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All about Stainless Steel
Stainless steel products are designed for the long term and built to last. We’re talking several decades. It can outlive the best of us. It’s a monster!
Stainless steel products are designed for the long term and built to last. We’re talking several decades. It can outlive the best of us. It’s a monster!
Stainless steel is one of the top dogs of the metal world. Here’s some of the reasons it deserves this title:
super strong
durable - standing the test of time
100% recyclable
excellent environmental performer
contains raw materials that make it economically viable.
Stainless steel is found everywhere - in our homes, offices and in the construction of buildings and transport across our cities.
It’s used for the smallest of items, like razor blades and cutlery, to being a major part of the biggest items across the world, like skyscrapers, architectural homes, cars, machines and appliances.
Stainless steel goes on and on
Stainless steel is often used for products because it goes on and on. But, there comes a time when it reaches the end of its useful life.
The truth is, in many cases, stainless-steel products could go on for many more years, but products become outdated, or technology has left it behind, or another part of the product has failed. It will then be replaced for an updated model or a more efficient model.
The good news is that once the item is thrown away, it’s often recovered and put into recycling.
Don’t rely on that though. If you really want the updated model and you’re about to chuck out the old one – throw it into the recycling bin.
Stainless steel recycling
Stainless steel is 100% recyclable with around 90% of products containing stainless-steel being recycled to be remelted.
According to ASSDA (Australian Stainless Steel Development Assoc.) most stainless steel objects have approximately 60% recycled content including:
reclaimed scrap - e.g. fridges, washing machines that don’t work
industrial scrap – e.g. offcuts from manufacturing
The remaining 40% is made up of new raw materials.
Recycling the scrap
Stainless steel rarely loses its strength or deteriorates because it contains elements like nickel, molybdenum and chromium. Together they’re nearly as strong as vibranium (perhaps not, given vibranium is a fictional metal in Marvel Comics and films). But you get the point – it’s T O U G H.
All the elements that make up stainless steel are valuable in their own right and can be removed for remelting.
A recycling processor shreds the metal into small pieces. It’s then analysed and sorted into types or blended with other steel scraps and shipped off to steel mills – often overseas.
At the mill, the steel is melted, impurities removed and made into slabs, sheets or blocks of stainless steel for manufacturing. And so it starts life again.
Environmental-efficient stainless steel
This melting process can happen again and again and again. Even when the stainless steel has been used in products for decades, it can still go through the recycling process several more times.
Stainless steel can be returned to its original quality and used again as a major part of buildings, cars, ships, tools, machines and appliances.
Throw stainless steel into the recycling bin and the next time you see it is when it’s been re-born. Made into everyday items like kitchen sinks, pans, cutlery – all sparkling new.
The future of stainless steel
The bottom line – stainless steel is great for the environment as it can be re-used time and time again, without losing its quality.
Want to recycle your scrap stainless steel?
Have you got stainless steel lying around at home? Why not take advantage of our free metal collection service? Call us today – we’ll pay you the best prices for your scrap metal.
If you’d like to know more about what we do, take a look at our full range of metal recycling services.
7 reasons to recycle scrap metal
Over the last few months while more of us have been stuck at home, we’ve found time for a good clear out. Throwing out junk from the garage, sorting the kid’s toys, cleaning out the wardrobe and tidying the kitchen cupboards.
Over the last few months while more of us have been stuck at home, we’ve found time for a good clear out. Throwing out junk from the garage, sorting the kid’s toys, cleaning out the wardrobe and tidying the kitchen cupboards.
During the splurge did you remember to recycle? Lots of folk have really upped their game when it comes to recycling in recent years but there’s still a long way to go.
And, the surprising part. Metal recycling is often overlooked, yet it’s easy peasy to do and great for the environment.
1. Recycling protects the environment
It’s not sustainable to continue mining metal ore and refining it into usable metals. When we consider how easy it is to recycle and reuse metals, we don’t need extensive mining. Extracting non-renewable metal ore is not only expensive, and a risky business, it wreaks havoc on the natural environment.
Earth has a finite amount of metal ore. Digging for it destroys our landscapes. Forests are cut down, waterways diverted and the homes of wildlife are harmed.
Do we really want our kids growing up in an environment that is so spoilt?
2. Recycling saves energy
Recycling metal uses less energy than sourcing and processing raw materials to create new metals.
Did you know - it takes about the same amount of energy to make one aluminium can from raw materials as it does to make 20 cans from recycled metal. That’s incredible.
The Steel Recycling Institute found that steel recycling saves enough energy to electrically power the equivalent of 18 million homes for a year.
3. Recycling cuts carbon emissions
Producing new metals releases CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. These greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide spell disaster for climate change.
