The Scrap Metal Recycling Association of New Zealand is the national scrap metal recycling industry association. Its members range from individual scrap collectors through to large processors and end-users of scrap metal. The majority of members deal primarily or exclusively in metals.
The Association's functions are:
- to promote the interests of the scrap metal recycling industry.
- to work with government and local bodies on policies affecting scrap metal recycling.
- to promote co operation and networking between our members to help solve common problems within the industry.
- to inform and educate the public about the scrap metal industry
All members are committed to raising the standard of the scrap metal recycling industry through compliance with all legal requirements of its operations and products, including fulfilling safety and environmental responsibilities.
Did you Know...
- Scrap metal recycling is the oldest form of recycling
- Scrap metal is currently New Zealand’s 17th largest export earner
- New Zealand scrap metal is exported to countries worldwide
- Metals can be recycled almost indefinitely without losing any of their properties
- Recycling scrap metal has many environmental benefits
- Almost all metal products (not just aluminium cans!) can be recycled in some way
Scrap Metal Recycling and the Environment
Scrap metal recycling has many major benefits for the environment. It helps cut greenhouse gas emissions, saves energy and protects the depletion of our natural resources. Significantly less energy is required to produce steel products from recycled scrap metal than from virgin ore. Most importantly however, scrap metal is a reusable resource! Unlike most other recyclables scrap metals have an almost never ending life cycle, allowing them to be recycled over and over again.
Recycling scrap metals also helps protect our landfills by preventing unwanted metals from ending up in landfills and leaching toxic metal components into the soil.
Fast Facts & Figures:
- Aluminium can be recycled indefinitely as reprocessing does not damage its structure. Aluminium is also the most cost-effective material to recycle
- Recycling 1kg of aluminium saves up to 6kg of bauxite, 4kg of chemical products and 14 kWh of electricity – enough to power a TV for three hours!
- Two-thirds of all cans on supermarkets shelves are made from steel. They have a very thin layer of tin that protects the surface of the can, which is why steel cans are often called "tins".
- Every tonne of steel packaging that is recycled saves 1.5 tonnes of iron ore and reduces air emissions by 86%
- Steel scrap is essential in the process of making new steel and can be recycled indefinitely without losing its quality. Most new steel products use at least 25% of recycled steel in their production.
Scrap Metal Theft
In New Zealand copper products, such as spouting, hot water cylinders and cable are the most commonly reported stolen items. However other items like manhole covers and even rubbish bins have also been targeted for their scrap value. Overseas, thieves have even stolen railway tracks and bridges in their search for scrap metal.
The Scrap Metal Recycling Association of New Zealand is actively working with the New Zealand Police to fight this problem. Part of this effort has seen the development of a stolen report form for the reporting by the Police of stolen scrap metals. Police complete this form and use it to notify the Association of a metal theft and the Association then forwards this information on instantly to all members within the region concerned. This system has proven to be fast and efficient and has dramatically reduced the accidental purchasing of stolen metals. Additionally, the new system has also made it easier for thieves to be apprehended and convicted.
The Association and its members remain committed to continuing to work to reduce the problems of stolen scrap metals. Visitors to this site are welcome to report any stolen metals using our report form on the above tabs, however please ensure you also log your complaint with your local police station as should your metals be recovered our members will need to deal directly with the Police over the matter. If you have any concerns regarding this process please contact us as we will be happy to discuss these with you.
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