Tag: scrap metal recycling tips

Metal Recycling at Home: 5 Tips for Starting a DIY Metal Recycling Initiative

Posted on by Laura Jemetta

When it comes to sustainability, our individual contributions are incredibly important. The everyday actions that we take can have a hugely positive impact on the environment, especially when we work together with others in our community towards sustainable projects. One of the best ways to contribute positively to our environment is through recycling, a process that most of us are familiar with from our own households. However, what you might not know is that metal can be recycled as well, and that this has benefits not just for the environment, but for your hip pocket too! Setting up a metal recycling drive is one way to reap the many benefits of metal recycling. From minimising landfill waste, to providing you with an opportunity to sell scrap metal for some extra cash, there are many reasons to start up a metal recycling initiative. Whether you are a school, a workplace, or a community group, why not raise environmental awareness at the same time as potentially raising some extra cash for your organisation?

scrap metal recycling initiative

1: Know and Understand Metal

One of the first steps when setting up a metal recycling drive through your organisation is to educate yourself about metals. This includes gaining knowledge about metal types, metal sorting and separating, and how metals are recycled.

When running a metal recycling initiative, it is important that you can quickly identify different types of metal, so that they can be sorted accordingly. Down the line, sorting the metals you receive will assist the metal recycling professional that you partner with.

2: Set Up Collection Points and Bins

Now it is time to consider how you are going to collect and accept donations of scrap metal for your recycling drive. Will you have a collection point at your school or workplace? Or do you want to set up a collection bin at your home, for friends and family to drop off donations to? Now is also a good time to decide what types of metal you will accept, and in what forms, so that it is clear for those collecting scrap metal and making donations.

3: Learn About the Safe Handling of Metals

When it comes to metal recycling initiatives, ensuring that metal is handled safely at all times is critically important. Ensure that you, and everyone assisting with the recycling drive is educated and trained in ways to safely handle scrap metals. Wearing personal protective equipment such as gloves, steel-toed safety shoes, and dust masks is important to protect against sharp edges and any hazardous materials that you may come across such as lead-based paint that can coat old metal objects.

Another important point is to ensure that you engage metal professionals for tasks that relate to dismantling or disassembling objects in order to obtain scrap metal. It is critical for your safety that you do not take on these tasks yourself, but rather that you leave them to professionals with the correct training and expertise.

4: Engage Your Community

Regardless of the organisation that you belong to, when you set up a DIY recycling drive it is necessary to engage with your community in order to receive donations, and to make your drive as successful as possible. There are many ways that you can engage the community around you, whether you belong to a school, a kindergarten, a workplace, or another type of group. From flyers and leaflets making people aware of the details of the recycling drive, to your very own email campaign, it’s all about marketing! Consider a team lunch promoting the recycling initiative, or a series of social media posts that let your community know about all the ways that metal recycling benefits the environment. When people know the purpose of your initiative, as well as the details like where to drop off donations, you will have more support, and ultimately, a more successful drive.

5: Partner With a Reputable Recycling Centre

Once your recycling initiative has gathered steam and you have received your scrap metal donations, the next step is to get your donations recycled. This is where you need to partner with a reputable recycling professional, such as a specialised metal recycling centre. These professionals have the expertise to recycle scrap metal for you in a safe manner, and in a manner that will benefit the environment. When you partner with a reputable recycling centre, you can sell the metal that you have collected to these professionals, and rest assured that it will be recycled responsibly.

Do You Need to Sell Scrap Metal?

When it comes to metal recycling experts, look no further than Metal Men Recycling. Whether you have excess scrap metal from a DIY recycling drive, or you are a business looking for professional metal recycling, we can help. We pride ourselves on being scrap metal experts, and with over 50 years of combined metal industry expertise, we can provide you with a seamless experience from start to finish.

When you need to sell scrap metal, call us at 03 5941 6677, or you can fill out our online contact form and we will be happy to get back to you. As our motto says, if it’s metal, we want it!

