If you’ve been looking for scrap metal buyers for a while now, you might know that the value of your metal can fluctuate. But why is that? Ultimately, it comes down to a few key determiners. In this week’s blog, we’re looking at those factors that can affect the value of your scrap metal.  

 

Ferrous vs. non-ferrous metals 

Knowing the type of metal you have is the first step in figuring out how much you can be paid for your scrap metal. Generally, non-ferrous metals are of higher value to scrap metal buyers. However, large quantities of ferrous metals also have a good chance of selling.  

Ferrous metals contain iron. They may be mixed with other metals to achieve different desired properties, depending on the intended use of the metal. For example, stainless steel is an alloy of iron, nickel and chromium. Due to the chromium, the stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion, making it a perfect metal for kitchenware. 

Some examples of ferrous metals include: 

• Stainless steel 
• Cast iron 
• Carbon steel 

Non-ferrous metals do not contain iron and they are sought after because they typically don’t rust or corrode. A few examples of non-ferrous metals are: 

• Brass 
• Tin 
• Copper 
• Aluminium  
• Lead 

You might be wondering how to tell if your metal is ferrous or non-ferrous. Simply holding up a magnet to the metal will give you an indication of the answer; ferrous metals are typically magnetic.  

 

Quantity of metal 

Quantity is everything, especially for ferrous metal. You’re much more likely to negotiate a higher price for a whole bin full of metal rather than a few separate kilos. This is because buying in bulk is more convenient and reduces the transportation cost for the scrap buyer.  

If you’re a business or a residential property with lots of scrap metal, you might want to consider getting a scrap metal bin. Building up the quantity of your scrap metal before selling it is an ideal way to get the most money from your scrap.   

 

Location of the scrap buyer 

Your distance from the scrap buyers can affect the price. This is because buyers will need to factor the transportation costs into their offer. Therefore, for the best price, it is important to find a locally-run scrap dealer. 

 

Industry demand 

Both domestic and international levels of demand affect the price of local scrap metal. Like any item, high demand and low supply will mean high earnings. Alternatively, low demand and high supply will result in low earnings.  

Domestic levels of demand can often depend on the local industries that require metal, such as the construction industry. If the industry is struggling in general or going through a dry spell, you will find there’s less demand for scrap metals. This drives down the price you’ll be able to sell it for. 

International demand also plays a hand in the amount of money you can earn from scrap metal. Big importers of scrap metal – like China and India – affect the overall global prices of these metals. Economic downturns or lower demand for scrap metals in these countries can cause slumps in local prices.  

 

Quality of the metal 

The quality of the scrap metal also affects its price. If, for example, it is attached to insulation, then the scrap buyer may not be willing to pay as much for it because they will need to remove the insulation themselves.  

There are other quality factors to consider, too: 

• The purity of the metal – is it an alloy? Purer metals are typically worth more. 
• What kind of scrap metal is it? Sheets and casting are speciality metal scraps and often pay better than random scraps. 
• Is the metal corroded? Often, corroded metals attract lower prices. 

 

Looking for scrap metal dealers? 

When it comes to finding a buyer of scrap metal, you’ll want to ensure that they can handle the job that you need doing. For example, some scrap metal dealers only handle business scrap metal because there is a larger quantity of metal. Other buyers only purchase non-ferrous metals.  

At Metal Men Recycling, we collect both ferrous and non-ferrous metals. With 24-hour pickup from industrial and residential areas alike, no job is too big or too small for us. We even supply bins for your scrap metal and pick them up at your convenience.  

Metal Men Recycling is based in Pakenham. Don’t hesitate to give us a call on 03 5941 6677 today to speak with our friendly local team! 

So you’ve realised it’s time for reinvention. Perhaps you’ve noticed you are losing employees and customers. Or maybe business is stagnant, and it has been that way for a while. Either way, you should start thinking about ways you can reinvent your business with growth in mind. In today’s blog, we’re looking at the steps you can take to achieve just that.

1) Update your research

The first thing you must do to reinvent your business is update your current information. This means reassessing all aspects of your business from your supply to your customers.

It’s easy to look at sales and know something isn’t right, but you should focus your attention to each detail making up your business. These are just some questions you can ask yourself:

• Has your customer demographic changed or expanded?
• Do your employees help make your business vision a reality?
• Is there a new alternative source of supply that is just as good but costs less?
• Do your employees seem happy? Why/Why not?
• What are your competitors doing?

With your new research, you might find problematic holes in your business. From here, you can start fixing them.

 

2) Pretend you’re an outsider

It’s vital to remain as objective as possible when assessing problems in your business. Emotional or nostalgic ties to products, suppliers or employees that just aren’t good for growth can be harmful to your vision.

