Copper Theft Deterrent

A reflective orange label on a metal utility pole base in Minneapolis reads “Aluminum Wiring Inside – No Scrap Value,” a deterrent to metal theft common in urban infrastructure. These signs are typically installed by city or utility crews to reduce vandalism and theft of copper wiring from streetlights and signal systems. Aluminum, though less conductive than copper, is widely used for cost and safety reasons in public electrical networks across Minneapolis and other U.S. cities.