How to Reduce Metal Waste: 4 Tips for Businesses

Posted on by Laura Jemetta

When it comes to the business and the environment, many workplaces in many industries are trying to cultivate a better relationship with our natural world. In 2023, it is indeed important to try to do better, and to try to curb any practices that are potentially damaging to our environment. Our world is in a delicate situation, and there is no doubt that it is a delicate balance between the needs of business and the needs of the environment. One of the areas that businesses can focus on for improvement when it comes to sustainability is the reduction of metal waste. From encouraging a circular economy in the workplace to finding ways to sell scrap metal to be recycled, this article will explore the many ways to reduce metal waste.

scrap metal recycling

Conduct a Waste Audit

When you want to implement metal waste reduction as a strategy and principle within your business, it is important to know where you already stand in terms of metal waste. You can do this by conducting a waste audit of your workplace which in turn can evaluate current waste management systems, gather specific data about waste practices, and even find ways to save on waste costs. It is possible to conduct the audit yourself, or you can hire an external waste management expert to conduct it for you. Regardless of the route you choose, assessing the current state of your waste management practices can give you important insights into improvements that can be made for the benefit of the environment.

Educate and Train Employees

When you want to create a culture of sustainability within your business, you will need your employees on board. In fostering a sustainable environment, your employees are major players – you will need their active involvement and participation. This begins with employee education and training about the importance of reducing waste, sustainability, and having a positive impact on the environment.

There are many ways that you can encourage and engage your employees in sustainability programs in the workplace. Consider systems that recognise and reward sustainable employee actions and efforts, and offering opportunities for your employees to make their own suggestions about ways for the business to impact the environment.

When employees are well-trained and have a sense of ownership over sustainability in their place of work, this will help to implement positive change in the business overall.

Lean into the Circular Economy

The circular economy is a model that seeks to use products and materials for as long as it is viable. The model involves making, using, repairing, returning, reusing and of course, recycling. Underpinning all these principles is an emphasis on moving away from thinking about products as disposable. Instead, you can lean into the circular economy by considering durability as well as the potential for the product or material to be recycled or repaired. 

By adopting the principles of a circular economy, your business has the potential to extend the lifespan of metal products, and in doing so, help to reduce waste and conserve your materials and resources. This in turn is better for the environment and your business overall.

Recycle Scrap Metal

One of the major things you can do to reduce metal waste is actually to increase metal recycling.  When you want to establish a metal recycling program within your business, it is essential that this program is partnered with a reputable metal recycling facility, and that every team member and employee plays an active part. You can set up collection points for different types of metal within your workplace, including sorting these into aluminium, steel, and copper waste.

When your employees are on board with your sustainability principles, they will be able to help with identifying metal waste that can be recycled, and with sorting it. Then, the final step is to sell your scrap metal to a metal recycling specialist who will take care of the recycling for you. Metal recycling has so many benefits for the environment including saving unnecessary metal waste from landfill, and lowered carbon emissions.

An efficient recycling program can reduce metal waste for your business, which can have a greatly positive effect on both your workplace and the environment too.

Do You Need to Sell Scrap Metal?

If you’re ready to sell scrap metal, look no further than Metal Men Recycling. When it comes to scrap metal, we pride ourselves on being experts. If your business has a recycling program and needs to sell metal, we are here to help with all your metal recycling needs. We are a family-owned business with over 50 years of combined metal industry experience, so we can provide you with a complete and seamless experience from start to finish. As our motto says, if it’s metal, we want it!

When you have scrap metal to sell, give us a call at 03 5941 6677, or fill out our online contact form and we will be happy to get back to you.

The Process of Copper Wire Recycling

Posted on by Irena Kosturska

An amazing opportunity to prevent metal wastage is to sell scrap copper for metal recycling. This metal is hard-wearing and easy to recycle, but it is also extensive in homes and businesses. Not only are they present in obsolete household and office appliances like microwaves, computers, and televisions, but copper is also present in plumbing, cars and rooftops.

While copper wire isn’t the most valuable grade of copper scrap, it is often widely available throughout older electronics. Recycling your copper wire is a quick and easy way to rid your space of cluttered cables and broken appliances. Most importantly, the process of recycling copper wire is quick and simple for a range of environmental and economic benefits.

The process of copper wire recycling

The process of metal recycling varies between metals, but the process of selling scrap copper wires for recycling begins with stripping the collected metal of its protective shielding. Wires are often coated in plastic insulation to protect the cables and surrounds from this highly conductive metal. This must be removed before the recycling process, by carefully cutting through the shielding and sliding the insulation off the wire. There are a range of wire stripping tools available. For smaller quantities, the insulation can be easily removed with a pair of household scissors or a handheld wire stripper, or in bulk with an automatic wire stripper by recycling experts. This process also includes removing any attachments to the scrap metal such as nuts, bolts or nails.