One way you can try to be impartial is by assessing your business as if you were an outsider. Try to abandon the assumptions you hold about how your business operates and ask yourself the tough questions.

 

3) Invest your time online

In today’s online climate, it would be extremely detrimental not to reassess your company’s online presence along with the other features of your business. Ensure the online identity of your business reflects the values and ideas of your actual company; edit old posts that don’t strengthen company beliefs.

You should also look into updating the website, posting regularly on social media, and keeping your customers informed through email newsletters. It’s important to keep your content fresh, simple and accessible to your audience.

Networking online is another must-do. This can happen formally through sites like LinkedIn, or it can be as simple as participating in a discussion through Facebook comments.

 

4) Conduct and attend workshops

A smart way to think of personalised business strategies is to speak to those who know all about your company – your employees. You can conduct weekly or monthly meetings to discuss concepts for reinvention. It’s also in their best interests to keep the business growing, so giving them the incentive to contribute to workshops is not a bad idea either.

Another thing you can do in regards to workshops is attending them. You can find countless professional seminars and workshops running in Victoria year-round to help business owners tackle related issues.

As a bonus, workshops are a fantastic way to network. By meeting like-minded business owners, you will grow your list of connections, and stumble on ideas that way.

 

5) Reinvent company culture

How productive your employees are can obviously affect the turnover of your business. But you cannot increase productivity simply by demanding it.

To encourage employees to be more productive, you need to think about how to reinvent culture instead of sales. This means you need to think about the purpose of your company, what values you want your business to foster, and what your company stands for.

Once you answer those questions, you can then implement your ideas into your company using various initiatives. Examples might include staff rewards, staff bonding time/social events, regular encouragement and constructive feedback. You can also communicate your newfound vision to your employees and open a discussion on the why’s, what’s and how’s of your ideas.

6) Out with the old, in with the new

Taking physical steps to transform your business can be beneficial as well. By showing that you care about what it’s like to be an employee of your own workplace, your employees, in turn, will feel cared for. Therefore, better physical surroundings can encourage your employees’ senses of motivation.

It doesn’t mean you need to redo your whole office or work area. It can be as simple as getting a few new office plants or clearing out a messy space.

 

At Metal Men Recycling, we can help you reinvent your company by clearing out any scrap metal for cash. That’s right – we pay you to clear up a space that might be demotivating to employees, or that could be used for something more efficient for your company’s growth. And with 24-hour pickup, you can call us on 03 5941 6677 any time for assistance.

Iron is an essential part of our lives. It’s in our tools, our buildings, our food and it is in our blood. It’s an important part of our ecosystem and part of our history. But, how much do you really know about Iron? This week we are testing your knowledge of iron by sharing unusual facts about iron.

 

Mars is red because of Iron

Mars gets its distinct red colour from iron oxide on its surface. Iron oxide is made from iron and oxygen that is commonly known as rust. The big red planet is really a ball of rust.

 

We have been using iron for at least 5,000 years

The earliest artefact with iron in it is Egyptian beads dated 3200 B.C. We don’t know the exact period in which iron was first used. Some archaeologists believe it could be even earlier, however, until more is discovered we can only speculate.

 

We probably first extracted iron from meteorites

The iron from the Egyptian beads dated 3200 B.C. was actually made from a meteorite. So the first iron used was from space! Is was probably a siderites class of meteorite because they are mostly made from iron.

 

Iron changed the way we farm

The Iron Age marked an era in which the widespread use of iron tools changed the way we lived. Iron made farming tools strong enough to cut through harder soils. The tools meant farming was easier, so people had more free time to create and discover new things.

Iron came from a world meaning ‘Holy Metal’

The word for ‘iron’ came from the Anglo-Saxen word ‘iren.’ Some historians say that the original meaning for ‘iren’ was ‘Holy Metal’ because it was used to make weapons for the Crusades in Europe.

 

There is a snail that uses iron for its shell.

This ironclad mollusk is called the scaly-foot snail and it lives in deep ocean environments. It absorbs iron in its habitat to create a chain mail like shell made from iron sulphide. The scaly-foot snail is nature’s coolest metal recycler by repurposing iron to make armour.

 

If you’re looking for ways to recycle any iron you have lying around your home, Metal Men Recycling will take your scrap metal for cash. To find out more about our services get in touch with us by calling 03 5941 6677.

What do you know about metal? 

Approximately 75% of the elements in the periodic table are metals. Many metals are strong, shiny and hard and are known for conducting electricity and heat. Metals are also typically malleable. In this week’s blog, we share four fun facts about metal. 

