To our valued customers,

YES WE ARE OPEN! Please know as media coverage and the government’s response to the COVID-19 Coronavirus increases, Metal Men Recycling wants to assure you of the actions and strategies we are currently taking to manage the risks and navigate through this challenging time.

As of Monday 23^rd March 2020, we will have implemented new ways in which customer dealings will take place in the yard to mitigate risk to yourself, our staff and operations.

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These include;

• Wearing gloves for any operation activity including weighbridge and cashier.
• Ensuring all staff are practicing a high standard of personal hygiene.
• Regular sanitation of hard surfaces (weighbridge / cashier area etc.).
• In-person meetings between staff will be restricted making sure a distances of 1.5 meters kept during these interactions.

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Door trade;

• We will require all customers stay in their vehicles AT ALL TIMES, where possibly practicable. This is not only to keep customers safe but also staff. Staff will unload, weigh material and provide a receipt of payment through the vehicle window.

With these changes it will certainly impact the way we work and how quickly we can serve everyone however our commitment to the health and wellbeing of our customers and staff in these challenging times is unwavering.

We hope you all stay safe and we will see you soon.

Kind Regards,
The team at Metal Men Recycling.

The Victorian Government has announced a new scheme in the hopes of further combatting our state’s garbage crisis. This initiative is a way for people to essentially sell scrap cans and other containers such as bottles – rewarding people for recycling the correct way. Whilst this new scheme has just recently been announced by the Andrews Government – it won’t actually take effect until 2023. Today, our scrap metal experts thought they’d take the time to chat to you about this scheme and similar initiatives around the country.

What do you need to know?

There isn’t much information at the moment surrounding the scheme as it’s still in its very early stages. The main facts are that it will be a Victorian-wide initiative and it will be 10c per can/bottle. There are already some local councils such as Wyndham City Council that have put similar reverse vending machines in place that allow the users to deposit their cans and bottles and receive rewards such as movie tickets and prizes.

What form the Victorian-wide scheme will take is not yet known – but it may be just a simple drop-off point similar to the reverse vending machines. Municipal bodies would become major backers of the project as they have been pressuring for such a scheme for some time now.

Why is this necessary?

Recycling is always a necessary process. It keeps our landfills clear – actively contributing to the wellbeing of the environment as well as saving space in landfills as it’s not where recycling should end up. Recently, however, there’s been more of a push for Victoria to adopt such a scheme since SKM’s collapse.

In 2019, recycling giant SKM (who handled around half of Victoria’s recycling) fell into debt and was eventually wound up. Approximately 40% of the recycling that SKM had at the time was distributed to other businesses – but that still left at least 180,000 tonnes of recyclables that have now ended up in landfills across Victoria.

Because of this crisis, more pressure was put on the Victorian Government to draft up a plan to combat this and the fact that over 30 city councils were forced to dump around 45 tonnes of recyclables in landfills every day due to the SKM collapse.

How does this compare to other state’s schemes?

South Australia was the first Australian State to introduce such a scheme with their Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) being introduced in 1977. Currently, the going rate is 10c per bottle/can and was raised from 5c in 2008. Approximately 600 people are employed in SA thanks to the CDS in bottle recovery roles. So not only does this initiative help the environment and offer an incentive for people to do so – but it also creates jobs.

The Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales and the Australia Capital Territory all have similar schemes in place that have been implemented over the last few years. Western Australia is bringing theirs into effect this year, with Tasmania aiming for 2022 and Victoria coming in last in 2023. The three-year delay for Victoria is allegedly due to further consultation with industry and councils to iron out any kinks in the scheme as well as devising the best way to roll out.

What does that mean for Metal Men Recycling?

You’ll still be able to sell scrap cans to metal men recycling for a profit – no matter what type of cans they are. The difference is that we will take a broader range of materials and types of metals. We’re also able to provide these services now – as opposed to in three years. So, if you’ve got scrap metal cans, make your way down to Metal Men Recycling!

Our passionate and knowledgeable team will be able to help you with any queries you may have regarding our recycling process. We buy a wide range of metals – both ferrous and non-ferrous – and can recycle them safely into recycled metal that can be used in several different industries.

We offer weighbridges as well as 24-hour pickup services with various sized bins to suit your load of recycled metal. Our state-of-the-art facility is equipped to handle large loads so even businesses can bring their scrap metal to us.

If you’re looking to sell scrap cans or recycle scrap metal, then please give us a call on 03 5941 6677. Alternatively, you may also contact us by filling out the enquiry form found on our website.

A lot of people looking to sell scrap metal nowadays are unclear on certain facts of the industry. Some things are public knowledge whilst others are a bit more niche. We’ve already answered some of your frequently asked questions before, but today we thought we’d concentrate more on some questions affecting the industry as opposed to our company specifically.

Where can I get scrap metal from?

The simple answer to this question is anywhere. Old pipes or any old object that contains metal – like a BBQ or perhaps a cabinet – can be recycled. If the metal is rusty then that’s not a problem – but it will affect the price of the metal if it’s tarnished or rusty. Old cars and vehicles can also be recycled as they can feature different types of metal.

Aluminium cans are also a great way to recycle. Anytime you have a canned drink or food like tuna or beans, you can collect the cans and bring them to our recycling facility. As we said, you can literally get scrap metal from any object that you’re not using anymore and contains any form of metal in it. We accept the majority of metal types at our facility as well which makes it easy for people trying to sell scrap metal.

How are impurities removed from scrap metal?

If metals such as iron and steel have been tainted – then we’re able to remove those impurities using a special, yet simple method involving strong magnets. Because both iron and steel are magnetic metals, it makes it easier for impurities to be lifted from them.