Once the copper wire has been stripped of the insulation and any attachments it must be sorted by grading. Higher grades of copper can be melted and recast without much refinement, but lower grades may require further processes to remove any impurities. The copper is then collected by grading and sent to a recycling facility to undergo a quality inspection to ensure the copper is contaminant free and ready for melting. Some recycling facilities have a granulator process that begins by shredding the collected metal, separating thick cables or intertwined wires, or a crusher that cuts the copper wire into smaller parts. These tools ensure that long, copper wire is cut to a manageable size and removes any mixed materials before the melting process. 

The copper is then loaded into a furnace, melted into molten metal, and cast into the desired shape. Once the copper has cooled, it is fit for a new purpose such as rods transformed into building wire or rolled into smooth sheets for further manufacturing. Recycled copper has a range of applications across many industries including transport, construction and electronics.

Benefits of copper wire recycling

Copper is an extremely sought-after metal for recycling due to its efficiency and durability. It is one of the most profitable types of scrap metal and can easily be found in homes or businesses. From old, outdated appliances and electronics, to plumbing and auto parts, there are many places to find scrap copper quickly and easily. This extremely durable metal is often used for wires as it does not lose its electrical connectivity over time. Unfortunately, this means that it does not break down with regular waste, which doesn’t take advantage of its longevity and needlessly fills up landfills.

Copper can be recycled repeatedly for massive environmental and economic benefits. Copper retains its performance despite being recycled multiple times making it an economical metal for a range of industries. The process of recycling copper not only produces less carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases, but it requires less energy and effort than the costly process of extracting and refining raw, virgin iron. Using scrap metal to its full capacity by recovering copper and stripping the shielding from cables and wires, benefits businesses, the environment, and you.  

Looking to sell scrap copper in Melbourne?

To sell scrap copper, strip your copper wires of insulation and attachments and bundle them neatly together. By separating the copper wire from other scrap metals, the wiring is easy to transport and weigh which ensures you get the best price from Melbourne’s best metal recyclers.

With over 50 years of metal recycling expertise, Metal Men Recycling provides streamlined scrap metal recycling services to Melbourne. We take all the hard work of sorting and transporting out of the process with our 24-hour pickup service to benefit your business and the environment.

Whether you’re looking to sell scrap metal or would just like to learn more about our business to business metal recycling process, give us a call on 03 5941 6677 or fill out our online contact form.

How to Choose the Right Scrap Metal Dealer

Posted on by AWD Digital

Choosing a metal recycling scrap yard is about more than just searching for the best prices in your area, you should also consider convenience, professionalism and loyalty programs. In this week’s blog, we give you a few things to look out for when choosing a metal recycler to ensure you have the best possible scrap yard experience.

Business environment

It’s a good idea to physically visit a few different scrap yards so that you can see what kind of technology each one uses and how they run their businesses. If the business has new, high-tech equipment, access to online metal markets and advanced administration protocols, they will probably be capable of handling large volumes of scrap metal, which is great for business to business scrap dealing. However, you shouldn’t rule out a scrap yard just because it has older equipment or a smaller team. Older, family owned businesses are also a great choice, especially for dropping off household items and because of their reduced running costs, they sometimes offer better exchange rates.

Location and hours

Obviously, you’ll need to choose a scrap yard in a convenient location with flexible operating hours so that you can actually trade in your metal goods. Better still, go a for a scrap dealer with its own (free) pick up service and leave collection duties to the scrap metal staff. If you’re working on a construction site and need to get rid of large amounts of scrap metal, your best bet is to find a scrap metal dealer that supplies its own collection bins that can be filled and picked up when the job is complete.

The variety of metal accepted

If most of your scrap metal comes from household items, it’s likely you’ll have a variety of different types of metal to trade in. Look for a scrap yard that accept all ferrous and non-ferrous metals to ensure you can sell your entire haul. If you choose a good scrap yard you should be able to sell:

  • Copper
  • Aluminium
  • Brass
  • Steel (including white goods like washing machines, dishwashers, ovens etc. as well as wrecked cars) and stainless steel
  • Cast iron
  • Bronze
  • Car batteries

Customer service

In any business transaction, good customer service always makes for a more positive experience. By taking the time to get to know your scrap metal dealer, you’ll get an idea of their work ethic and begin to build a rapport, which should result in positive business dealings. You’re better off going to a trustworthy metal scrapper with whom you can establish mutual loyalty over a scrapper who claims they will offer the best price but fails to deliver in terms of service. All good scrappers will reward you for repeat business, so once you find a good one, stick with them!