Recycling reduces carbon emissions.
4. Recycling creates less pollution
Recycling means there’s less need to transport new raw materials long distances by rail or boat. Less travel equals less pollution.
5. Recycling reduces landfill sites
Landfill sites are full of rubbish and waste. Rubbish that includes metals of every kind.
In fact, landfill is one of the worst culprits for chemical pollution. And, they’re a blot on the landscape and stinky places.
If we stop throwing everything in the bin and start to recycle more, the less need there’d be for landfill.
6. Recycling creates jobs
The more we recycle, the more jobs can be created in the recycling industry.
At a time when we’re seeing a steep rise in unemployment across Melbourne, as well as Australia (and the world), jobs are needed.
A study for the Australian Government showed that recycling creates 9.2 jobs per 10,000 tonnes of waste. The same amount of waste going to landfill creates 2.8 jobs.
Recycling wins every time!
7. Recycling puts money in your pocket
We pay the best prices for scrap metal. If you’re looking for somewhere in Melbourne to recycle your unwanted metal – we can help.
We turn your waste metal into money (no, not literally). We take the metal off your hands and do a same-day bank transfer into your account.
We guarantee top dollar - even for small amounts of metal.
Why throw it away when you can recycle and have a few extra dollars in your pocket?
The benefits of metal recycling far outweigh sending scrap metal to landfill.
It’s not only better for the environment, it’s better for you. And for your kids, and their kids – and the future generations.
Why Chilcorp?
We’re one of the best scrap metal yards around.
We do everything by the book.
We use the best technology to process your scrap metals. We guarantee total accuracy in our weighing and pricing.
If you’d like to know more about what we do, take a look at our full range of metal recycling services.
What is scrap metal recycling?
Unless you were born in the 80s, you might be thinking scrap metal is some kind of heavy rock music. There’s a whole lot of metal with both but they’re a completely different ballgame.
Unless you were born in the 80s, you might be thinking scrap metal is some kind of heavy rock music. There’s a whole lot of metal with both but they’re a completely different ballgame.
Recycling
Scrap metal recycling is exactly what it sounds like. Waste or unused metal, or any object that contains metal, is turned into new materials to be used again. It’s any kind of metal from steel, copper, aluminium, zinc, nickel, lead and titanium. The metal is melted down to be reused.
Metal in its raw form comes from the earth. It’s super expensive to mine or extract from the ground and process into usable metal.
It’s cheaper for manufacturers to buy recycled metals for their products than buying new.
Get it recycled
Collect your unwanted metals. Scrap metal is big business in Australia, currently worth over $2 billion.
It could be building supplies or materials, vehicle parts or household items.
Are you a tradie?
Tradies are on a winning streak when it comes to recycling metal. Construction firms have plenty of steel off-cuts. Plumbers use fixtures and fittings made from a range of metals, some still use copper piping. And electricians use wires and electrical equipment.
There’s so much scrap lying around. Find the leftovers and waste products that could be given a new lease of life and put a few extra dollars in your pocket.
All too often these items are tossed into the dump. What a waste of money… never mind ignoring the environment.
Ferrous and non-ferrous metals
All metals are recyclable.
Non-ferrous will give you more money.
It’s super easy to know if a metal is ferrous or non-ferrous.
All you need is a magnet.
If the magnet sticks to your metal, it’s a ferrous metal.
If the magnet does not stick to your metal, it’s a non-ferrous metal.
The most common non-ferrous metals are the ones that don’t contain iron and are less likely to corrode:
Tin
Zinc
Lead
Brass
Nickel
Copper
Aluminium
Magnesium
Ferrous metals include:
Steel
Iron
They’re less valuable but you can still make some money if you have enough scrap. Steel is easily found from old cars to chairs, shelving, cabinets, and more.
Find out more about ferrous and non-ferrous metals here. (link to the article on ferrous/non-ferrous)
Cash for scrap
You’ll definitely make some money from scrap metal. But it won’t be cold, hard cash.
New laws came into effect on 30 May 2018 that banned scrap metal dealers in Victoria from paying or receiving cash when buying or selling scrap metal.
Don’t panic, you’ll get your money within minutes. It’ll come through an electronic funds transfer straight into your bank account.
Non-transferable cheques can be used but not many people choose this way.
Why Chilcorp?
We’re one of the best scrap metal yards around.
We do everything by the book.
We use the best technology to process ferrous and non-ferrous metals. That means we guarantee total accuracy in our weighing and pricing.
The price we pay is the price you deserve.
If you’d like to know more about what we do, take a look at our full range of metal recycling services.
