You can get a free scrap pot from Cookson Gold, who will cash it in for you or give equivalent credit. It must contain nothing less than sterling though.
To see if there's any plated in there, first try a magnet (some plate metals will pick up that way). Otherwise file an end with an emery board and see if any copper peeps out.
I tend to use any scrap wire of 1" or more for making charms and dangles, and also make my own freeform stuff from sheet scraps by torching, but there's still enough to fill a scappot about once a year!
george