1) There are lots of different types of metals 

There are all sorts of metals. In the periodic table, we see metals that are pure elements. This means they are made out of the same atom, such as iron, gold, silver, and platinum. However, there are also other kinds of metal which you wouldn’t normally think of as metals, such as sodium and potassium.  

2) Many metals are alloys 

Alloys are metals that combine two or more elements. Today, many of the metals we use are alloys. They are also referred to as metallic compounds. Alloys are usually stronger and harder than pure metal. 

An example of a an extremely strong alloy is steel. While there are several different kinds of steel alloys, the most common one is made out of iron and then combined with small amounts of carbon.  

3) Where do you find metal? 

Metal is found inside rocks in mines. These rocks are referred to as ore. To separate the other minerals in the rock from the metal, ore must be heated to incredibly hot temperatures in a procedures known as smelting. 

4) Recycling metal 

Did you know that you can recycle metal?  

The mining of metals is expensive and harmful to the environment. Therefore, it’s essential that we recycle metals once we are done with them. An easy way to do this is to bring your metal to us – at Metal Men Recycling! We provide cash for scrap metal. To learn more or to get a quote, please call us on 03 5941 6677.  

It might be the end of January but that doesn’t mean we’re done thinking about the year ahead. One way we can all improve the world and feel better about the world in 2018 is by taking care of our planet. So in this week’s blog, we’re sharing three easy ways to reduce, reuse and recycle.  

1) Be proactive and commit to recycling 

While most of us know the difference recycling can make, there’s still a lot more we can be doing to reduce waste. To do this effectively, we need to be educated. Make sure to research the different types of recyclable items your local council accepts. Also, check in your local council by phone or on their website to see if you’re recycling the most you can each fortnight.  

2) Embrace the op shop 

What’s better than discovering a hidden gem for only $2? That’s what op shops offer. And this year, we’re urging everyone to get on board! Not only will your wallet thank you, but the environment will, too. So what are you waiting for? Come on – and get thrifting. 

3) Use sustainable shopping bags 

We’ve all been there. We get to the checkout at the grocery store and realise we’ve left our resuable bags at home. While there’s no use beating ourselves up in these situations, try to make a conscious effort this year to use sustainable shopping bags. Plastic bags are made from petrochemicals which pollute the environment. So say no to plastic bags and embrace the sustainable option in 2018. 

 

Another great way you can help our planet is by recycling scrap metal. At Metal Men Recycling, we collect scrap metal for cash. To learn more, please call us on 03 5941 667.  

We all know how important it is to look after our planet. And most of are making a conscious effort to do our best. But how do we master the art of recycling – so we can become recycling superstars? Well, in this week’s blog, we share five ways to be a better recycler. 

1) Find out the rules for your local area 

The first thing you can do in your journey to be a better recycler is to look up the specific recycling rules for your neighbourhood. Make sure to find out the recycling schedule and see if you are required to get a specific recycling bin or if you can use any receptacle.  

Councils implement recycling rules to prevent non-recyclable materials from getting into the recycling stream. The problem with these materials is that they exposure employees to unsafe working conditions and increase operation costs.  

2) Rinse and dry contains before putting them into the bin 

This is an easy one you can do that will make a world of difference. While you don’t need to run your jars through the dishwasher, it is important to rinse away all the food residue and make sure the containers are empty and dry.  

3) Re-purpose items 

Remember to re-purpose both recyclable and non-recyclable items before you get rid of them. This is an awesome and easy way to help the environment so don’t forget to reuse and repurpose where possible.  

4) Buy recycled 

The next step you can take to become a recycling superstar is to buy recycled products. Make sure to look for the recycling symbol, which is a circle of arrows.  

5) Accumulate less waste  

Ultimately, you want to strive for a lifestyle that accumulates less waste. This means buying more plastic-less products and reusing as much as possible. 

Another way to become a recycling superstar is to recycling your scrap metal. Recycling your scrap metal is a great way to help the planet – and pick up some extra cash! At Metal Men Recycling, we are a family owned company that recycles scrap metal for cash. To learn more, please call us on 03 5941 6677.  

This year, January 1st fell on a Monday- which is pretty perfect for anyone wanting a new start. With the new year comes renewed optimism about the future, and our place in it. That’s why it’s a tradition to set new goals for ourselves at this time. There are those that don’t believe in creating new year’s resolutions, but for those who do, we’ve decided to compile a list of three ways to be more sustainable in 2018.