What’s the difference between ferrous and non-ferrous metal
Don’t you just love a ride on the Ferris wheel? Kids love them too…
Stop stop … we’re not talking about Ferris wheels, we’re talking about ferrous. Admittedly ferrous and Ferris wheels are both metal but that’s where the similarities end.
Don’t you just love a ride on the Ferris wheel? Kids love them too…
Stop stop … we’re not talking about Ferris wheels, we’re talking about ferrous. Admittedly ferrous and Ferris wheels are both metal but that’s where the similarities end.
There are 2 types of metals:
Ferrous metals
Non-ferrous metals
Both are recyclable.
What’s the difference between ferrous and non-ferrous metal?
Ferrous metals contain iron.
Non-ferrous metals do not contain iron.
Non-ferrous metals are more valuable and rarer than ferrous. And they’re resistant to corrosion.
How can you tell the difference between the two?
It’s easy to tell which is which – just grab a magnet.
Ferrous metals are magnetic.
Non-ferrous metals are not magnetic.
Ferrous metals
Examples include:
Stainless steel
Carbon steel
Engineering steel
Cast and wrought iron
The iron in ferrous metals makes them super strong, hard and durable. But, when there are small amounts of iron in the metal and it’s made of different metals, it’s weaker.
Ferrous metals, like mild steel, are used in the construction of the world’s longest bridges and largest skyscrapers. Obviously, it needs to be pretty damn strong for that. No-one wants to be standing on top of a fragile high-rise building or a flimsy bridge.
You’ll also find ferrous metals in housing, vehicle production, railways, industrial containers and large-scale piping. High-quality chef’s knives and electrical appliances are also made from ferrous metals. That’s what makes chefs so good in the kitchen…
Ferrous metal is currently one of the most recycled materials in the world.
Around 500 million tonnes of recycled metals make over a billion tonnes of steel every year.The downside of ferrous metals is that they can rust when damp for a period of time.
The exceptions are wrought iron because it’s pure iron and stainless steel which has a high chrome content (no, we’re not talking about a website browser here. Stay on topic – it’s a metal).
Non-ferrous metals
Examples include:
Aluminium
Brass
Copper
Nickel
Tin
Lead
Zinc
Gold
Silver
Non-ferrous metals don’t contain iron. They’re not magnetic and usually more pliable and lighter.
These metals are popular because they can still be extremely strong but light-weight. Think, food tins, drinks cans, cutlery, electrical cables and … constructing aircraft. Eerrmm, yep. It kinda seems scary flying in the sky in something made out of the same metal as a coke can
Non-ferrous metals are often used outside because they’re very resistance to rust and corrosion. It makes them ideal for things like road signs, water pipes, roofing and as well as small electronics and wiring.
Call Chilcorp today to talk more about ferrous and non-ferrous metals
Ferrous scrap metals are usually in good supply which means they’re priced lower than non-ferrous metals.
To get a realistic, honest price – give us a call today.
All about aluminium recycling
Aluminium is one heck of a metal.
It’s strong, light, durable and pliable. It can be used for so many products, big or small.
Aluminium is one heck of a metal.
It’s strong, light, durable and pliable. It can be used for so many products, big or small.
Aluminium is also sustainable. It can be recycled after use without losing any of its qualities. It can then be used to make new products. And then recycled and reused again, and again and again... you get the picture.
History of aluminium
Did you know - no one had even heard of aluminium 200 years ago. Seems hard to believe given it’s found everywhere nowadays. From drink cans to planes, cutlery to window frames.
Aluminium is one of the most common elements found in the earth’s crust. It starts life as the raw material, bauxite ore, which contains about 15-25% aluminium. To draw out the aluminium, the ore is melted down and an electric current is sent shooting through it to separate the oxygen from the metal.
It takes 4 tonnes of bauxite to produce 1 tonne of aluminium. It’s a super expensive process.
On the other hand, recycling aluminium uses a fraction of the energy it takes to produce the primary (new) metal. That’s the greenhouse gas equivalent of removing almost one million vehicles off the road for an entire year.
About 10% of Australia’s electricity goes into making brand new aluminium. Using recycled cans to make new aluminium saves a huge amount of energy.
In fact, for every aluminium can you recycle, you save enough energy to power a TV for 3 hours! Suez.com.au
So, next time you stay in to binge watch the latest Netflix series and have a few tinnies, remember to recycle those cans to help save the planet.
No wonder they say recycling aluminium is the duck’s nuts!
What a waste
As aluminium is the most recyclable material, the metals recycling industry works closely with state and territory governments to recover as much aluminium as possible from our trash.
Aussies throw away more than 40% of empty cans every year. Ouch.
That’s not only a lot of waste – it’s a waste of money.
