# The Hottest New Side Hustle Is Stripping Copper Wire and Posting About It

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-hottest-new-side-hustle-is-stripping-copper-wire-and-posting-about-it/
- Published: 2026-10-26T11:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-26T12:06:21+00:00
- Original publisher: Wired
- Original article: https://www.wired.com/story/the-hottest-new-side-hustle-is-stripping-copper-wire-and-posting-about-it/
- Topics: Trending, Weird & Viral

## Key points

- TikTok users are sharing videos of stripping copper wire to sell.
- Copper reached about $14,473 per metric ton in September.
- Higher prices can encourage both legitimate scrapping and theft.

## Summary

TikTok users are posting videos of themselves stripping copper wire and selling the metal for extra cash, turning a repetitive task into a visible side hustle. The trend has gained traction as copper prices have climbed, though the videos feature people with varied motives, from electricians supplementing their income to hobbyists and people saving for a purchase.

Copper is worth more when stripped of its plastic or rubber insulation, although removing it can be tedious. International Monetary Fund data put its price at about $14,473 per metric ton, or $7.23 per pound, in September, more than double its September 2020 value. Researchers say rising prices and economic hardship can also contribute to copper theft, while legal scrappers include workers, people making ends meet and those raising money for charity.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.