Although environmental consciousness and sustainability is a near constant discussion topic in 2016, there are still plenty of misconceptions surrounding what we can do to reduce the impact our lifestyles have on the environment. Some of the best examples of this confusion are the myths that surround recycling. This week, we take a look at some of the most common misconceptions people have about how to recycle, and the impact that recycling (even on a household scale) can have on both the global environment and the Australian economy.

 

It doesn’t matter what I put in the recycling bin, it all ends up in landfill

One of the most common excuses that people use for not recycling is that it just ends up in landfill with all the other refuse. This is a total myth, as evidenced by the fact that over two billion aluminium cans are recycled in Australia every year as a result of the efforts of everyday Australians making use of their council recycling bins and other recycling programs.

Anything recyclable can go in the recycling bin

Council collection bins are designed to accept paper, cardboard, and packaging materials, but the list of recyclables doesn’t stop there, and it’s your responsibility as a civically minded person to seed out the right recycling programs if you have other refuse. The reason that council bins accept such a limited range of recycling materials is to minimise contamination from other recyclable products, so putting things like printing cartridges, plastic bags, car batteries and scrap metal in your council recycling bin, you may actually be contaminating other recyclables and putting a burden on local councils that they don’t have the resources to manage.

Rubbish cannot be repurposed

In 2016, there is virtually no manufacturing industry that does not incorporate recycled materials into their product line. Toilet tissue, drink cans, printer cartridges, product packaging, e-wood and steel are just a few examples of manufactured products which contain at least some recycled materials. It is estimated that every year, Australian recycling recovers $912 million dollars worth of commodities.

Metal Men Recycling offer metal recycling in Melbourne. We pay cash for all kinds of scrap metal as well as car batteries and used vehicles. To learn more about our capabilities, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by calling 03 5941 6677.

 

In our previous blog, we looked at some of the most common misconceptions surrounding household recycling and how even participating in programs on this small scale can make a major difference to both the environment and the economy. This week, we thought we’d take a look at some of the myths often applied to scrap metal recycling.

Recycling metal is not economically viable

Whilst there is a cost to metal recycling, it’s nothing compared to the money involved in mining and processing virgin metal. Some of the factors that make recycled metal significantly more cost effective than it’s virgin metal alternative is it’s significantly lower energy consumption, which drops down by 60% in the case of steel recycling.

Recycled scrap metal has limited reuse options

There is an overwhelming number of different products which can be manufactured using partially or entirely recycled materials. Virtually every steel product on the market today contains a percentage of recycled material and this also includes civil engineering structures such as bridges and road infrastructure. Aluminium is another product that is infinitely recyclable and recycled aluminium is in almost every drinking can on the modern market.

There is no demand for scrap metal

As more and more enterprises within the construction and manufacturing industries choose to focus on reducing the environmental impact of their activities, the demand for scrap metal has sky rocketed. Metals like steel which can be melted down without losing any of it’s strength is one of the most in demand types of scrap and it’s estimated that the global scrap metal industry brings in some $80 billion in revenue each year.

Metal Men Recycling are established scrap metal buyers in Melbourne. We pay cash for all kinds of scrap metal as well as other materials including car batteries, steel pressings, machinery, trucks, car batteries, caravans, PVC, compressors and cars. To learn more about our capabilities, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by calling 03 5941 6677.

When you go out scrap metal picking, there’s no knowing what treasures you might uncover. Whilst a stash of forgotten copper wire or an abandoned stainless steel kitchen sink might seem like the best you can hope for, there are some stories of junk pickers coming across valuable finds beyond their wildest dreams. This week, we take a look at three of the best.

A lost hammer and a Roman hoard

In 1992, a Suffolk farmer lost a hammer in one of his fields and asked Eric Lawes to recover it using his metal detector. Whilst the hammer was never recovered, Lawes did stumble across a Roman treasure trove consisting of 24 bronze, 565 gold, and 14, 191 silver coins as well as hundreds of gold and silver spoons, statues, and jewellery. By law, the Hoxne Hoard had to be turned over to the British Government, but they were legally required to pay a fair market price for the treasure, which turned out to be a tidy sum of around $2.8 Australian dollars.

