On May 30^th, 2018, the Victorian Government passed a new law that affected scrap metal businesses and metal recycling in Melbourne. This law was passed in an effort to crack down on criminal activity. Essentially the law stated that all scrap metal transactions conducted in Victoria would have to be via either Cheque or EFTPOS/electronic transfer. Cash is no longer a legal payment option in the Melbourne scrap metal recycling industry. In today’s blog, we’re going to take a look at this new law more closely and what some of the finer details of it are.

Second-hand dealers

The latest scrap metal law required every metal recycling business in Melbourne to be registered as an official second-hand dealer. For example, another common profession where you would be required by law to register as a second-hand dealer would be a pawnbroker.

Anyone who deals with goods that have been previously used or worn must register for a second-hand dealer’s license. From the 1^st of September 2018, any business that purchased or sold scrap metal for recycling or repurposing would have to register for such a license.

What is defined as scrap metal?

Under the law, scrap metal is defined as any item that contains “2% or less by weight of gold or silver” as well as “80% or less by weight of copper”. If the item falls outside of these parameters, then they’re considered second-hand goods instead of scrap metal.

If this is the case, then the buyer must comply with second-hand goods requirements. However, if an item does fall out of the parameters and is no longer considered scrap metal – then, the seller can be paid in cash.

Why was this law introduced?

As we’ve mentioned, this law was designed to crack down on criminal activities. One of the bigger points of this law is that the lack of cash transactions forces (and legally requires) scrap metal buyers to keep a detailed and complete log of payments. This is because a lot of people – especially thieves – try to sell cars or other items that they’ve stolen.

If they were getting paid in cash, then there’d be no trace or proof of the transaction. With the new law, it’s a lot harder for criminals to do such things as there’ll be a trace – making it easier for them to be discovered. If a vehicle is brought in and its identifier has been removed or destroyed in some way, then it must not be bought or possessed by a scrap metal buyer.

Keeping records

Keeping detailed and accurate records of all transactions is an absolute must under the recent law. The following points must be adhered to and recorded each time there is a transaction:

• An accurate description that includes weight or quantity;
• Whether or not it’s a vehicle and any identifier;
• Name and address of the seller as well as their ID information;
• Exact date and time the goods were received;
• A copy of the transaction (whether it be the cheque or electronic receipt); and
• The name of anyone acting on behalf (if at all) of the scrap metal dealer.

Exceptions

There are a handful of exceptions from the law, such as the item falling out of the 2% and 80% parameters we mentioned. Some of the other exceptions include vehicles that are bought for the purpose of dismantling and selling parts individually. If this is the case, then cash can be used to pay for these goods. However, if a motor vehicle is purchased for the purpose of recycling and repurposing the metal, then the law applies, and cash cannot be used as a payment method.

Are you looking for metal recycling facilities in Melbourne?

Metal Men Recycling believe that the recent laws have made a positive impact on the metal recycling industry in Melbourne and continue to welcome and abide by them. If you’re looking to sell your scrap metal for a profit, then you’ve come to the right place. Based in Pakenham, we’re able to buy a wide variety of scrap metal and safely recycle it.

Not only is this a great way to make a profit, but you’re also actively helping the environment by contributing to the recycled metal industry. We offer bins in several sizes and can deliver them to you for large drop-offs. We also feature weighbridges at our facility and offer 24-hour pickup services.

If you’d like to know more about our services, then please give us a call on 03 5941 6677. You can also contact us by filling out the enquiry form found on our website.

With 2020 rolling in and the recent climate tragedies that have swept Australia’s East, there’s more of an emphasis on sustainability and combatting climate change than ever. The urgency that these events have triggered is quite serious and a lot of people want to do their part. There are other ways to make a difference other than finding scrap metal to sell. We thought we’d use today’s blog as an opportunity to give you some tips on how you can be sustainable in your day-to-day activities in the workplace.

Utilise the appropriate bins

Rather than just having the one bin in your office, why not opt for three separate ones – waste, recycling and compost. Your waste bin will act as your standard bin for non-recyclable items and non-compostable scraps – essentially all the items that will end up in the landfill like plastic wrappers.

Your recycling bin is for items such as glass/plastic bottles and paper. Lastly, the compost bin is for particular scraps that can be used as mulch in gardens. Eggshells, some food scraps and torn up newspaper are all good examples of compost. Make sure to put up instructional signs by the bins with examples of commonly used items in the office and which bin is most appropriate for them.

This will not only encourage people to be conscious of where they put their rubbish within the workplace, but also at home. If they do it enough times during the day then it’ll be cemented in their heads and become something they’ll pass on to their family and friends.

Green the office

Improving the eco-system of your office is essential to a good work ethic and positive vibes. Literally turn your office green by placing pot plants around the office. There are several types you can choose from to suit your offices décor and aesthetic.

