A new trend is emerging on TikTok where users are documenting the process of stripping copper wire to sell it for extra cash. Participants range from hobbyists and electricians to cash-strapped teenagers, all drawn by the all-time high copper prices this year. In September, copper was worth about $14,473 per metric ton, or $7.23 per pound, more than double its value in September 2020.
The trend has sparked a variety of creative content, from wire-stripping 'date nights' to tutorials on the best cables to strip. Some creators, like @Courtney2291, have turned it into a side hustle, using the platform to raise funds for big purchases. Courtney earned just $99 from selling 30 pounds of copper over six months, but a single TikTok video generated $1,446 from 6.8 million views.
Other popular creators, such as King of Copper and Queen of Copper, focus on the scale and spectacle of the process, stripping hundreds of pounds of wire and melting it into ingots. They occasionally repost each other's content but claim no affiliation. The trend has also led to the marketing of wire strippers and other goods on TikTok Shop, with some creators earning commissions on sales.
Craig Depken II, a professor of economics, notes that copper theft tends to increase when prices rise and economic distress is high. While selling scrap copper is legal in most of the US, it's important to note that Minnesota requires a state-issued license.