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To understand buildings, consider cities. They are evolving, iterative systems whose peripheries and hinterlands are implicated in their growth, demanding material flows of natural resources and the expenditure of energy. So too with buildings, although such thinking is relatively new. And, as urban development marches on, it is as important to analyze the embodied energy and material output of buildings when they come down as when they go up. Such flows are sometimes redirected into recycled products, but more often they terminate in landfills, waterways, or worse.

As the environmental crisis worsens, we must ask: Can we reduce our demand on new resources? Need our built environment be in perpetual flux, an endless succession of destruction and rebuilding? For Kiel Moe, professor of architecture at McGill University, the discourse surrounding demolition and recycling is “fundamental to an ethos of planned obsolescence” and isn’t “a viable way to think about sustainable construction.” Resisting this “cycle of buildings” assigns greater importance to the architectural imagination— something that should excite designers. Creative reuse, retrofitting, and, most importantly, designing programmatically versatile buildings that last should be architects’ main objectives.

But the demolition-construction cycle also entails pragmatic challenges, which may offer important—albeit fundamentally incremental—solutions to our waste predicament. Design for disassembly should become part of architectural practice, and planning to systematically sort materials during demolition can make it easier to repurpose them. The high environmental and logistical cost of removal, transportation, and processing of materials for recycling should also give pause to wrecking-ball zealots.

Ultimately, once building materials are untethered to a structure, they will find a new home, preferably in an up-, re-, or downcycled context.

1. E-Waste Negatively Impacts The Soil

First, e-waste can have a damaging effect on the soil of a region. As e-waste breaks down, it releases toxic heavy metals. Such heavy metals include lead, arsenic, and cadmium.

When these toxins leach into the soil, they influence the plants and trees that are crowing from this soil.

Thus, these toxins can enter the human food supply, which can lead to birth defects as well as a number of other health complications.

2. E-Waste Negatively Impacts The Water

E-waste that is improperly disposed of by residents or businesses also leads to toxins entering groundwater.

This groundwater is what underlies many surface streams, ponds, and lakes. Many animals rely on these channels of water for nourishment. Thus, these toxins can make these animals sick and cause imbalances in the planetary ecosystem.

E-waste can also impact humans that rely on this water. Toxins like lead, barium, mercury, and lithium.

3. E-Waste Negatively Impacts The Air

When e-waste is disposed of at the landfill, it’s usually burned by incinerators on site.

This process can release hydrocarbons in the atmosphere, which pollutes the air that many animals and humans rely on.

Furthermore, these hydrocarbons can contribute to the greenhouse gas effect, which many scientists think is a leading contributor to global warming.

In some parts of the world, desperate people sift through landfills in order to salvage e-waste for money. Yet, some of these people burn unwanted parts like wires in order to extract copper, which can lead to air pollution as well.

Australians drain the life from more than 400 million batteries each year. Less than 5% are recycled, and our consumption of batteries is increasing year to year.

When dumped in landfill, batteries can leak a range of toxic substances, including lead, mercury and cadmium, into the environment.

To counter this, Ecocycle is leading the way in battery recycling in Australia. Our approach is to:

• Accept all types of batteries. There’s nothing to think about – if it’s a battery, we’ll recycle it.
• Simplify collection. From pre-paid collection buckets suitable for just about any workplace to skips and stillages for large volumes of big batteries, we’ve got the logistics of battery collection covered.
• Automate sorting. Automated sorting is the key to increasing the value of recovered batteries, to reduce the overall cost of battery recycling and to improve the safety of the entire recycling chain.
• Provide safe storage and processing. We are investing in state-of-the-art facilities to ensure the safe storage of batteries as they wait for recycling, and seek to maximise the volume of batteries that are recycled within Australia.

Sorting

Before batteries can be directed to the correct recycling stream they need to be sorted. Ecocycle is investing in state-of-the-art sorting systems to automate this process. Computer-controlled sorting machines separate batteries according to size and chemistry, and do so far more quickly, accurately and efficiently than manual sorting.

Storage

Some of the less common types of batteries need to be stored until a sufficient quantity is available to make recycling economically viable. To ensure the highest level of safety, our new battery storage facility is being equipped with sensitive fire detection systems, video surveillance and automated fire suppression systems, including fire-fighting foam.

Recycling

How a particular battery is recycled is mainly dependent on its chemistry. Ecocycle is committed to ensuring that as much battery waste as possible is recycled within Australia. However, the wide range of battery types and materials means that some batteries need to be shipped to specialist facilities overseas.

Copper (Cu) is both a mineral and an element present in our everyday lives. It’s everywhere, from your kitchen sink to benchtops to jewelry. A large car can have more than 45kg of copper. This material is valued for its excellence as a heat and electricity conductor. It’s malleable, ductile, and corrosion-resistant, as well.

These qualities are among the reasons why copper is one of the most used metals in the world, along with aluminium and iron. That’s why copper recycling is essential and valuable.

Copper is believed to have been first used from 8,000 to 5,000 BC. During this era, copper was an alternative to stone. Egyptians soon started heating and shaping the metal in 4,000 BC. Soon, technology improved, and smelting ores began in the Bronze Age. More advancements took place. Once known as the metal of Cyprus (or simply Cyprus), the metal eventually became cup rum (or copper in English).