Plants will improve the oxygen in your office – since plants pump out fresh oxygen via photosynthesis – as well its overall wellbeing. Just remember to look after them so they can keep doing what they do best. The more plants you give life too, the bigger the impact you’ll have on the environment.

Choose sustainable utilities

If you can, try to use electricity that is green and sustainable – such as power produced by wind farms or solar panels. It may be a bit more expensive but overall, you’ll be helping by not contributing to the fossil fuel industry and instead be supporting the future of electricity.

Check if your electricity company provides green energy options. You can also look at installing solar panels on your building and operating using your own solar power – just be sure to have a battery installed as well.

Reduce paper usage

In now day and age, paper is almost pointless – especially with laptops and tablet devices essentially replacing them. The need for physical pieces of paper to be printed out is just a formality – not a requirement. Try reducing the amount of paper you use or print.

Ask yourself if it really needs to be used – or if you can just use a digital copy instead. With tablets becoming more advanced and sophisticated with their stylus and “pen” features, there’s no real need for even marking to be done on paper.

Don’t waste energy

Don’t use energy when you don’t need to. Turn computers off at the end of the day – or, at the very least put them in sleep mode and make sure the monitors are off and not on any screensavers. Use energy-saving and efficient lights around the office as they can save you a heap of energy whilst still shining just as bright.

Upcycle

Reuse and recycle – or in this case, upcycle. Upcycling is turning something you would generally throw away into a functional object. This could be something as simple as repurposing a broken mug into a stationery holder or something more advance like using an old desk drawer as a garden bed. If you use a bit of your imagination, you can literally upcycle anything around the office – that way you’re reducing waste and giving the item a second lease on life.

Are you looking to sell scrap metal?

There are several things you can do to be more sustainable in the office and each bit counts. If you have scrap metal, however, then why not look to sell your scrap metal here at Metal Men Recycling? We offer a variety of services to make your scrap metal selling experience as easy and streamlined as possible – including weight bridges and several different sized bins that we can drop off at a location for you to utilise.

If you’re looking to sell scrap metal, then please get in touch with us by calling 03 5941 6677. You may also contact us via the enquiry form found on our website.

When people look to sell scrap metal, they often ask what the deal is with heavy metals and toxicity? Well, as we’ve mentioned, no single heavy metal is the same as they all have their own quirks and properties. Lead, however, is actually a highly recyclable heavy metal. This is why we’re going to be spending today’s blog looking a bit closer at the properties of. Welcome to lead recycling 101, class.

The fundamentals of lead

Lead is a naturally abundant metal and has been used by humans since ancient times. It’s even sometimes referred to as “the first metal” – even though other metals such as gold and silver were used around the same times. It was actually used in everyday items from the time of the Romans up until the 19^th century when its high toxicity was discovered. It is considered a transitional metal and has an atomic number of 82 – which is the highest atomic number a stable element can have.

It’s poisonous

Lead is a dangerous and highly toxic metal. It affects the central nervous system and replaces other chemicals and metals in your body which can interfere with certain genes. Babies and children are particularly susceptible to its effects as it can inhibit growth. It’s also a cumulative poison – and seeing as there’s no defined safe exposure level, things can get pretty serious if you’re constantly exposed in even small doses.

It’s highly recyclable

Lead is essentially 100% recyclable. Not only that, but it doesn’t lose any of its properties when it is recycled, making its demand and value highly desirable. The majority of lead that is recycled comes from batteries. In fact, 99% of lead batteries are recycled in the U.S – making them the most recycled consumer product in the country.

In addition to batteries, lead sheets are commonly used in radiation shields in the healthcare industry (just think about how Superman can’t use his ­x-ray vision to see through lead-lined objects – same sort of thing).

Not only does recycling lead conserve natural resources – but it also drastically reduces the amount of lead that is released into the environment, as the alternative is lead-products being dumped into a landfill. If this occurs, then the lead could contaminate groundwater. People who’re looking to sell scrap metal such as lead should strive to do so instead of throwing them out.

In terms of energy, recycling lead uses 35 – 40% less energy than what’s used in the process of obtaining virgin lead making it highly efficient. Approximately 90% of scrap lead in Australia comes from lead-acid batteries that are found in petrol and diesel vehicles.

The recycling process

The recycling process for lead is not unlike other metal recycling processes. Lead-based products are broken up at the smelter and the lead is separated from the rest of the components where they are then smelted and refined. The refined lead is then used in the production of new materials.

Lead can also be formed into ingots which – depending on what they’re going to be used for next – can vary in purity, size, weight and quantity. The fact that it can be recycled infinitely is another reason why it’s so desirable. If you’re looking to sell scrap metal and have an old car battery, for example, then we highly recommend that you bring it in to be recycled.

Are you looking to sell scrap metal in Melbourne?