 

A hole in the wall cover-up worth millions

Sometime during the 1980s and 1990s, and Indiana man bought a picture of some flowers from a junk shop to cover up a hole in his wall. Several years later he was playing a fine art auction board game called Masterpiece and was surprised to find a game card with a painting of flowers by 19^th century still life painter Martin Johnson Heade, which looked very similar to the artwork he had on his wall. The Kennedy Galleries in Manhattan subsequently verified the work as a previously undiscovered Heade, and in 1999 it was bought by the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston for US$1.2 million dollars.

15^th century gold found on a Sunday walk

Hertfordshire housewife Mary Hannaby spent 7 years’ worth of Sundays combing fields and beaches with a metal detector and never found anything more exciting than an old dental plate until 2009 when she uncovered a 15^th century gold religious pendant worth around $400,000 Australian dollars. Found just four feet below the ground in a field, the pendant is one of only three in the world.

Metal Men Recycling are established scrap metal buyers in Melbourne. To learn more about our capabilities, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by calling 03 5941 6677.

The conversation about global warming is becoming more and more prominent with the latest scientific research suggesting that it will be next to impossible to prevent a 1.5C temperature rise. Although much of the pollution in the world comes from heavy industry, efforts on the micro (individual) level are important to promote environmental consciousness and send a message to big polluters that we want change. This aside, for many people, the question of where to begin going greener can be a daunting one so this week, we put together three effortless ways you can make your lifestyle greener.

Set up recycling systems

One of the easiest things to do is to set up recycling systems in your home. Almost all Australians receive a regular recycling collection service, but bottles and newspapers aside, there is still a lot of recyclable things that end up in landfill. Begin by setting up a compost system at home. This is cheap, simple, takes up very little space, and will radically reduce the amount of waste you throw in the garbage bins.

Scrapping is of course another way to reduce the amount of household refuse that ends up in landfill. Every year, thousands of fridges, air conditioning units, washing machines, and other household whitegoods are thrown into landfill and this is ridiculous, as all of these things can be recycled for a profit. Start a can collection and cash it in at a scrap yard at the end of each month and if you do have a large metal item to throw away, call Metal Men, we offer scrap metal collection throughout Melbourne.

Get serious about flicking switches

This is really a no brainer but one we often forget about in our electronic filled lives. While most people are pretty good at turning off light switches before they leave a room, power points and ‘vampire’ electronics that draw energy whilst in standby mode can make up as much as 10% of your energy bill. So next time you finish using an appliance or electronic, turn it off at the power point to reduce the amount of fossil fuels you consume.

Read the label in the supermarket

Next time you’re in the supermarket, scan the labels of the products you put in your shopping trolley for palm oil. Hundreds of common supermarket items contain this ingredient, which is farmed in an unsustainable way and is responsible for widespread deforestation in countries like Indonesia and Malaysia. If possible, vote with your wallet and make the switch to a product that is palm oil free.

 

If you’re serious about making cash from scrap, then it pays to network. Whilst it’s relatively easy to find odd bits of scrap metal around your home, neighbourhood, and workplace, it can be hard to consistently make money by sourcing scrap in this way. Most scrappers who want to turn a profit, tend to build relationships with local tradespeople by offering free pickup and disposal in exchange for any metal that may be amongst the refuse. This week, we take a look at 5 of the best tradespeople to befriend if you’re looking to make cash from scrap.

Plumber

Although PVC pipes are the norm in modern plumbing, a relatively affluent heritage city like Melbourne still has plenty of old houses with copper and brass plumbing systems that are eventually bound to fail. When plumbers replace the piping in old houses, they tend to throw out a lot of metal refuse like water heaters, pipes and sinks.

Electrician

Copper is the most sought after scrap metal because of it’s scarcity and high price, and it just so happens that most of the high grade copper produced is put to use as electrical wiring. Although copper wiring does not weigh that much, the purity of the copper means it will fetch a very high price in the scrap yard.

Site foreman

Construction sites are a fantastic source of metal scrap, but it’s important to develop a good relationship with the site foreman and have written permission before you go rummaging through the dumpsters, as you risk being charged with trespassing.

