Members of the ACA manufacture a range of electrical cables which contain either copper or aluminium conductors. Both these metals are traditionally easily and reliably recycled.

In most cases other materials are also present in the cable construction to provide insulation and protection to the conductors (which in service may be carrying high voltages).

There are a range of these materials the most common being Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) which is again easily recycled.

Other cables may include polymers for insulation and sheath such as polyethylene, polypropylene and rubber or modified versions of these materials to provide certain features to the cable such as fire retardancy. Cables may also incorporate other metallic elements such as steel wire armour.

To effectively recycle complete cables it is necessary to separate the metallic elements from the other materials and this requires specialised equipment.

Some scrap specialists will be able to accept cables for recycling.

We recommend discussing with your cable supplier directly the most effective way in your region of disposing of any unrequired cable.