Whether it’s lead-based products or just pieces of aluminium in your backyard – copper wiring or an old car motor – Metal Men Recycling will pay you for your scrap metal. Our titan facility is equipped with all the bells and whistles to efficiently and safely recycle scrap metal to be repurposed in other industries.

We offer free bins that come in several sizes to suit your needs – whether it’s for your home or business. We’ll even pick the bins up whenever you’re done! The weighted bridges at our facility can help you determine the exact weight of your scrap metal to make your job easier when you come to us.

So, if you’re looking to sell scrap metal – or would like to know a little bit more about our services – then please give us a call on 03 5941 6677. You may also contact us via the enquiry form found on our website.

As scrap metal enthusiasts, we’re always fascinated by the incredible stories and instances where old treasure is discovered – as that treasure typically tends to be made of metal. Some treasure is ancient and others a little recent – but history seems to be in no short supply unrecovered sunken ships carrying treasure. In between coming to us to sell scrap metal, we thought we’d write a blog for you centred around some amazing treasures that have been recovered from the depth of the ocean floor.

1.    The Queen Anne’s Revenge

We’ll kick off the list with what a lot of people associate the word treasure with – pirates. The Queen Anne’s Revenge was the ship of the famous English pirate, Blackbeard. For starters, yes, Blackbeard was a real pirate. In 1718 the Queen Anne’s Revenge ran ashore off the coast of North Carolina. The shipwreck wasn’t actually discovered though, until 1996.

Since then, a variety of anchors, cannons, blunderbusses and sword hilts have been discovered – but no actual treasure as such. It’s still a very impressive find. Allegedly, Blackbeard purposely ran his ship ashore to break up his large company of pirates – around 300 of them – and then snuck away with a smaller crew and all the treasure.

2.    The SS Central America

More commonly known as The Ship of Gold, the SS Central America was sunk in 1857 by a hurricane. 457 passengers were killed, and 14,000 kg of gold was lost. That is, until September 1988 when the Columbus-American Discovery Group of Ohio found it. They recovered approximately 100 – 150 million USD in gold from the wreckage.

A long legal battle then took place between the expedition group and various insurance companies who claimed they were at a loss from the ship sinking during the 19^th century. The expedition group was awarded custody of 96% of the recovered gold.

The leader of the expedition, Tommy Thompson, was then sued in 2005 by investors and fellow expedition members over lack of returns. He fled with 4.16 million USD until he was located in 2015 and extradited to Ohio.

3.    Heracleion

Discovered off the coast of Egypt in 2000 by Frank Goddio, the sunken city of Heracleion (Thonis to the Greeks) is one of the closest things we’ll get to Atlantis. Along with ceramics, jewellery and coins – large statues were also discovered, which was customary for ancient Egyptian city.

The city served as the only port of entry for incoming Greek ships into the ancient city of Alexandria. The city was founded around 8^th century BC and was entirely submerged by around 8^th century AD.

4.    Esmeralda

The Esmeralda was a Portuguese ship that sunk during the Age of Discovery – which was a period when an extensive amount of overseas exploration was being undertaken. The Esmeralda was involved in several gruesome battles, but it was ultimately a storm in 1503 along the Indian Route in the Arabian sea that sunk the ship.

Almost 500 years later and the wreck was found in 1998 – but not actually excavated until almost another 20 years later. Some of the artefacts found were silver and gold coins, the ships bell, munitions and other items. It is still being excavated currently for more artefacts.

5.    The Atocha

The Nuestra Senora de Atocha was a ship that went missing in 1622 on its way from Cuba to Spain. Essentially, the ship sailed straight into a hurricane and didn’t survive. The curious thing about The Atocha, though, was the fact that it was full of treasure.

Mel Fisher found the shipwreck in 1985 after searching for it for 16 years. There was an estimated total of around 450 million USD found. Some of it is on display at the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum whilst certain items were auctioned off at the 30^th anniversary of the find.

Are you looking to sell scrap metal?

Reading about lost treasures being discovered can be pretty exciting, but you probably don’t realise that you’ve got a whole bunch of treasure at home that’ll give you some return as well. At Metal Men Recycling, we buy all sorts of scrap metal. If you sell scrap metal to us, we’ll ensure that it’s appropriately and safely recycled using the correct methods.

We also offer various sized bins that we can deliver to your home or workplace to make large hauls easier for you to manage. Our facilities are state-of-the-art and feature weighing bridges with large load capacities.

If you’re looking to sell scrap metal, then please give us a call on 03 5941 6677. You can also contact us via the enquiry form on our website.

Air pollution is a serious blight on our environment. It can affect entire cities and seriously damage the quality of breathable air – affecting our overall health. As Pakenham scrap metal buyers, we know that recycling scrap metal holds great environmental benefits. It encourages the use of recycled metal in the industry and simultaneously reduces metal that ends up in landfill (which can pollute the soil) as well as the need to mine for virgin ore to produce more metal. But one of the greatest ways it impacts the environment is that it reduces air pollution drastically. In today’s blog, we’re going to take a look at how exactly it does this as well as some facts about air pollution itself.