Copper wire recycling allows us to save energy, help the environment, and protect natural resources. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy. The recycling process can be complex but is generally made up of the following steps:

1. Stripping

The first step is to strip the copper wire from its protective shielding, often in the form of plastic insulation. Since copper has high conductivity, it’s coated to protect cables and other items from this metal. For copper wire recycling, you need to remove this protective coating to begin the process.

Cut through the shielding before removing the wire from the insulation material. To finish this step faster, you can use wire stripping tools, such as an automatic wire stripper. If you only have a few copper wires, you can simply use a pair of scissors or a wire stripper. Make sure you remove all nuts, bolts, and nails before stripping.

2. Sorting

Once insulation and attachments are removed, it’s time to sort the copper wires. They will be treated according to their grades. The higher graded copper wires will typically be melted and recast without other treatments. Meanwhile, those with lower grades may require further processing, such as removing their impurities.

3. Quality Checking

The metal will then be sent to a recycling facility for a trained eye to inspect the quality of the wires. This additional step is to ensure that there are no contaminants before the wires are melted. In some cases, a granulator may be used, which will:

• Shred the metal
• Separate intertwined wires and thick cables
• Cut the copper wire into bits

A crusher may be used for cutting the wires into manageable sizes. It ensures that there are no unwanted materials when it’s time for melting them.

4. Melting

Once ensured that the materials are ready, copper wire recycling will continue with the melting process. The metal will be loaded into a furnace where it’s melted at 1084C and cast into a particular shape. It will then be left to cool. Once ready, it will be transformed into rods, wires, or sheets before sending the recycled metal into a plant for further manufacturing.

As you can see, copper has a very high melting point. That heat is intense, and therefore you should never attempt to do it on your own. Leave the job to the pros. We recommend that you only perform the first step mentioned above, in which you collect and strip the copper wires. After that, you can take the wires to a recycling facility, such as Collins Recycling.

When the time comes to get rid of an old appliance, your business is faced with the sometimes confusing task of figuring out how to dispose of it properly. With appliances ranging from large commercial refrigerators to small coffee makers, it can be difficult to know exactly how to get rid of these products in the most environmentally friendly way.

The Environmental Benefits of Recycling Old Appliances

Whether your business needs to upgrade dozens of commercial refrigerators, or you are looking for a more energy-efficient washing machine for your home, you will soon find yourself needing to dispose of old appliances.

It’s important to seek out the most environmentally friendly means of appliance recycling that is available in your community. In fact, holding onto an old appliance for too long can be worse for the environment than arranging for it to be recycled at the end of its useful life. By using an inefficient refrigerator or washing machine, for example, your energy consumption could unnecessarily spike, leading to higher resource use and greenhouse gas emissions.

However, if improperly disposed of, old appliances can wreak havoc on the environment. Poor disposal can lead to:

• The release of hazardous substances such as used oil, mercury, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs);
• Excess greenhouse gas emissions, including but not limited to carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor; and
• The release of ozone-depleting substances (ODS), which are often found in refrigerants, into the atmosphere.

Appliance recycling covers numerous options available to consumers who are ready to part ways with their old appliances. Here are some of the different ways that you can recycle your old appliances.

Five Ways to Recycle Used Appliances

1) Appliance Resale or Donation

Depending on the condition and efficiency of your appliance, it may be beneficial to donate or sell it second-hand. This includes listing it on a resale site or donating it to a local thrift store or other location that accepts such donations. This option can be great for small appliance recycling, such as toasters or microwaves.

If you pursue this option, keep in mind the energy use/efficiency of your appliances. For example, while “reuse” is a key tenant of sustainability, putting an inefficient appliance back into use can have negative long-term impact, including high energy costs and increased energy use and emissions.

2) Appliance Swaps Through Retailers

If you are purchasing a new appliance for your business or home, you can often request the pickup of your old unit from the retailer. In fact, if you are in the market for a new appliance, large or small, try browsing products from retailers that specifically offer this service. This option streamlines your waste process and ensures that the appliance will be disposed of properly and recycled for parts.

Compressors are used in a range of industrial processes to compress gases. These mechanical devices have a life span of a few hundred hours after which they can become large heavy waste items if sent to landfill. A more cost effective solution is for unwanted or broken compressors to be refurbished for reuse.  All types of compressors can be stripped down and reconditioned to selling standard and may second hand dealers will purchase the old or unwanted compressors, making it an smart economic choice compared to landfill. Reconditioned compressors also provide affordable machinery to the community and reduce the demand for the manufacturing of new parts from virgin materials.

A number of second hand machinery dealers and some scrap metal yards buy and sell secondhand compressors. These services many be offered through pick or a drop-off facility.The compressor is stripped down to its individual components, these are then assessed for wear and tear and all reusable parts are cleaned. Where needed worn and delicate parts such as rings and bearings are replaced with new ones. This ensures that the reused parts will be returned to factory condition and that the compressor when reassembled, will function just like a new unit. The refurbished compressor is then tested for leaks and noise levels to assure performance quality.

