resources, learn from each other, and check out tools for their own projects. The sharing economy…

Last updated on July 2, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 32 College Rd., Fairbanks, AK Get directions ›
Hours: Dropbox is available 24/7

Last updated on June 3, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 2226 Old Steese Hwy N Y, Fairbanks, AK 99712 Get directions ›
Hours: Dropbox is available 24/7

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 805 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK Get directions ›
Hours: Dropbox is available 24/7

Last updated on June 3, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 301 N Santa Claus Ln, North Pole, AK Get directions ›
Hours: Dropbox is available 24/7

Drop box is located near the Northwest corner of the parking lot just West of the welcome center.

Last updated on June 5, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 1910 Tanana Lp E, Fairbanks, AK 99775 Get directions ›
Hours: Dropbox is available 24/7

Last updated on June 5, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 1650 Cowles St, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-6pm; Sat-Sun 10am-6pm

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 725 26th Avenue, Fairbanks, AK 99701-2377 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am-5:00pm, Sat 10:00am-2:00pm

Last updated on June 20, 2026 by Green Star GM

Fairbanks Rescue Mission This location loves volunteers!

Nonprofit
See location details ›
Address: 723 27th Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: 9am-5pm M-F

The Fairbanks Rescue Mission serves over 100 people a day and are in constant need of the following items: Men’s/ Women’s t-shirts & underwear (New) sm, med , l, xl Men’s Jeans…

Last updated on June 22, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 505 Old Steese Hwy, Ste 126, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sat 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Sun 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

FNSB Central Recycling Facility (CRF) This location loves volunteers!

Recycling FacilityFNSB residents and businesses only
See location details ›
Address: 1855 Marika Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10:00am-5:30pm, Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm, Closed Sunday-Monday

The FNSB Central Recycling Facility (CRF) is an FNSB Solid Waste provided service for FNSB residents and businesses / organizations only. The CRF is funded via the FNSB Enterprise Fund (landfill tipping…

Last updated on July 3, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 455 Sanduri Street, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-4pm, Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 12pm-4pm; closed New Year's, Thanksgiving, Christmas

The FNSB Sanitary Landfill also serves as the transfer sites for FNSB residents living inside the City of Fairbanks.

Last updated on June 21, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 889 Holmes Road, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 5749 Old Chatanika Road, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 13, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 2395 Old Chena Ridge Road, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 2535 Little Shot Road, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 301 Old Steese Highway N, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sun 6am-10pm

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 2180 Farmers Loop Road, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 284 Goldstream Road, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 3485 Old Richardson Highway, North Pole, AK 99705 Get directions ›

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 2740 Old Richardson Highway, Fairbanks, AK 99707 Get directions ›

See FNSB documents for accepted items and fees

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 901 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›

The mission of BRIDGE is to assist young adults with developmental disabilities in gaining skills, knowledge and appropriate behaviors to become successful individuals, citizens and workers in the community.

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 930 Old Steese Hwy, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sun 6:00 am - 11:00 pm

Last updated on June 5, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 3755 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sun 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Green Star of Interior Alaska This location loves volunteers!

NonprofitInterior Alaska
See location details ›
Address: 2134 Texaco Ave Suite A, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Office: Mon-Thu 9am-2pm; Electronics Sales: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 1pm-5pm

Home of the Green Star electronics recycling warehouse and our Reuse IT discounted refurbished electronics store, Repair IT desktop and laptop repair, Rebuild IT computer building classes and Reboot IT technology grants.

Last updated on June 21, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 1301 Old Steese Hwy, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sat: 6:00am - 10:00pm; Sun: 7:00am - 8:00pm

Take compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) to staff at self-checkout lane if service desk attendants do not know where they belong.

Last updated on June 9, 2026 by Green Star GM

Literacy Council - Forget-me-not Books This location loves volunteers!

Nonprofit
See location details ›
Address: 2216 S. Cushman Street, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11:00am-5:30pm

Last updated on July 2, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 1550 Spur Ct., North Pole, AK 99705 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-5pm

Formerly Chena Power / K & K Recycling

Last updated on June 5, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 30 College Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Open 5AM - Midnight 7 days per week.

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 3755 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Open 5AM - Midnight 7 days per week.

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 301 N Santa Claus Ln, North Pole, AK 99705 Get directions ›
Hours: Open 5AM - Midnight 7 days per week.

Last updated on June 15, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 138 10th Avenue, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: 24/7

Last updated on June 22, 2026 by Green Star GM

The Folk School This location loves volunteers!

Nonprofit
See location details ›
Address: Pioneer Park, Cabin 66, 2300 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: By appointment or class schedule

Last updated on July 1, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 1651 College Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99709 Get directions ›
Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00am-7:00pm, Sat-Sun 10:00am-6:00pm

Last updated on June 20, 2026 by Green Star GM

Address: 2222 S Cushman St, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Get directions ›
Hours: Monday - Saturday: 10:00am - 5:30pm

Acceptable items: Clean Clothing Linens and towels Clothing accessories: belts, ties, scarves, hats Small appliances Clean shoes, boots, sandals, etc. Vehicles with titles Toys, games, puzzles Eye glasses Books, DVD'S, VHS's, Cassette…

Last updated on June 20, 2026 by Green Star GM


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