Air quality

The quality of our air is something that we take for granted in Victoria and don’t even give a second thought too. We’re lucky that we have relatively good air in our environment. But in other places around the world – such as China and India – the air is borderline hazardous with thick smog hanging in the air almost daily. The cause of this? Air pollution.

What causes air pollution?

In short – humans do. A lot of activities we take on as a society – whether they be for work or leisure – end up causing air pollution. Petroleum that is burnt in our cars is a great example of everyday air pollution – that being said, though, unleaded is still not as bad as diesel. This is why car brands are moving towards electric cars as it is a lot more environmentally friendly.

Factories that exude billowing piles of smoke and toxic fumes is a big one as well, especially in the coal-burning industry. Coal is burnt to give us electricity. Unfortunately, it also releases a variety of harmful chemicals into our atmospheres such as carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxides. Mining for coal also releases dust and coal particles – further polluting our air.

How does scrap metal recycling fit into this?

Scrap metal recycling helps prevent air pollution both directly and indirectly in a few different ways. For starters, the energy that is required to recycle scrap metal into a new product is drastically less than what is required to create virgin metal from fresh ore. When recycling steel cans, for example, up to 75% of energy and 40% of water is saved in comparison to creating new steel.

This also reduces CO2 emissions and reduces the amount of metal that ends up in landfill. Scrap metal that ends up in landfill ends up poisoning the soil – leading to other issues and types of pollution. Recycling scrap metal also lessens the demand for virgin ore mining operations. Because of this, air – and other types – of pollution occur less due to the lack of mining. This also means that natural habitats and ecosystems remain untouched. This is an indirect benefit of scrap metal recycling.

Recycling scrap metal also improves air quality – especially around the area of the scrapyard. This is due to smaller amounts of energy being expended during the recycling process. This is a bonus for anyone with respiratory issues as cleaner air means easier and healthier breathing. There is also less machinery and vehicles used in comparison to the mining and creation of fresh metal.

Why can’t scrap metal just be incinerated?

As scrap metal buyers in Pakenham, we’re often asked why we don’t just incinerate scrap metal? Well, because incinerating scrap metal essentially has the same effect as tossing it into a landfill. Incinerators produce harmful chemicals that affect our air quality – in the same way that metal can poison soil by being left in a landfill. Not only is incinerating metal harmful to our environment and air quality – but, it’s also a complete waste as recycling scrap metal holds a myriad of economic and environmental benefits.

Are you looking for scrap metal buyers in Pakenham?

As Pakenham scrap metal buyers, we firmly believe in eco-friendly and responsible recycling methods. That’s why Metal Men Recycling employs environmentally friendly methods and practices when recycling your scrap metal. We buy all types of metal including ferrous and non-ferrous. We’ll also supply you with various sized bins for larger jobs. Our facilities feature weight bridges so you can weigh your load of scrap metal before selling it to us.

If you’re looking for Pakenham scrap metal buyers, then please get in touch with us by calling 03 5941 6677. You can also contact us via the enquiry form found on our website.

As Melbourne scrap metal buyers, we understand the excitement when that spooky time of the year comes around. Dressing up with your friends or children and going around the neighbourhood trick or treating to get as much candy and chocolate as you can. It can be a pretty fun time – especially if it makes you nostalgic. Last year we spoke about DIY recycled crafts for Halloween.

Well, in today’s blog we’re going to explore some costume ideas that you can make yourself that involve scrap metal. The best part about these costumes is that once you’re done with them you can sell the metal parts to us.

1.    A robot

Dressing up as a robot can be nice and simple or quite intricate depending on how much effort you want to put in. From legends such as Robbie from Forbidden Planet to the overly simplified A.W.E.S.O.M.O-4000 from South Park – robots are a staple of science fiction and pop culture.

Their design also allows for them to have an endless amount of metal parts on them. Try crushing soft drink cans and gluing them to the base you’ve prepared (which can also be a thin sheet of bendable aluminium) to act as lights. Pipes can also be taped to your arms and legs to imitate straightened mechanical limbs.

2.    Daleks

The instantly recognisable Doctor Who villain has been made even more popular in the last decade with the help of the series reboot – making the show more accessible to a wider and younger audience.

Whilst you probably won’t be rolling or hovering around the neighbourhood, you can still cut out a cone-shaped outer frame that you can then decorate with crushed aluminium cans or small metal bowls. Use a pipe plus a wide light to make the eyestalk.

3.    Ace Frehley

The younger folks may not know who he is but the original lead guitarist for famed rock n roll band Kiss is definitely a safe bet for Halloween. There’s always one person who rocks up to a party or your door dressed as a Kiss member so make sure your costume stands out.

