As scrap metal buyers, we love learning about our trade – which is why we’ve prepared 35 mind-blowing facts for you to enjoy!

1. Tungsten is the metal with the highest melting point, melting at 3422°C.
   
2. The word metal comes from the Ancient Greek word ‘metallon’ which means quarry or to mine or excavate.
   
3. The most abundant metal in the universe is iron, followed by magnesium.
   
4. The tallest free-standing structures in the world are made of metals, primarily the alloy steel. They include the Burj Khalifa skyscraper in Dubai, Tokyo’s television tower Skytree, and the Shanghai Towerskyscraper.
   
5. The metal Gallium will melt in the palm of your hand.
   
6. Boeing created a new metal called Microlattice that is 100 times lighter than Styrofoam and 99.9% air.
   
7. It snows metal on Venus.
   
8. Steel is the worlds most recycled material – with half of the world’s steel production using recycled steel.
   
9. Roughly 30% of all metals are recycled.
   
10. Water pollution is reduced by 40% when a steel mill uses recycled metal scraps.
    
11. Recycling one aluminium can save enough energy to run a 60-watt light bulb for 20 hours, a computer for three hours and a TV for two hours.
    
12. Aluminium reflects 92% of visible light and approximately 98% of infrared light.
    
13. Because metal was scarce during World War II – the Oscars given out were made of plaster for three years. The recipients were called back after the war to exchange them for gold-plated metal ones.
    
14. Brass doorknobs and handrails are most commonly used in public buildings because brass, a copper alloy, is naturally antibacterial.
    
15. If two pieces of uncoated metal touch in space, they become permanently stuck together. It doesn’t happen on Earth because the atmosphere puts a thin layer of oxidation between the surfaces – preventing adherence. This process is known as cold welding.
    
16. Silver can kill bacteria previously thought immune to antibacterial agents.
    
17. Gold can grow on trees; this happens when the gold particles below the ground are absorbed through a biochemical process. The mineral is then deposited into the tree’s bark and leaves.
    
18. A 14-karat gold LEGO brick was given out in the early 80s to employees who had worked at the Germany LEGO factory for over 25 years. They are valued at nearly $15,000 USD.
    
19. Aluminium can be recycled over and over again without any loss of quality.
    
20. Touching stainless steel will remove the odour of garlic and onion from your hands.
    
21. 95% of all copper ever mined was extracted after 1900. More than half of that has been extracted in the last 24 years.
    
22. Exposure to platinum can turn snails into slugs.
    
23. All of the tin produced in the US is recycled. The United States has neither mined tin since 1993 nor smelted it since 1989 – but currently import it.
    
24. There is more gold in a ton of mobile phones than a ton of gold ore. It takes a ton of ore to get one gram of gold, but you can get the same amount from recycling 41 mobile phones.
    
25. Until 1735 no new metals had been discovered since prehistoric times; iron, copper, silver, gold, zinc, mercury, tin, lead, and bismuth.
    
26. Pure gold is too soft for most applications so it is combined with other metals to become stronger.
    
27. A 15cm x 15cm cube of iridium or osmium would weigh as much as an average adult human.
    
28. Aluminium used to be one of the most expensive metals in the world. Only the wealthiest ate with aluminium utensils, whilst the lesser nobility ate with gold.
    
29. Beryllium, the 4th element on the periodic table, is highly toxic and just 0.25 milligrams (the mass of a grain of salt) can kill a rat.
    
30. There is enough gold in the Earth’s core to coat the Earth 1.5 feet tall.
    
31. Californium-252 costs about $2.7 billion AUD per 100 grams, making it one of the most expensive elements known to man.
    
32. In Australia, steel makes up about 2.5% of the waste that goes to landfill.
    
33. Making new steel from recycled cans uses 75% less energy than making steel from raw materials.
    
34. Approximately 98% of all materials in a battery are recycled.
    
35. An average city bus contains 75,000 cans worth of steel.

Looking for scrap metal buyers in Melbourne?