On the upside…
… two billion aluminium cans are recycled every year in Australia.
Most people in Australia have access to kerbside recycling collection so there should be no excuses.
The Aluminium Association estimate that 75% of all aluminium ever created is still in use today. Now that’s a win!
Aluminium recycling
There are two types of aluminium recycling:
New aluminium scrap
Roughly 100% of new aluminium, like leftovers from manufacturing and fabrication processes, can be recycled.Old aluminium scrap
75% of old aluminium, from end of use products like packaging, engineering, building, etc., can be recycled
But, there’s a far bigger supply of recycled aluminium than is currently used. Because of that, a massive amount is exported to China.
Perhaps it’s time for Australian’s to start demanding more products are made from recycled aluminium instead of using so much of our natural resources creating new aluminium.
What are the benefits of aluminium recycling?
The biggest benefit of recycling aluminium is that it can be recycled unlimited times. It can be reused tons of times over decades.
Every time it’s melted down and reformed it still stays just as strong. And remains a high-quality metal. It’s alleged that around three quarters of all aluminium produced since the material came to fame in the late 1800’s, is still in use today! That’s pretty good going.
Aluminium recycling is extremely energy efficient. Recycling not only saves tonnes of CO2 emissions being released into the environment, it also helps stop the destructive mining of new bauxite ore.
Scrap cans
In Australia, over three billion aluminium food and drink cans are sold every year. If you imagine all these cans being recycled again and again, it’s easy to see just how much energy and raw materials could be saved.
The entire recycling process for aluminium cans, from being thrown into the recycle bin to being sent back to the shops and supermarkets ready for re-sale takes as little as six weeks. That means that every aluminium can could be recycled eight times in one year. That saves enough energy to manufacture more than 150 new aluminium cans.
Aluminium scrap value
Aluminium scrap is sought after. It usually has a good value for scrap metal dealers and is paid for by the kg or tonne for any aluminium-based items. As with all scrap metals, the value of aluminium can change on a daily basis depending on shifts in the global market.
At Chilcorp we’re always happy to tell you the prices over the telephone.
Recycle your aluminium
There are a bunch of ways you can recycle aluminium:
Recycling bin for kerbside collection
Collect it up and bring into us.
For large quantities of scrap metals, we offer a collection service
Victoria plans to have a container deposit scheme by 2022/23.
Whether you’re a tradie, homeowner or metal dealer, do your bit and recycle your aluminium to make a positive impact on the environment.
Contact us
At Chilcorp, we always give you the most up-to-date prices for aluminium.
Give our experienced and friendly team a call and we’ll make sure you get the best price for your scrap metals.
We use the latest processing technology to dispose of and recycle your materials. All you have to think about is receiving payment for your scrap.
Cha-ching cha-ching!
COVID19 Update
We stand with our fellow Victorians
We stand with our fellow Victorians
We are still OPEN.
We understand the seriousness of the situation caused by COVID-19. This situation is unknown territory for us all. We know that sometimes, we don’t always know how to respond.
But, what we do know is that we will always act as responsibly as possible, following the rules and guidelines set by authorities.
Our Actions
The COVID-19 global pandemic is taking a toll on scrap metal businesses and affecting prices and the delivery of scrap metal.
We take our responsibility in preventing the further spread of the virus seriously. We have introduced new ways of dealing with customers:
Please stay in your vehicle at all times (where possible) when you come to our yard
All staff are practicing a high standard of personal hygiene
We have plenty of alcohol-based hand sanitiser available for staff and customers
We sanitize all hard surfaces regularly (cashier counter and weighbridge)
We wear gloves and face masks when necessary
We practice distancing of 1.5 meters
Keep on keeping on
We want to stay as hopeful as possible through this. We know as a nation we can get through it and come out the other side. We are here for you, our customers.
We really appreciate your continued support. The safety of everyone who visits Chilcorp is paramount. We thank the incredible people keeping our essential services going.
We still believe that even in this time, it’s important to continue work towards developing sustainable solutions for our planet. This situation has not halted climate change.
We continue to recycle metals and encourage you to do the same.
Outlook for the rest of the year
We know that lower prices on Aussie metal markets are worrying for some people. Many traders are currently storing expensive metal purchases. It’s advisable to call us and check the price of ferrous and non-ferrous metals regularly, to keep up to date on how the market changes during this time.
Although it’s an ever-moving feast just now, we shouldn’t lose sight of the good position that Australia is in.
Be mindful that the value of scrap metals is constantly changing. By keeping an eye on the value of scrap metals, you can find the right time to cash in on your unwanted metal.
At Chilcorp we’re always happy to tell you the daily prices of metals over the phone
Stay safe.