We’ve chosen Frehley specifically because the silver shoulder guards of his outfit present the perfect opportunity to implement some recycled metal such as lightweight and malleable aluminium. Bend it into shape, pop it on and you’re ready to rock n roll all night. If you can’t find any bendable aluminium, try using foil as a simpler and affordable option.

4.    The tin man

The perfect costume to match with your friends, the tin man is widely recognised as one of Dorothy’s friends in the Wizard of Oz. This costume will feature a lot of cylindrical items such as thin, bendable aluminium and a metal funnel to wear as a hat. Find some old shoes and spray paint them silver to complete the look. Make sure the costume is flexible enough to skip in!

5.    Ned Kelly

The classic Australian outlaw wore innovative and – for the time – state-of-the-art armour that helped protect him from bullets. Sheets of metal (stick with aluminium so it doesn’t get too heavy) will act as your breast and back plates whilst you can bend some aluminium into shoulder pads and a cylindrical helmet. Just don’t forget to cut out a rectangular space so you can see where you’re going.

6.    Knights

Medieval knights wore metal armour from top to bottom to ensure they were as well protected as they could be. Whilst it may be a bit of a stretch to cover yourself entirely in metal – you can shape aluminium to cover parts of your body and make your own makeshift medieval armour. Fill in the gaps with soft material items and you can pretend you’re a knight of the round table – as they’re often portrayed as wearing predominantly cloth outer garments.

7.    Cybermen

Another classic Doctor Who villain, the cybermen are made completely of metal and have no emotions. Their defining features are the teardrop cutouts under their left eyes and the antennas that extend from one ear to the other – going over their heads. This is easily achievable for a Halloween costume – even if you only concentrate on the helmet part of the outfit. Small metal straws can be taped together to form the antennas and foil can also be used to shape the helmet.

Are you looking for scrap metal buyers in Melbourne?

Metal Men Recycling are premium Melbourne scrap metal buyers. We’re able to buy any type of scrap metal from you and dispose of it accurately and safely.

If you’re looking for scrap metal buyers in Melbourne, then please get in touch with us by calling 03 5941 6677. You can also contact us via the form on our website.

Metals are an extraordinary substance. They fuel a large manufacturing industry and are responsible for the majority of our world’s infrastructure. You can even sell your scrap metal to be recycled. One of the best things about metals is that even when they’re recycled, they can still be used for the same purposes without losing their strength or properties. Steel, in particular, can theoretically be recycled an infinite number of times without losing its properties. But today we’re going to take a look at something off the beaten track and explore four unique metals that have some interesting properties.

1.    Gallium (Ga)

Gallium is an interesting metal for a few reasons. For one, it has a low melting point, yet high boiling point. In fact, if you hold gallium in your hands for a short time – as it is non-toxic and safe to handle without gloves – it will begin to melt. When it melts, its liquid form can cling to glass and other surfaces. 

It is one of only two non-metallic metals that can melt at room temperature. It is a poor conductor and quite brittle in its solid form, however. Gallium is not a naturally occurring metal and is only found in ores and minerals. A common use for gallium is as a non-toxic substitute for mercury in thermometers – which is a type of scrap metal that you can sell.

2.    Rhodium (Rh)

Rhodium is quite a rare transitional metal and is in the same family as platinum. It is a very shiny and hard metal with a silvery-white colour. A stand-out property of rhodium is that it is highly resistant to corrosion and is not attacked by the majority of acids. The metal is non-toxic and is used for a variety of things in today’s world. 

Most commonly it is used as a catalytic converter in automobiles’ exhaust pipes. A catalytic converter works to lessen the effects of pollutant gasses. The rhodium itself acts as a catalyst within the converter. Some other uses for rhodium include being combined with palladium and platinum to lessen the effects of corrosion as well as being used to create jewellery.

3.    Beryllium (Be)

Beryllium is the first metal in our list that is actually toxic – as well as carcinogenic (meaning it can cause cancer). It is classified as an alkali earth metal and has an extremely high melting point coming in at 1278°C. If we compare this to something like lithium, for example, which has a melting point of 180°C – we can see that beryllium is significantly higher.

A key characteristic of beryllium is that it is transparent to x-rays. Because of its low number of atoms and density, beryllium absorbs considerably fewer x-rays in comparison to most other metals. This makes it ideal for placement in radiation windows for x-ray tubes. Beryllium is also used in the aerospace industry as a lightweight material as well as in nuclear reactors acting as a reflector and absorber of neutrons.

4.    Ruthenium (Ru)

This is a very rare type of transitional metal and is highly toxic. It is known to stain skin and should be treated as a carcinogen. An interesting feature about ruthenium is that it is impervious to being tarnished at room temperature. It is a very hard and brittle metal with lustrous properties and a silvery-white appearance.