Vast quantities of phones, appliances and other electronic waste (e-waste) end up in landfill every day, even though most of it can be recycled.

E-waste can be anything that is no longer needed and plugs into a power point or runs on batteries, including old televisions, refrigerators, lighting and even hearing aids.

Here are five advantages of recycling e-waste:

Recycling e-waste can keep a range of harmful materials out of the environment.

fluorescent tubes and lamps, contains toxic mercury that can leach into waterways when it is thrown into landfill.

The same goes for batteries, which can feature lead, mercury and cadmium.

For example, when a is recycled, the plastic parts and toxic lead are recycled, while the sulphuric acid is neutralised and then converted into sodium sulphate to make fertiliser and detergent.

3. It supports non-renewable recycling

The growing demand for electronic devices and appliances means a range of metals and other non-renewable resources need to be mined and processed.

However, many of the materials used to make smartphones, appliances and other e-waste can be re-used again.

These resources include steel, aluminium, copper and gold — not to mention large amounts of plastic that can be turned into new products.

Recycling e-waste puts these materials back to work after you’re done with your device, while dumping e-waste in landfill means more resources need to be dug up to make your next laptop or TV.

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 and 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.

There are lots of ways to recycle your old white goods or even pass them on to be used again if they are still working. White goods are large domestic appliances used for routine chores including fridges, freezers, dishwashers, dryers and air conditioners.

The best options for disposing of your white goods include:

1. Reuse and refurbishment – If they are still in good working condition, you can take your old appliances to second-hand dealers or reuse centres (use the search bar above). You can also donate or sell them on online marketplaces likes Gumtree. This ensures the materials and resources used to make the appliances are kept in use for as long as possible.
2. Company take-back schemes – Some companies offer take-back schemes, or they may offer to take the old goods when they deliver or install the new appliance. The costs of such services are often included in the original purchase price, so do your research to see if your goods are made by a company that will take them back at the ‘end of life’ and if they recycle them.
3. Commercial recyclers – Booking an independent recycler to pick up your old white goods may incur a fee, but it is a hassle-free way to be sure your old appliance won’t end up in a landfill. Some recyclers will also allow you to drop off your old white goods. Use the search bar above to find a recycler near you.
4. Council disposal – You can also register with your local council to have your white goods picked up, but not all councils will recycle them. Check with your council first to see if they send old white goods to a recycler or landfill.

White goods contain significant amounts of metal, plastic, insulating material, refrigerant (gases) and other non-renewable and valuable materials. Recycling keeps these materials in use and out of landfills. It also helps prevent toxic substances such as flame-retardants from entering the environment.

Fridges and freezers must be degassed at their end of life because they contain a refrigerant that is a very harmful greenhouse gas.

White goods sent to reuse centers or second-hand dealers may be donated to someone in need, refurbished for reuse or resold.

To safely recycle a fridge, dishwasher, dryer or other appliances, the hazardous materials inside them such as gases, chemicals or heavy metals need to be removed. The appliance is then crushed or shredded for recycling. Steel, copper and plastics are recovered and reprocessed into new products.

Metals are essential, and versatile, and can be used in a number of ways. Metals can be used for industrial purposes such as manufacturing trucks, cars, airplanes, ships, and railways. They can also be used to manufacture domestic items such as cutlery, crockery, and even packaging. The good thing about metal recycling is that it can be recycled repeatedly without altering its properties.

The most common recyclable metals include aluminum and steel. The other metals, for example, silver, copper, brass, and gold, are so valuable that they are rarely thrown away to be collected for recycling. 

The general rule is that a product needs to be at least 50 percent metal. Even if that metal is surrounded by other materials like plastic, it’s worth recycling if it’s made mostly out of metal.

You may have products with only a small amount of metal, but it’s easy to remove, and separate the metal. For example, a plastic three-ring binder is not scrapped metal, but the metal rings can be easily removed and used.

Scrap metal is classified as either ferrous (containing iron, such as steel) or nonferrous (everything else). The way to identify whether the metal is ferrous or nonferrous is with a magnet. As ferrous metals contain iron, they stick to a magnet; nonferrous metals don’t and are easily pulled out of the mixed waste stream.

After sorting, the next step is to compact or squeeze the metal. All the recycled materials are squeezed and squashed using machines so that they do not occupy so much space in the conveyor belts.

After the crushing and breaking of the metal, the shredding process starts. The metals are broken down into tiny pieces or sheets to allow further processing. The small pieces have a large surface-to-volume ratio that can be melted using less energy as compared to when they are in large pieces of metal. Normally, steel is changed into steel blocks, on the other hand, aluminum is converted into sheets.

Melting of the scrap metal takes place in a large furnace. Each metal is taken to a furnace that is specifically designed to melt that particular metal based on its specific properties. The melting process uses a considerable amount of energy. However, the energy required for melting recycled metal is less compared to the energy required to make metal from its raw material.

The furnace is heated to appropriate degrees capable of melting the particular metal. Melting can take minutes or hours depending on how big the furnace is, the volume of metal placed in the furnace and the heat degree of the furnace.