Special offers

Scrap dealers often offer monthly specials to boost their inventory of certain metals and to keep up with market prices, so if you have large amounts of a particular type of metal (for example aluminum cans or copper wiring), it’s worthwhile checking around for corresponding specials.

Environmental consciousness

By its very nature, metal recycling is an environmentally friendly industry as recycling metal uses far less energy than producing new metal and combats waste. However, some metal scrappers will go the extra mile, using energy efficient vehicles and machinery, reducing fuel consumption wherever possible and implementing environmentally conscious practices such as paperless admin. If minimal environmental impact is a concern of yours, look for metal dealers committed to sustainability.

General pricing

Of course, pricing is a major factor when choosing a scrap yard, as you want to be able to yield a decent profit from your metal recycling efforts. Do your research on market prices and check these against the prices offered by each scrap dealer to make sure you’re getting a fair deal. Remember, prices can vary greatly depending on supply and demand, so you can always ask a trustworthy metal dealer about their market predictions for the coming months so you can figure out when best to cash in your haul.

By keeping these factors in mind when deciding on which scrap yard to sell your scrap metal to, you’ll be able to narrow down your choices to dealers offering competitive prices and friendly, professional service. Metal Men Recycling are a family owned scrap metal company based in Pakenham. Our friendly staff have over 50 years of collective industry experience and we offer fantastic rates for all kinds of ferrous and non-ferrous metals.

How to Identify A Metal

Posted on by AWD Digital

If you are interested in selling your scrap metal, it’s a good idea to do a few tests to verify that the scrap you have is the metal you think it is. That way, you won’t get confused or disappointed when the scrap metal yard gives you the price for your scrap. By familiarising yourself with different metals and the various metal tests that can be done, you can work out exactly which metal you have got in your possession.  Continue reading →

Reducing the Energy Consumption of Your Whitegoods

Posted on by AWD Digital

Whitegoods are some of the most important appliances in our homes; we use them daily for cooking, keeping food cool and fresh, washing our clothes, and cleaning, among other things. Because we use whitegoods so often, it’s important for us to know how they work, how we can reduce their overall energy consumption, and how to reduce environmental impacts by taking them to a scrap metal buyer.

Fridges and freezers

Almost every Australian household (estimated at 99.9%) has a refrigerator, and because fridges are usually kept running 24 hours a day, they are often the single biggest consumer of power within a household. Around 13% of Victorian household energy costs are spent on refrigeration, which is why it’s so important to purchase an energy efficient model and maintain proper use. A fridge works by removing heat from the inside (thereby keeping its contents cool) and transferring it outside through its radiator coils. Because of this, it’s important to ensure your fridge isn’t positioned too close to a wall so that heat can properly dissipate.

It’s also a good idea to avoid placing your fridge in enclosed spaces, in direct sunlight in summer, and to avoid putting hot food straight into the fridge, as all of these things will force your fridge to work harder and consume more energy. Radiator coils should be kept free of dust to prevent against incidental insulation, the amount of time your fridge door is left open should be minimised, and door seals should be kept clean and in working order. If you have an old fridge, it’s a good idea to upgrade to a newer model with a high energy star rating. Instead of having your old fridge sent to the tip, take it to a scrap metal buyer to further reduce your energy consumption through recycling.

Washers and dryers

Washing machines are another important household item, and because of how often they are used, and the fact that they can be expected to last for around 10 years or more, it’s important to invest in an energy efficient model. An efficient washing machine (at least 3.5 stars for energy and 4 stars for water) can save you up to 21,000 litres of water per year and up to 25% of normal running costs over a lifetime. It’s a good idea to look for a front loading washing machine with cold water cycle options in order save on water and energy. To further reduce your energy bills you should:

  • Wash using a cold cycle wherever possible
  • Ensure your washing machine contains a full load before use
  • Use the highest spin cycle to minimise the use of a clothes dryer

Clothes dryers are used in around 54% of Victorian households, however how often and how long they are used for varies a lot between households. It’s always best to let clothes dry naturally outside whenever possible, however if you must use a clothes dryer, look for an energy efficient model such as a heat pump or gas dryer. Electric dryers should have at least a 2-star energy rating. To minimise the energy consumption of your dryer it’s best to:

  • Clean the filter before use
  • Ensure proper airflow to the surrounding area to minimise humidity
  • Dry heavy and lightweight clothing separately
  • Make use of heat emitted by the machine by drying multiple loads consecutively

With both washing machines and dryers, you should always invest in the most energy efficient option in order to minimise your energy bills and your impact on the environment. Old washing machines and dryers can be taken to a metal recycling company in Melbourne in exchange for cash.

