TikTok creators monetize copper wire stripping as scrap prices hit record highs

TikTok has become a hub for creators documenting the process of stripping copper wire from old appliances and industrial cables, turning it into a side hustle amid record-high copper prices. While some earn modest sums from selling scrap, the real revenue comes from ad payouts and affiliate marketing of tools like wire strippers, with one device selling over 20,000 units globally via TikTok Shop.

Tarun Mottlia

Editor, Lazyfounder

Published Oct 26, 20262 min read

TikTok creators monetize copper wire stripping as scrap prices hit record highs — Image: WIRED via source

Rising copper prices fuel scrap metal trend

Copper prices reached an all-time high in September 2026, hitting approximately $14,473 per metric ton, or $7.23 per pound, according to WIRED. This surge has driven a wave of activity among scrap metal enthusiasts, particularly on TikTok, where creators document their efforts to extract and sell copper wire from discarded appliances and industrial cables.

The trend taps into broader economic pressures, as copper theft historically rises during periods of high prices and financial distress. While selling lawfully obtained copper is legal in most of the U.S., Minnesota requires a state-issued license, setting it apart from other states.

Monetization shifts from scrap sales to content and affiliate revenue

For many creators, the financial returns from selling scrap copper are relatively small. One creator, @Courtney2291, earned just $99 from selling 30 pounds of copper over six months. However, a single TikTok video from the same creator generated $1,446 in ad revenue after amassing 6.8 million views.

The real opportunity lies in monetizing the content itself. Creators like @Dragonslayer_Industries have capitalized on affiliate marketing, claiming to have helped sell thousands of wire strippers in May. The most popular wire stripper on TikTok Shop has sold over 20,000 units globally, highlighting the platform’s role in driving e-commerce for niche tools.

Some creators set ambitious goals, like King of Copper, who aims to strip and sell one ton of copper. While progress has been slow—collecting 271 pounds in 44 days—the process of documenting the journey, including melting wire into ingots, has become a central part of the content’s appeal.

Offline communities form around copper scraping

Beyond online content, the trend has fostered offline communities where scrappers collaborate in small teams, sharing resources and splitting profits. In some cases, these groups donate metal to individuals experiencing economic hardship, including those facing homelessness. The practice reflects a blend of economic necessity and mutual aid, with TikTok serving as a visibility tool for both the activity and its social dimensions.

What this means

Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.

For founders and operators, this trend underscores how social platforms like TikTok can turn niche, manual processes into scalable content opportunities—even when the underlying activity isn’t inherently lucrative. The real value here isn’t in selling scrap copper but in building audiences around the process, then monetizing through ad revenue and affiliate sales. It’s a playbook that could apply to other skill-based or DIY industries, where tutorials and tool recommendations drive e-commerce.

Sources

WIRED · 2026-10-26
The Hottest New Side Hustle Is Stripping Copper Wire and Posting About It

This story is an original summary drafted with AI by Lazyfounder from the reporting listed above and checked by automated validation. Facts are attributed to their original publishers; sections marked as analysis are Lazyfounder's. Where a source is in another language, facts were machine-translated and quotations are reported, not reproduced. Read the original coverage via the links, and see our AI policy and corrections policy.

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