This type of metal actually has some fascinating history behind it. It has been discovered that ruthenium is behind the never-ending fires in Southern Turkey. The flames, which are known as Yanartas, have been burning for over 2500 years. Scientists now believe that ruthenium is partly responsible for this as when it is combined with methane, it may burn virtually forever. These flames are also thought to be the inspiration behind the fire-breathing Chimera in Homer’s epic, Iliad.

Looking to sell scrap metal?

Whether it’s a rare metal or not, Metal Men Recycling will buy your scrap metal and dispose or recycle it in the correct manner. If you have scrap metal laying around, consider selling it. Our state-of-the-art scrap yard has all the bells and whistles including weight bridges and heavy lifting machinery. We’re also able to bring bins to your location – be it your house or business – for those larger jobs.

If you’re looking to sell your scrap metal, then please give us a call on 03 5941 6677. Alternatively, you can also fill out the enquiry form on our website.

As scrap metal buyers, we want to encourage people to recycle in any way they can. Upcycling is a fantastic way to do this as it provides practical benefits. It’s even better in the office because there are so many different items that have the potential to be transformed and given a new lease on life. This office also encourages team building and camaraderie and is a fantastic way to get some great office supplies and accessories without breaking the bank. So, without further ado, here are seven different upcycling ideas that you can do in the office.

1.    Computer planters

The best thing about making an upcycled planter in the office is that there are so many different items you can use as the base. Anything from an old book that you can cut out, to an actual computer. By removing the sides and the top of the computer’s casing you can place a plastic basin into it and fill it up with soil. 

This is not only a great example of upcycling but also an aesthetically relevant piece as it will stay in line with the feel of your office. The fresh plant will also improve the quality of the air and the overall vibe of the office.

2.     Personalised stationery holders

Whether they’re cans of soft drinks or tuna cans, it won’t be hard to find some of these products to upcycle. The taller cans and jars are just screaming to be used as pen and pencil holders. Their size and build make them highly ideal for this type of application and they can be decorated with many different things including keys from old, unused keyboards. 

Spelling your name with keyboard keys is a unique way to personalise your stationery holder whilst giving it that rustic charm at the same time. They can also be used as planters on a smaller scale.

3.    Wine cork noticeboard

4.    DIY Phone holder

Phone holders and chargers can be expensive nowadays, so if you’re looking at a simple stand for your phone, try upcycling some common products like toilet paper rolls. Using some colourful tape, scissors and pins, you can make yourself a nifty little phone holder. Feel free to cut a bit more out of the roll to reveal more of your phone’s screen.

An alternative and easier method would be using a cassette case. If you or your parents have any old cassette cases lying around the house, then they can be flipped and used to hold your phone on your desk. Bonus points if the case has some cool album art.

5.    CD spindle terrariums

If your office hasn’t been cleaned in a fair while, then you might find some old CD spindle holders. Whether you choose to cut off the spindle itself or not, the item can be made into a terrarium. You can also opt to replace the plastic dome cover with a glass one if you have something that fits. These act as great decorative pieces.

6.    Lego helpers

If you or your child have any spare Lego, then they can be utilised surprisingly well in an office environment. Simply glue a flat piece of Lego to the side of your desk or wall and attach some Minifigures to them. Depending on the size of your cable you can either clip it onto their hands – as if they’re holding it for you – or just wrap it around their outstretched arms.

7.    Compost your coffee grounds

This is particularly useful if you have a coffee machine in your office. Any coffee grounds that remain should be put into a separate compost bin. That way, they can be used in gardens at home or even for any planters within the office as coffee grounds are very effective composting – provided they’re mixed with a bit of organic waste – and mulching products.

Looking for scrap metal buyers?

You can’t always upcycle things in the office, and metal can be a bit harder to work with at times. That’s where Metal Men Recycling comes in. We’re scrap metal buyers that will offer you money for your scrap metal – no matter what type it is.

If you require the service of scrap metal buyers, then please give us a call on 03 5941 6677. Alternatively, you may also fill out the enquiry form on our website.

We know what you’re thinking – and no, we aren’t going to be talking about heavy metal music. But, rather, the type of metal that contains high atomic weights, atomic numbers or high densities. Heavy metals are commonly considered to be highly toxic and dangerous. This is true to some extent. Like most things, this depends on the type of heavy metal as well as the degree of exposure. Some heavy metals are only hazardous if they’re in a certain form. But now for the big question, can heavy metals be recycled? Today our Melbourne scrap metal buyers will be answering that question – as well as looking at some other interesting facts toxic metals around the world.

What are they and how do they differ from standard metals?

In reality, there is no definitively agreed-upon definition for heavy metals and different principles of science have their own ways of defining heavy metals. Though, the metallurgy definition is the most commonly referenced version. This definition is that a heavy metal is any type of metal with a density greater than 5g/cm³– which encompasses a fair few types of metal. 