Cut down on waste

One of the main reasons our rubbish containers struggle over time is the sheer amount of waste that we produce each year. To cut back, reduce your food waste through composting or food donation programs; divert liquids to a treatment system; and replace plastics with reusable glass. It may also be a good idea to cut down on using plastic bags for shopping- when there are so many reusable fabric bag options, why would anyone use plastic?

Give back to your community

Consider donating excess food to a local food bank if there’s one near you. So much food goes to waste each year, while many families suffer simply because living costs continue to skyrocket. You can also consider donating unwanted clothing or hygiene items to charities- they always need more of anything you’re able to give. Being sustainable is about protecting our environment, and that includes our fellow humans.

Reduce your environmental impact

The true reason behind the other four resolutions listed in this article boils down to this: the goal of any recycling effort is to reduce the economic, ecological and environmental impacts of our presence on Earth. So step up, and resolve to continue to reduce your carbon footprint, while embracing the beautiful world that we have.

At Metal Men Recycling, we provide cash for scrap metal. To learn more, please don’t hesitate to call us on 03 5941 6677.  

Christmas is right around the corner, and with that comes the joy of spending time with family and friends, and the time to rest, relax and indulge in delicious food. However, Christmas is also a time to give gifts to your loved ones. This can be stressful, especially as Christmas creeps nearer. That’s why we’ve put together a list of three gifts you can make from recycled items, so that you’re covered on December 25th.

1. Scrap metal wind chime

Art made from metal tableware is a simple, elegant gift you can put together for that special someone in your life. Recycling spoons and forks may seem strange, but these tableware items represent modern symbols and can be quite powerful in their abstract appeal. String together some scrap metal you have lying around with wire, and hang up your art outside the home. When the wind breezes past, the metal will chime together to create a beautiful melody.

2. Necklace made with ribbon and brooches

What do you do with old jewellery you don’t really wear anymore? More decorative pieces of jewellery such as intricate earrings and old-fashioned style brooches can make a beautiful necklace. If you’re after a uniform effect, give your jewellery items a quick spray paint using copper or rose gold tones for an elegant finish. To complete the look, connect the jewellery pieces using a coloured ribbon to match the metallic finish. This makes a great gift for friends or family who love a statement necklace.

3. Teacup candles

Antique teacups have timeless appeal in their beauty and elegance. For those teacups whose saucer has gone walkabouts, there always ways to reuse them. One of these ways is to create teacup candles. Simply melt down some candle wax, add essential oils such as lavender, vanilla and bergamot, and pour your intoxicating mixture into your leftover teacups. Once they’re cooled and set, these teacup candles make for sweet gifts for anyone to enjoy.

These are just three ideas, but the potential for recycled gifts is really endless! All it takes is a creative mind and a flexible approach to be on your way to creating gifts that will amaze your loved ones. Not only will it add a personalised touch to your gifts, using recycled materials is environmentally friendly and helps our planet.

At Metal Men Recycling, we provide cash for scrap metal. To learn more, please don’t hesitate to call us on 03 5941 6677.  

 

If you make a conscious help to our planet by recycling, you may be surprised to learn that some items – which we might expect to recycle – can’t actually be recycled. To properly assist our planet and the people who work at recycling centres and landfill sites, it’s essential that we remind ourselves of correct recycling etiquette. In this week’s blog, we share five surprising things you can’t recycle. 

 

1) Pizza Boxes 

The first item on our list is pizza boxes. Although it is tempting to want to recycle your cardboard pizza box, there is often food and grease stuck to it. This is problematic as many items are recycled using a heat and water process. If oil is present, this can create several issues such as ruining the quality of paper and contaminating it.  

2) Wet paper 

While dry paper is a definite go-ahead for the recycling bin, wet paper is shorter. This makes it less valuable to paper recyclers who won’t collect and mill them.  

3) Plastic bags 

We all know we should use recyclable bags when grocery shopping. However, sometimes you forget and have to resort to a plastic bag or two. Unfortunately, when recycling bins are sorted manually, workers can’t open plastic bags to see what’s inside them as it’s costly and potentially dangerous. Plastic bags therefore end up being thrown out. The best thing to do is use them to carry and store other items in your home and make a diligent effort to use recyclable bags whenever possible. 

4) Ceramics 

Ready to part ways with your old coffee mug? You’ll have to find another home for it because most recycling centres don’t accept ceramics. Try using it in your garden to hold a plant or give it to a local op-shop.  

5) Heavily-dyed paper 

The last item that can’t be recycled is heavily-dyed paper. When something is heavily dyed, it has the same outcome as a blue shirt or red sock with whites in your washing machine. Due to this, most paper mills won’t accept heavily-dyed paper. 