HVAC technicians

The humble air conditioning unit is an abundant source of metals, including precious copper wire. Heating returns, old furnaces, and water heaters are also great sources of metal scrap.

Mechanic

Auto repair shops are a veritable buffet of stainless steel, aluminium, and iron scrap. Unfortunately, old cars and trucks are a well known source of metal, so you may have to compete with other scrappers to curry favour with your local auto repair shop.

Bonus round: small business owners

Although it isn’t necessarily a sustainable source of scrap, it can be well worth visiting small business owners in your local high street or shopping centre and enquiring if they have any machinery, display props, storage ware or miscellaneous metal items that they want to get rid of and then offer free delivery. Many small business owners have useless flotsam floating around their storage room that they haven’t had the time to dispose of, so it can be possible to find some great scrap.

Metal Men Recycling specialise in scrap metal collection around Melbourne and offer fair prices for a wide range of scrap. To learn more about trading your scrap for cash with metal men, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by calling 03 5941 6677.

 

Abundant, varied, and almost always free, there are a lot of characteristics of scrap metal which lend it credence as an artistic medium. Although artists have long used ‘found objects’ in their work, scrap metal sculpting is a relatively new and niche concept. This week, we take a look at four artists who are doing some incredible things with discarded metal scrap.

Source: http://www.johnlopezstudio.com/

John Lopez

South Dakota based John Lopez is a former bronze sculptor who uses discarded farm equipment to create sculptures which recall the romance of the wild west. His subjects include bison, Texan longhorn cattle, cowboys and of course horses.  Lopez says his favourite thing about working with scrap metal is the different textures the medium offers up, and the uniqueness of the final product.

Source: http://www.scrap-metal-art-thailand.com/

Scrap Metal Art Thailand

This Thailand based company has made a name for itself producing life sized movie characters such as Ironman, The Incredible Hulk, Predator and Alien as well as large scale animal sculptures including T-Rex, crocodiles, dragons, gorillas, fish, and giraffes. Scale is what this company specialises in, with some of their sculptures measuring up to 15 metres high.

Source: www. behance.net

John V. Wilhelm

By using a combination of traditional blacksmithing techniques and welding, Arizona based Wilhelm produces elegant outdoor sculptures which combine found objects such as discarded automotive and industrial parts railroad spikes with stone to create a raw, organic aesthetic. Wilhelm has been working with scrap metal since the 1970s and works in a range of other mediums including acrylic, ink, scratchboard etchings, and pencil.

Source: www.allnaturalarts.squarespace.com

Sue Beatrice

At the other end of the scale is artist Sue Beatrice, who creates miniature sculptures entirely out of broken watch parts. Often no more than a few centimetres in length, Beatrice creates dragons which can curl around your little finger and scenes which fit inside the face of an old pocket watch. Many of her designs are so intricate and delicate that they are worn as jewellery.

If you found this inspiring and think you might like to give scrap metal sculpting a try, Metal Men specialise in metal recycling in Melbourne and can set you up with all of the materials you’ll beed. To learn more about our capabilities, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by calling 03 5941 6677.

If you are new to the world of scrap metal collecting, it can take a while to learn about the various factors which affect the value of your haul. This week, we address the most common cause of metal deterioration, rust.

What is Rust?

Also known as iron oxide, rust is formed as a result of what is known as the redox reaction between oxygen and iron when exposed to moisture and air. Over time, any iron containing metal will corrode and disintegrate.

When oxygen combines with metal at the atomic level, oxide is formed and this weakens the bonds of the metal. Although to the human eye, exposed metal appears solid, it is actually covered in tiny pits and cracks, which water molecules can penetrate.

What kinds of materials are affected by rust?

The red oxide that we typically think of as rust affects iron and iron alloys such as steel. Many other metals can be affected by corrosion, but the oxides they produce are not recognised as rust.

Does it devalue metal?

Because rust compromises the chemical structure of metal, it affects its recyclability and therefore its value. Whilst superficial rust stains are unlikely to take much value away from the metal and can be buffed off before processing, friable (crumbling) rust tends to indicate that the rust has penetrated beyond the surface, and seriously compromised the metal structure. When friable rust is present, most metal becomes worthless.