What are ferrous and non-ferrous metals?

You may have heard these two terms being thrown around, or perhaps you’ve seen them being mentioned on our website – but what exactly do they mean? We’ve covered this in a blog a couple of years ago, but in a nutshell – ferrous metals contain elements of iron within them and non-ferrous do not.

Because of the iron, they’re also magnetic and are predominantly more prone to rust or corrosion when exposed to the elements. They’re also heavier than non-ferrous metals – which include varieties such as aluminium and copper.

Is recycled metal actually used?

Yes – abundantly. Almost all types of metals used in today’s industries are recycled metal – and there’s a good reason for that. Most metals, when recycled, don’t actually lose their properties – meaning they stay just as durable and retain the same quality as they were as virgin metal. This highly desirable feature makes the metal recycling process an attractive and practical one.

On top of this, recycling scrap metal to make new metal uses far fewer resources than the process involved in mining for fresh ore and turning that into virgin metal. So, not only is recycled metal just as good as virgin metal – and is widely used across several industries in the same capacity – but it’s also great for the environment.

Can I recycle metal as a business?

You absolutely can – and we highly recommend you do. Depending on your trade, you may have a significant amount of scrap metal or items containing metal in them that can be recycled. So, why not sell the scrap metal instead of dumping it or leaving it pile up?

You’ll be helping the environment significantly as well as supporting an important industry. The best part, though, is that you’ll be getting paid to sell your scrap metal. To make it easier for you we also offer 24-hour pick-up and drop off services with various sized bins.

Are you looking to sell scrap metal?

Selling scrap metal to be recycled is a fantastic way to earn some extra money on the side as well as make a positive impact on the environment. Here at Metal Men Recycling, we’re passionate about the environment and disposing of scrap metal in the correct manner – which is why our state-of-the-art facility is equipped with all the bells and whistles to make your scrap metal recycling experience as easy and streamlined as possible. We have heavy-duty weighbridges in our four-acre yard and also offer complimentary bins for drop-off and pick-up services.

If you’d like to sell your scrap metal, then get in touch with our experts by calling 03 5941 6677. You may also contact us via the enquiry page on our website.

We always get asked whether or not you can sell old batteries to us to be recycled. The short answer is yes, we absolutely accept old batteries and can properly recycle them. But there are a few catches – one of which is the types of batteries that we’re able to recycle. This guide has been prepared to talk about some of the facts surrounding battery recycling and what you can and can’t recycle.

What’s what?

Lead-acid batteries are the primary type of battery that we accept here at Metal Men Recycling. These are the sorts of batteries that are commonly found in cars as well as heavy construction machinery and trucks. Whilst smaller everyday batteries are still recyclable, these should be dropped off at safe collection points such as those at ALDI.

Almost every part of a lead-acid battery is recyclable – making it one of the more recyclable objects that we purchase. These types of batteries should be handled with care as the gases contained with them could potentially be explosive. Wear protective clothing, goggles and gloves when handling lead-acid batteries to deter any serious injuries.

Lead-acid batteries are inexpensive and accounted for 40 – 45% of battery sales for most of the world in 1999. Nowadays, they’re being phased out in favour of lithium-ion batteries which power electric cars.

Environmental impacts – why it’s important to recycle them?

As the name implies, lead-acid batteries contain lead and lead compounds in them, which is a heavy metal and toxic to the environment – as well as people. They also contain around two-three litres of sulfuric acid. These types of batteries are more often than not dumped in landfill – which means the lead could contaminate the soil and groundwater. This is the main reason why recycling lead-acid batteries is such an important venture.

Another reason is that the resources within these batteries are finite and by recycling them you’re giving them a new lease on life. In fact, lead is almost 100% recyclable and retains all of its properties when recycled. This property alone makes it a highly desirable substance within the recycling world.

So, not only does this conserve natural resources, but it also mitigates environmental impacts by reducing the amount of lead that is released at landfills. It also uses between 35 – 45% less energy to recycle lead in comparison to mining for fresh ore. The majority of recycled lead in Australia is exclusively from lead-acid batteries in fact.

The rest of the battery is easily recyclable as it’s made up of plastic and metal and can be remade into other car batteries, plant pots and even laundry detergents. We highly encourage you to sell old batteries to us so that we may appropriately recycle them and continue to contribute to a more sustainable economy.

The recycling process

We do not recommend you attempt to remove any parts of the battery on your own. You should always handle lead-acid batteries with care when transporting them to our facility. If you notice any leaks or damage that the battery has sustained, then you should take extra care and – as we mentioned above – wear protective gear whilst handling it.

We’re able to safely separate the toxic substances from the rest of the battery and then recycle the lead separately. Overall, the recycling process saves resources, time and money compared to creating products from scratch and mining for virgin ore.

Are you looking to sell old batteries?

Lead-acid batteries can be found in old cars, junkyards, heavy machinery and trucks. If you happen to come across one, then we highly recommend selling it to us so we can safely and appropriately recycle it. Metal Men Recycling is a scrap metal recycling plant that recycles several different types of metal and products including lead-acid batteries, brass, electric motors, scrap cars and cans to name a few.

We offer pickup services with several sized bins for large collections at home or at your business. We’ll deliver the bins and once they’ve been filled, we’ll come back to pick them up within a 24-hours. We also offer weighbridges that are rated to 90 tonnes so you can get your vehicle through our facility easily.

If you’d like to get in touch with us to discuss our services or sell old batteries, then please give us a call on 03 5941 6677. You may also contact us via the enquiry form found on our website.

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.