Luckily, there are lots of things you can recycle. This includes all kinds of metal. At Metal Men Recycling, we provide cash for scrap metal. To help the planet and your wallet, please contact us at 03 5941 6677.  

We all know the importance of recycling. But have you ever contemplated what would happen if we abandoned all of our recycling efforts? Well in this week’s blog, we explore that exact question as look at the consequences our planet would face from not recycling. 

1) Increase in pollution  

The first consequence from not recycling would be pollution. There are many different kinds of pollution. For example, the Styrofoam which carries water or coffee pollutes the ground by leaking nasty chemicals into the soil. If enough of these chemicals build-up, this can cause cancer. The air also gets polluted each time you drive your car. Plastic particles from water bottles and chemicals pollute our water – that’s why you should always recycle them. 

2) Overflow of landfills 

Landfills are designed to deal with waster. However, if we threw everything away when it could be recycled, the landfill would fill up and would be unable to cope with this large load. It would also create unpleasant smells and end up being toxic from all the harmful chemicals which arise from the Styrofoam, batteries, microwaves, cleaning supplies and other household products. Making little recycling efforts helps substantially in keeping landfill sites under control. 

3) Destruction of natural habitats 

When we don’t recycle, reuse and reduce, we destroy natural habitats. As it is, our earth cannot cope with the current rate of destruction. By failing to reuse what we already have, we’ll end up in a sticky situation of running out of resources.  

Luckily, recycling is easy. There are lots of things you can recycle, such as soft drink cans and scrap metal. At Metal Men Recycling, we provide cash for scrap metal. For more information or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us on 03 5941 6677.  

So we all know recycling is important, but do you know how to? Metals around the home can be recycled, from aluminium foil to clothes hangers. There are quite a few curbside collection programs for metal recycling, such as Metal Men Recycling. For others, there are also drop-off centres for metal to be recycled or disposed. In this week’s article, we’ll be returning to the basics so to help you understand exactly how to recycle metals.

How do I identify the metal?

If you’re about to recycle your metal, it’s important to be able to identify what kind you’re dealing with. One of the easiest ways to tell is by using a magnet. If the magnet sticks to the metal, you have a ferrous metal such as steel or iron. If it doesn’t stick, what you have is a non-ferrous metal; these include aluminium, copper, brass, bronze and stainless steel. Non-ferrous metals are particularly valuable, but all metals should be recycled appropriately. After the magnet test, you can use visual cues such as colour and texture to identify the exact metal.

Can my old metal clothes hangers be reused/recycled at the dry cleaner?

Many dry cleaners will happily take your metal clothes hangers for reuse, and this is a great way to limit your waste while helping the planet! Some dry cleaners even put out a designated bin for hangers to be reused. If not, your local recycling program may accept them.

What metals do scrap yards take for recycling?

Among the most common metals for recycling at scrap yards are steel, aluminium, brass, wires, iron and copper. They may also accept other metals as well, and some even often cash for scrap metal.

Recycling your scrap metals is an amazing way to help the planet, and reduce waste. Metal Men Recycling offer a 24-hour pickup service, as well as cash for scrap metal. Get in touch with our friendly team by calling 03 5941 6677 for more information today.

With Christmas approaching, most of us are looking for some easy ways to pick up some extra cash. From collecting scrap metal to harnessing your creative talents, there are a variety of different things you can do to reel in some extra money. In this week’s blog, we share three easy ways to pick up extra cash. 

1) Use your creative abilities 

The first way to pick up some extra money is to utilise your creative or artistic talents. Whether that’s in the form of freelance writing, graphic or web design work or photography, there are lots of different ways you can capitalise on your creativity. In today’s digital focused world, it’s even easier as you can find clients online and even establish an online business on the side of your day job.  

2) Babysit or nanny 

One rewarding way to earn some extra cash is to babysit or nanny. This can be a fun and fulfilling job with the potential for flexible hours. Try looking within your close circle of friends and family first for prospective clients and then if that fails, try the Internet. There are lots of great websites out there where you can register as a babysit and input your availability and work history. Make sure to check your area’s requirements, as a working with children check is generally required. 

3) Collect scrap metal 

The final way to pick up some extra cash is to recycle any scrap metal you have lying around your home. This includes brass, iron, steel, copper and aluminium. If you items such as magnets, old shelves, cars, soft drink cans, electrical wires, plumbing pipes, there is great potential to trade the old metals in for cash. At Metal Men Recycling, we provide cash for scrap metal. We are a family owned company that has been operating in the eastern suburbs of Pakenham for over 50 years. Come bring your scrap metal in today, to pick up some extra cash. Feel free to give us a ring on 03 5941 6677 if you have any questions.