Dishwashers

Dishwashers are present in around 50% of Victorian households and are used between four and seven times per week. By looking for a water and energy efficient dishwasher, you can drastically reduce your bills: each extra energy star can save you up to 30% on running costs. To maximise the efficiency of your dishwasher you should:

  • Only use your dishwasher on full loads
  • Run the eco cycle wherever possible
  • Regularly clean the filter

Again, old dishwashers should not simply be dumped and sent to landfill, but sent to be recycled by a reputable metal recycler.

Remember that whitegoods are meant to have a long lifespan, and by selecting well rated models and repairing small problems, you will be able to reduce not only your energy consumption and bills, but also your overall consumption of materials. If any of your whitegoods are no longer functional, or if you’re updating to more efficient models, then you should take your old whitegoods to a scrap metal buyer. The metal from your whitegoods can be recycled again and again, so when you trade them in as cash for scrap, you are reducing the waste that goes to landfill, conserving resources, and reducing emissions created in the production of new materials. Metal Men Recycling can give you cash for scrap metal and even have a scrap metal pickup service for heavier items.

4 Great Reasons Why Copper Is The King Of Scrap Metal

Posted on by AWD Digital

Copper is one of the most coveted metals down at the scrap yard. It is a non-ferrous metal and is actually the best conductor of electricity – not including precious metals of course. Even though copper is a fairly common metal, it is still highly sought after for recycling purposes. Let’s explore four reasons why copper is one of the best metals to recycle and discover how you can maximise your return when you turn your scrap copper into cash.

Continue reading →

6 Tools & Tricks of the Scrap Metal Trade

Posted on by AWD Digital

Selling scrap metal can be a great way to earn some extra cash but if you have never done it before you may be a bit unsure about how to get started. Here are a few popular tools and tips which can help you make money from scrap metal.

  1. A magnet will come in handy

While some scrap metal yards accept both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, the latter (which includes metals such as copper, aluminium and stainless steel) are more valuable to recycle and will fetch you more cash at the scrap metal yard. You can work out which type of metal you have by using any kind of magnet (even a fridge magnet will work).

If the magnet sticks to your metal then you are in possession of a ferrous metal such as steel or iron. Ferrous metal is not worth a lot but Metal Men Recycling will still accept it and make sure it is recycled properly.

If the magnet does not stick to your metal then you have a non-ferrous metal on your hands and may be able to make some serious money by selling it to scrap metal buyers.

  1. Safety gear is essential

It’s important to take certain precautions when collecting metal, especially if it’s old or rusty. You should protect yourself when collecting scrap metal by wearing clothing that covers your skin adequately, work boots, goggles and thick gloves.

  1. A metal file will reveal the true colour

As some metals are worth more than others, it can be handy to determine exactly which type of metal you have come across. By using a metal file to file down coated items or wires you can identify the type of metal. Some copper and brass pipes may be tarnished but when you use a metal file you can reveal the original colour of the metal. Copper is a reddish colour and brass pipes will appear yellowish in colour.

  1. All that glitters is not gold

Scrap metal prices vary based on material and location. Scrap metal is also graded according to what type of material it is and what condition it is in. It can be challenging at times to estimate the value of your metal unless you constantly have your finger on the pulse of the metal market (or scrap regularly). However, you can utilise sites like Kitco to determine current market prices. The most profitable scrap metals generally include copper, aluminium, silver, gold, brass, stainless steel, iron and lead.

  1. Basic information is just a click away

Basic knowledge of different types of metals is extremely useful when getting started at scrapping metal. There a lots of online guides to metal types such as eBay’s Guide to Different Types of Metals and Alloys which give you a great overview of the features and characteristics of a range of metals.

  1. You could be sitting on a gold mine!

If you own your own home/business or rent a large property, chances are you have something lying around that you could sell to a scrap metal company. From cans and wires to cars and old machinery, Metal Men Recycling will give you cash for any kind of scrap metal. To find out what items can represent great sources of scrap metal consult our informative blog or contact our friendly team.