Recycling old cables is a practical way for businesses to recover value and meet disposal obligations. Every year, large volumes of cable waste are generated across manufacturing, installation, and decommissioning projects — yet a significant amount is still disposed of incorrectly.
Electrical cables are classed as e-waste and must be handled correctly. Furthermore, cables contain high-value materials, including copper, aluminium, and gold. Recycling allows these materials to be recovered and reused, reducing material costs while supporting more efficient, sustainable cable production.
This guide explores everything you need to know about recycling old electrical cables, including what types of cables can be recycled and how the process works.
What are old cables made of?
Cable construction varies by application, but most cables contain recoverable materials across four main components:
Conductors
- Copper (most common)
- Aluminium (lighter, cost-effective alternative)
Insulation & Jacketing
- PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
- PE (polyethylene)
- Rubber or thermoplastic elastomers (TPE)
Connectors
- Brass and copper alloys
- Small quantities of gold or nickel, particularly in data and signal cables
Shielding
- Aluminium foil
- Copper braid
Many of these materials, particularly metals, are finite resources and are costly to extract and process. There are also strict processes for disposing of cables correctly, in line with environmental regulations.
Benefits of cable recycling
Recycling old electrical cables delivers many clear benefits for businesses. Firstly, it’s a way of recovering valuable materials from redundant cable stock, meaning they can be kept in circulation rather than being written off as waste. Maximising material recovery helps to save on future cable construction costs, as well as waste disposal and landfill fees.
Aside from financial benefits, cable recycling also lowers the carbon impact associated with raw material sourcing and helps businesses comply with environmental regulations.
Risks of incorrect cable disposal
Disposing of cables incorrectly, on the other hand, comes with significant environmental risk. Landfilled cables degrade slowly and can release harmful substances over time. In some regions, improper disposal leads to illegal burning, releasing toxic fumes and permanently destroying valuable materials. Once discarded incorrectly, metals such as copper and aluminium cannot be recovered.
Cable recycling regulations (UK)
In the UK, cable disposal falls under WEEE regulations. Cables are classified as electrical equipment waste, meaning businesses have a duty of care to ensure compliant handling and disposal.
Key requirements include:
- Use of licensed waste carriers
- Recycling old cables through authorised treatment facilities
- Retention of disposal and transfer documentation
Non-compliance can result in fines, enforcement action, and reputational damage, particularly where improper disposal leads to environmental harm or data security risks.
Types of cables that can be recycled
There are many different types of cables used across a wide range of industries and applications. Most commercial and industrial cables can be recycled due to their valuable metal content and reusable insulation materials, including:
- Power cords and extension leads
- USB, Lightning, and charging cables
- HDMI, DisplayPort, and AV cables
- Ethernet, network, and data cables, including twisted pair cables commonly used in communications systems
- Audio cables (XLR and jack leads)
- Coiled, retractable, and multicore cables used in control panels and industrial equipment
- Automotive and marine cables
Even damaged, frayed, surplus, or obsolete cables still contain recoverable materials. Rather than being discarded as general waste, these cables can be processed through specialist recycling streams to recover valuable resources and reduce environmental impact.
How cable recycling works
Professional cable recycling follows a controlled, industrial process designed to maximise material recovery and minimise waste:
- Collection – Via licensed e-waste facilities, retailers, or scrap recyclers
- Sorting – Cables are separated by type, size, insulation, and metal content to improve processing efficiency
- Shredding – Industrial machinery reduces cables into manageable fragments
- Separation – Granulators, magnets, and air tables separate valuable metals from plastic insulation
- Material recovery – Copper and aluminium are recovered for reuse; plastics are recycled or processed for energy recovery
Modern recycling processes can recover over 95% of metal content from cables, significantly reducing the need for virgin raw materials.
Where to recycle old cables
In the UK, businesses can recycle old cables through various avenues, including:
- Licensed e-waste recycling facilities
- Approved scrap metal recyclers
- Retailer take-back schemes
- Commercial and industrial cable recycling services
Using authorised channels allows businesses to maximise material recovery whilst ensuring proper compliance with regulations.
In some cases, working cables may also be reused rather than recycled. They may be reused internally for testing, prototyping, or temporary installations, or donated to schools, community projects, or local organisations. Reusing old cables reduces purchasing costs and extends product life before recycling.
Contact Custom Designed Cables today
At Custom Designed Cables, responsible cable construction and disposal is built into everything we do. We understand the full lifecycle of cables – from design and manufacture through to end-of-life recovery. We focus on designing and manufacturing high-quality custom cables built for performance, longevity, and efficiency across a wide range of applications.
By working closely with our customers, we develop personalised cable solutions that meet precise technical, environmental, and regulatory requirements. This helps to reduce waste, improve reliability, and support more sustainable outcomes from the very start of the product life cycle.
Every cable we produce is built to order and backed by manufacturer warranties, as well as our reliable customer service. From basic data cables to fire-resistant and armoured cables, Custom Designed Cables can provide a tailored solution for your business. Get in touch today to see how we can help.