Are there any hazards associated with rust?

Corrosion degrades metal on a molecular level, and compromises the structural integrity of buildings, bridges, and other civil structures. Rust not only weakens metal, as it has a much higher volume than iron, it tends to build up and shift adjacent parts via a process known as rust packing.

The rough surface which rust creates is also prime habitat for a bacterium known as Clostridium tetani which causes tetanus. For this reason, it’s crucial that scrap metal collectors wear protective clothing when collecting rusted scrap.

Can it be removed?

If the rust is superficial, there are dozens of different methods you can use to  remove it. However, once the rust penetrates deeper into the metal, it can only be removed by physically cutting or beating away the damaged area.

Metal Men specialise in metal recycling in Melbourne. To learn more about our prices, or to order a pickup, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by calling 03 5941 6677.

If you’re thinking of dabbling in a little bit of garage spring cleaning this weekend, then you should definitely read this article before you decide to throw anything away. Whilst it can be incredibly satisfying to purge your home of old things and embrace the new, this mentality is wasteful and ultimately unsustainable. Although most metal tools are inexpensive and easy to replace, that doesn’t mean you should buy a new spanner every time the DIY season rolls around. This week, we take a look at how you can save your old metal tools from landfill and give them a new lease on life.

Sharpen

One of the most common reasons that tools fall into disuse is because they grow dull and are put aside. Whilst tool sharpening is not really something you can do at home, it’s substantially less expensive than buying new tools and most hardware stores offer the service. Aim to have your cutting tools sharpened on a yearly basis to prevent them growing dull.

Remove Rust

Rust removal on the other hand, is incredibly easy to do and can be managed with a harmless mixture of lemon juice and salt. The salt is an abrasive and the acidic lemon juice cuts through the corrosion, so all you need to do is leave the mixture on for a few minutes and then gently buff it off.

Grease

Lubrication keeps the moving parts of tools smooth and functional, even if you haven’t used them for a while, and it also helps to prevent moisture damage. Whilst there are plenty of commercial tool lubrication options on the market, wiping down your tools with a little bit of coconut oil after each time you use them will work just as well.

Store

Most of the damage done to tools occurs when they are improperly stored, so it pays to take the time to devise a proper storage system. Hand tools should be stored in a dry place and off the floor, to prevent moisture and rust. Something like a pegboard is an ideal place to store your tools, they are also cheap and easy to make.

Metal Men Recycling offer metal recycling in Melbourne and take in all sorts of scrap, so if it so happens that you are unable to revive your old metal tools, we are more than happy to take them off your hands. To learn more about our capabilities, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by calling 03 5941 6677.

Although scrap metal collecting can be a very lucrative pastime, it does have its drawbacks. Working with older metal parts can be a hazardous occupation and if you’re serious about turning a profit from your scrapping habit, it’s imperative that you are thoroughly versed in the various hazards and safety precautions. This week, we take a look at four key hazards associated with metal collection.

Spiders and snakes

Australia is renown for it’s unique array of poisonous creatures, and even in urban areas, you need to be careful when lifting and sorting through piles of metal refuse, as they are the perfect place for snakes and spiders to hide. Victoria is home to plenty of poisonous snakes and spiders including tiger and brown snakes, as well as red back and funnel web spiders. Avoid a trip to the hospital by always wearing gloves, full length clothing, and proper protective footwear when sorting through metal.

Rust

If you’re on the lookout for disused metal items, chances are you’re going to be working with a lot of rust. The textured surface of rust is a prime breeding ground for the bacterium Clostridium tetani, which causes tetanus, so it’s crucial to make sure your tetanus shots are up to date before you go out scrapping.

Chemical substances

Old industrial machinery and materials can be a fantastic source of metal, but scrap salvaged from these areas is often contaminated with poisonous or corrosive chemicals, which could cause you serious damage if they come in contact with bare skin. Chemical burns and injuries are incredibly common when dealing with scrap, but they can be easily avoided by wearing proper protective clothing and thoroughly cleaning any areas of skin that do come in contact with contaminated surfaces.