If you’re looking for scrap metal buyers in Melbourne, then look no further than Metal Men Recycling. We buy all types of scrap metal and even offer pickup and drop-off services for larger loads.

Why not give our scrap metal buyers a call on 03 5941 6677 to see how we can help you. Alternatively, you may also contact us via the enquiry form found on our website. 

With global warming and other environmental issues inflicting our planet every day, reduce reuse and recycle has become one of the more common catchphrases. Metal recycling in Melbourne and around the world has seen a massive boom in the last 100 years in order to combat the growing crises. We have come a massive way since we first started and are now recycling everything from plastics to metals. It is worth exploring just exactly how we got to the booming industry we have today when recycling our metals!

1030: Paper recycling

The first paper recycling procedure was recorded by the Japanese. They had been recycling paper and re-selling it back to their local shops. There was a great absence of paper during 1030 due to the Zushoryo papermakers being fired. This caused the owners of private properties to begin the construction of small paper mills and hired the Zushoryo papermakers to work for them In Japan. They used mulberry, gampi, and hemp to make their paper but in 1031 they used waste paper as a material for remaking more paper.

1897: Materials recovery facility

In New York City the first materials recovery facility was created. A materials recovery facility was where the garbage was sorted at places called “picking yards”. The garbage was separated into various groups depending on the quality of the material. The groups ranged from different sorts of paper and metals to different colours of carpet. These materials were all sorted so they could be recycled and reused.

The 1900s: Recycling in the public eye

The term “Waste to Wealth” became popular along with the concept of recycling. The three Rs became more widely accepted as the public realized how much cheaper it was to reuse and recycle materials than to buy them brand new. 

1904: Aluminium recycling plant

The first industrial American aluminium can recycling plant opened in Cleveland and Chicago.

Metal Fun Fact

Did you know aluminium was worth more than gold in the 1800s?

1939 – 1945: World War II

The breakthrough for recycling both clothing and metal happened during World War II as materials were scarce because the war required a plethora of materials for the many soldiers. Metal and cloth were especially in demand so recycling was imperative if the military were to continue to supply uniforms and weapons to the soldiers. 

Manufacturing essential items for war – including planes and weapons – called for enormous quantities of metal. This was the reason for the halt in the manufacturing of items that required metal as well as why civilians were being asked to donate their spare metal. In more extreme circumstances, communities melted down fences and statues for their metal.

1946 – 1963: Post-war

After the war, there was no shortage of materials, and the need for recycling decreased. With the invention of the landfill, slowly but surely recycling became less popular.

1966: The environmental movement

The environmental movement started up and recycling made a comeback as environmentalists raised public awareness about the environmental issues caused by factories and businesses producing in bulk.

1980 – 1990: Government regulations

Countries such as America and Canada created regulations that made it mandatory for materials such as metals, glass, plastics, and newspapers to be recycled.

The 2000s: Greenhouse emissions

The correlation between global warming and mass production had been confirmed and scientifically proven. Many countries were urged to cut down greenhouse gas emissions and waste productions. This caused metal recycling to boom as it was a proven fact that recycling steel cans save up to 75% of the energy and 40% of the water than if you were to make steel from raw materials. Lower energy consumption also made the process a lot more economical as it produced less greenhouse gas emissions than mining would.

Thinking of recycling metal in Melbourne?

Metal Men Recycling is operating at full capacity during the current pandemic and will provide premium recycling solutions for all types of scrap metal. We offer pickup and drop-off services which include bins of varying sizes so you can easily manage those larger loads. Feel like bringing your scrap in yourself? Our yard features weighbridges that are rated up to 90 tonnes – ensuring a quick and easy experience no matter what vehicle you’re in.

If you’re interested in recycling metal in Melbourne, then contact us by filling out the form on our website or calling 03 5941 6677 and one of our experienced and friendly team members will get back to you.