But, some of the more common heavy metals that we think of when we hear the phrase are mercury, lead, zinc, cadmium and chromium. Iron and copper can also be considered heavy metals, however. The main difference between heavy metals and standard types of metals are their density.

In physics, heavy metals are considered to be any metal with an atomic number higher than 20. This definition has been met with criticism, however, due to some of the metals with atomic numbers higher than 20, also having a low-density number. Heavy metals occur naturally within the Earth but are released through anthropogenic processes as well. 

Can they be recycled?

Ultimately, it depends on the type of heavy metal. Lead, for example, can be recycled. Mercury, on the other hand, cannot be and must be disposed of at specialised facilities. Heavy metals such as lead and mercury mustn’t end up in landfill as their toxicity will harm the environment. They will contaminate the soil and groundwater below – which will lead to the poisoning of animal and human life alike.

Rocket to Russia

There is a small town in one of Russia’s federal subjects, Arkhangelsk Oblast, that is constantly polluted by falling rocket pieces. The nearby Plesetsk Cosmodrome is one of the world’s most active missile bases. The thing is, the rockets are constantly jettisoning fuel tanks and other attachments from the air, which end up falling to the town. These pieces are scavenged, made into art and appropriated by the people of the town. Some of the rarer and valuable materials such as gold are even sold on the regions black market.

The twist is though, whilst the metals used to make these parts aren’t toxic themselves, things like heptyl, which is a rocket repellent, are still present in the detached pieces. There has been no statistical evidence at this point, however, proving that the heptyl is toxic enough to adversely affect the health of the population. Regardless, the impact on the environment is sure to head in a negative direction if toxic chemicals are still present in the metal rocket pieces.

Their effect on the environment

Whether it’s heavy metals themselves, or metals that contain traces of toxic and hazardous chemicals – they should always be recycled (if possible) or disposed of in safe and appropriate manners. Otherwise, they will contaminate groundwater supplies and soil – stunting plant growth and poisoning wildlife and water supplies. So, when possible, aim to dispose of heavy metals appropriately instead of sending them to the landfill.

Looking for scrap metal buyers in Melbourne?

If you’re thinking of selling your scrap and in need of scrap metal buyers in Melbourne, then look no further! Metal Men Recycling is a premium scrap metal recycling company that is easy, efficient and honest. We buy all forms of scrap metal including ferrous and non-ferrous types. We also offer pick-up services and can offer you a variety of bin sizes if you have a large load that you need recycled.

Our highly knowledgeable and experienced staff members will be able to assist you on-site and direct you to where you need to go. Our scrapyard contains a large weight bridge – should you need in.

So, if you’re looking for scrap metal buyers in Melbourne, then get in touch with us by calling 03 5941 6677. Alternatively, you can fill out the enquiry form on our website.

We are all familiar with how metal recycling – and general recycling for that matter – is handled in Melbourne. But not everywhere does it as we do. Even within Australia, different recycling practices are undertaken. A perfect example of this would be the new Western Australia refund scheme for cans and bottle. So, for today’s blog, our Melbourne metal recycling experts are going to turn their eyes to the world and explore some interesting ways that other countries recycle.

They set targets

According to an article published on the World Economic Forum in 2017, the best recyclers in the world set rigorous and ambitious targets for their countries. These countries encourage recycling not only by explaining its environmental benefits but also by increasing funding and making it easier for households to recycle. Some of them even go as far as offering financial incentives for recycling.

Germany is the leading country when it comes to recycling. The European Union as a whole is hoping to cut at least 65% of waste by 2030 – whilst Wales is setting their sights much higher with a goal of zero waste by 2050. It’s not just the targets they set that separates these countries from others, but also the action they take which clearly yields positive results.

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What’s up with Sweden?

Sweden is a country that is often considered to be the world-leader when it comes to waste recycling – even though Germany is statistically on top. One of the reasons for this is because Sweden includes the energy that they recover when they incinerate waste as part of their recycling rate. So, when they state that they recycle 99% of its waste, it technically isn’t true as most places don’t consider burning waste to be recycling. In fact, Sweden has to import garbage from other countries just to keep their plants going since only 1% of their waste goes to landfills.

The problem with this is, burning waste releases a lot of CO2 emissions – around 1355kg per megawatt-hour of electricity produced. This is actually more emissions then what is released from coal-burning (1020kg) and natural gasses (514kg). Whilst CO2 itself is not technically a pollutant, it does contribute to the greenhouse effect. Though these emissions would’ve been released eventually if the waste – which is predominantly made up of food, paper and other biomass-heavy items – had been left in a landfill, the incineration just releases them sooner.