Strains

To make a profit from collecting scrap, you really need to be bringing it in by the ton, and if you’re working with large pieces of metal, there is a significant risk of physical injury. Avoid straining yourself by bringing along a friend to help you with the heavy lifting as well as bending your knees and keeping a straight back when lifting something from the ground.

Metal Men Recycling offer scrap metal collection in Melbourne. To learn more about our capabilities, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by calling 03 5941 6677.

Now that spring is less than a week away, you’ve probably turned your thoughts to getting your home or business ready for the busy summer months, and that means spring cleaning. Make spring 2016 the year you finally get rid of that bulky junk cluttering up your garage or backyard by getting proactive and investigating how to dispose of them in a responsible, environmentally sustainable manner. To help you on your quest to consciously restore order to your property, we run through 5 non-metal related things you can recycle at our Melbourne location.

Caravans

Whilst a caravan might have seemed like a good idea 20 years ago when the kids were little and plane flights were expensive it’s now a bulky and deteriorating eyesore in your backyard. Getting rid of a caravan can be difficult, particularly if you have an older model with outdated fittings, but instead of spending money on disposal services or resigning to illegally dumping it, you can give the materials in your old caravan a second life by recycling it with us. We accept both fibreglass and aluminium caravans and offer scrap metal collection all over Melbourne.

PVC

Every Melbourne homeowner has some PVC piping, tubing, or guttering offcuts wasting away in their garage, but it doesn’t have to go to landfill. We accept all kinds of PVC products in whatever quantity as you happen to have.

Compressors

If you happen to have some unused or broken compressors lying around your home or workplace, then you can save them from landfill by recycling them with us. We accept compressors and compressor parts in all states of wear.

Car batteries

The lead acid in car batteries is extremely hazardous and has an enormous environmental impact if it is disposed of in landfill. However, it is possible to recycle many of the components in a car battery and retrieve most of the lead used.

Machinery

Broken machinery is one of the most common types of flotsam you come across in the humble suburban garage, but it’s easy to give things like these a second life through recycling. Whether you have a busted band saw or a rusted tractor, we accept all types of metal machinery.

To learn more about our capabilities, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by calling 03 5941 6677.

It’s always a bonus to make a few extra dollars by trading in your old metal scrap, but if you want to get serious about turning a profit on a semi regular basis in this way, you need to develop a strategy that extends beyond collecting up your household’s metal waste. This week, we offer a few tips on how you can take your scrap metal selling to the next level and make some serious cash.

Prioritise valuable metals

Whilst that big pile of old iron sheeting you’ve collected together might look like it’s worth a pretty penny, size really doesn’t mean much in the world of scrap metal and you’re probably not going to end up with much more than a ten dollar note for your efforts. Any scrap collector worth their salt knows that the real money lies in hunting down more valuable and less abundant metals like copper and brass. Although these tend to take more work to obtain, they can be worth literally 50 times more than more common metals like aluminium, iron, and stainless steel.

Stay abreast of the latest scrap prices

Just like everything on the market, scrap prices fluctuate and are subject to supply and demand. It’s worth keeping an eye on the current prices in your local area keeping them in mind when you go to trade in so that you can negotiate a fair deal.

Befriend your local tradies

If you want to develop a consistent income stream from selling scrap, then you really need to branch out beyond chance finds and your own household scrap. The best way to do this is by joining forces with local tradesmen such as plumbers, electricians and HVAC technicians who frequently remove scrap metal as part of their job. Construction companies and medical care service centres like retirement homes, assisted living centres, medical clinics and doctor’s offices also have an abundance of scrap metal that you could offer to take remove for free.

Understand metal grading systems

Most types of metal you come across fall into different grades depending on their purity, and whether or not the buyer is going to have to treat them in any way in order to return the metal to a useable state. Reading up on the different grades of metal and their relative values can help you be more discerning about the places you go to look for metal and what you choose to collect.

If you’re committed to the idea of earning cash for scrap metal, then it’s well worth choosing metal men as your go-to scrap buyers. We accept all kinds of scrap metal and promise fair and competitive prices.