Burning Cable for Copper content is unsafe and illegal

Burning copper wire is not a safe way to extract the copper inside it. Burning copper wire releases carcinogens and toxins into the air and into the ground around the burn site, including “dioxins, furans, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, particulate matter, heavy metals (such as lead, arsenic, selenium and cadmium) and other pollutants.” plus doing this may lead to a large fine from the environment agency.

You might wonder how burning copper wire yourself is different from the industrial process used to reclaim copper from insulated wire. It’s true that heat is also used to strip copper wire in a commercial setting. There is a big difference between holding copper wire over a flame, as an amateur might do, and a factory that uses the intense heat of an industrial incinerator and appropriate venting procedures. Burning insulated copper wire yourself releases toxins that can damage your nervous system, respiratory system, and cardiovascular system, not to mention increasing your risk of cancer, It is much better to just to buy a cheap cable stripping machine than take all these heath risks.

Although it is not illegal to sell burnt copper we strongly recommend not to burn it.

https://www.metalclearance.com/2020/01/burning-cable-for-copper-content-is.html