It’s also been argued that waste-to-energy is a short-term solution and will not actually benefit us in the long-run. This is because Sweden is taking resources out of the game by incinerating them instead of recycling them for actual reuse. So, instead of reusing the resources, they’d have to create new items from scratch, which in itself takes up more energy and resources than doing it from recycled materials. 

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Wales is kicking goals

We mentioned above that Wales is setting some ambitious goals for themselves to meet in the recycling world, but what we didn’t mention is that they’ve already achieved so much. They were the first country in the UK to introduce a charge for plastic bags way back in 2011. But, more importantly, they reached their 2020 recycling goal of 64% in 2016 – that’s four years early!

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Germany is still #1

Germany’s households have four different bins:

• Brown “BioTonne” bin for food waste – which is collected weekly;
• Blue bin for paper – collected fortnightly;
• Yellow bin for all forms of packaging – collected fortnightly on an alternating schedule with the blue bin; and
• Black bin for other garbage – which is only collected once a month.

The primary reason that Germany’s recycling practise is so successful is because of strict policy and action. It is often joked about that Germany’s hobby is recycling since they have such rigorous rules – to the point where there are different bins in public for different coloured glass products. There are also specific times where you cannot recycle glass products – as well as cause other loud noises. This is during their quiet time.

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Thinking of doing some metal recycling in Melbourne?

Whilst the rest of the world has some pretty interesting and recycling tactics, we have our own here in Melbourne too. Metal Men Recycling is a Melbourne metal recycling company that specialises in all forms of metal recycling. We offer pick-up services and can pay you for your scrap metal.

So, if you’re looking at doing some metal recycling in Melbourne, please give us a call on 03 5941 6677. Alternatively, you can fill out the enquiry form on our website.

If you’re looking to sell scrap metal, then you’ve made a great decision. Not only can you get paid for scrapping metal, but you’ll also be making a positive impact on the planet by contributing to the metal recycling industry – which uses significantly less greenhouse gasses than producing virgin metal does. But there are some things that you should keep in mind and be sure not to do when scrapping metal. Today’s blog will be concentrating on four of the more common mistakes and what you can do to avoid them.

1.   Prepare your scrap metal

You may think that it’s easier for you to just gather all your scrap metal and dump it the scrappers hands – and it may be for you, but you’ll only be cheating yourself. Strip your copper and aluminium wires. If you take the time to strip the wiring, then you’ll actually earn more of a return as it’s one less thing the scrappers will have to do. 

It’s also a good way to make it clear just how much metal you have by submitting scrap metal alone and not products that may have other materials attached to them. This is a good way to maximise your profits as well. Organising your scrap metal by ferrous and non–ferrous categories is also a good tip as it’ll make the entire process a lot easier. If your pile of scrap metal is also made to look more appealing and neat, then you’ll know what exactly your scrapping and so will the scrapyard – making it easier for them to price.

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2.   Know scrap metal grades

You should know that there are different grades of different types of metal. Copper is a popular one that has several different grades. The highest and most valuable grade of copper is known as bare bright copper. Bare bright copper is larger than 16 gauge and never tarnished. It is also bare, uncoated and unalloyed in its appearance. Stainless steel – on-the-other-hand – is graded by the amount of nickel that can be found within the mix.

The reason you should know what the grades are is to avoid disappointment later down the track. You might think you’re entitled to a different rate because you think you have high-quality scrap metal. But if it turns out you have lower grade scrap metal then you won’t be receiving what you thought you should be getting. By knowing what the grades of the metal you have are, you can accurately estimate the return you’ll be receiving for when you sell your scrap metal.

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3.   Research the scrapyard

Before you decide to take a trip to a scrapyard, you should call ahead and find out as much as you can about how particular scrapyards prefer their scrap metal to be delivered, sorted and also what the buying price is. You should always have a rough idea of what you’ll get paid before taking your scrap metal in. Once you know the rates then you can try and maximise your profit as much as possible by separating your scrap metal into specific piles and making it more attractive – for example.

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4.   Keep an eye on the market

Just like any commodity, the price of scrap metal will fluctuate so patience may work in your favour in some cases. Have a look at past trends to give you an idea of where prices were and how they compare to the current market. This will give you an idea on if you should sell straight away or if you should wait for prices to get better. It’s also smart to shop around. Get a feel for the prices that various scrapyards offer to try and find the most competitive. 

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Are you looking to sell scrap metal?

Selling scrap metal can be a great way to earn extra cash on the side as well contribute to a more environmentally friendly metal production industry. At Metal Men Recycling, we offer competitive rates for buying your scrap metal. Our knowledgeable staff members will be able to offer any assistance and answer any questions you may have in relation to scrap metal. We also offer an all-inclusive 24-hour pick-up service that includes various bins sizes for whatever size load you may have. We buy any type of scrap metal that you have.

So, if you would like to know more about our services – or how you can make the most out of our services – then please give us a call on 03 5941 6677 or fill out the enquiry form on our website.