Top Recycling Stories

A few popular recycling stories in the news...

A innovative way to do recycling....

Machine Feeds Stray Dogs to Collect and Deposit Bottles

99% of Sweden's Garbage is Now Recycled

Learn how Sweden has taken the waste management industry to the next level of almost zero waste.
full story >

Artist Recycles Old Hubcaps into Stunning Animal Sculptures

full story >

Recycling will continue to evolve and the technology may someday allow us to generate zero waste, while still keeping the industry profitable.

courtesy Talway Recycling
Scrap metals recycling Oregon

Metals Recycling News Stories

The following news stories on metals recycling provide a glimpse into this international, ever changing industry.

The scrap metal industry has evolved to the point where almost any kind of scrap metal can be recycled. It's all about economics and profitability.  Metals recycling is cheaper than digging up and processing new ores. The bottom line needs to also apply to plastics.

Forbes: "We've Pretty Much Solved the Metals Recycling Problem"....

"Thus we can ship old Soviet nuclear alloy off to be made into car wheels. And everyone profits from this, the original owners of the scrap, we middlemen who worked out how to do this and the people making those aluminium alloys who get cheaper inputs.
The scrap metal industry is full of these sorts of little quirks and business jinks. For it is a relatively mature industry and we’ve had the time to work out how to deal with almost all of the things that we produce out of metal in the first place."full story >

Columbian Company Pioneers Metal Recycling in Latin America

Still a newer market than other countries, Latin America has opportunities for metals recycling that also help the environment and generate profits at the same time.

"Colombia's Ingerecuperar has developed a new process to turn hazardous waste from metallurgy and incineration into raw materials for cement, aluminum and resins, becoming a pioneer in Latin America in recycling metal residues."

full story >

provided courtesy of Talway Recycling Corp.
www.TalwayRecyclingCorp.com

Alaska Coop Starts Scrap Metal Recycling

When I took a cruise up the inside passage in Alaska in the 1980's, we stopped at Ketchikan,  the southeastern-most city in Alaska. With a population at the 2010 census of 8,050 within the city limits, it is the sixth-most populous city in the state. Little did I know at the time that there would be a major metals recycling project here thirty years later.

A cooperative scrap metal recycling  project was just announced today in which eight cities in Southeastern Alaska will work together to collect, and recycle large amounts of scrap metal.

According to Chuck Pool, of Pool Engineering in Ketchikan, the contractor who is handling the project, "This is the first time that there has been a cooperative effort between these eight cities. The project is expected to be profitable, and does not involve any government subsidies."
The full story can be viewed here:
http://www.ktoo.org/2014/12/04/eight-southeast-cities-plan-scrap-metal-recycling/ 


Scrap metal recycling has a number of benefits for the consumer, industry, and the environment. 


Recycled scrap metals can produce many benefits in energy savings and resource reduction. Here's some facts that show why:
Using recycled scrap metal in place of virgin iron ore can yield:
75% savings in energy

90% savings in raw materials used

86% reduction in air pollution

40% reduction in water use

76% reduction in water pollution

97% reduction in mining wastes

Every ton of new steel made from scrap steel saves:

1,115 kg of iron ore

625 kg of coal

53 kg of limestone

David Brown
webmaster
Talway Recycling Corp.
www.TalwayRecyclingCorp.com

Oregon Metals Recycling Drop Boxes

Oregon Metals Recycling Drop Boxes

One of our specialties is our drop box service. We can provide same day or next day drop off and pickup service in most cases. Our prices are custom quoted depending on distance and other factors. 

We provide bins and drop boxes in a variety of sizes.

Available Bin sizes – 4x4 or 4x8

Available Drop Box sizes – 10 yd, 20 yd or 40 yd.　

Talway Recycling Corp. 

Oregon Metals Recycling - Drop Boxes

Talway Recycling Launches

Talway Recycling Corp., formerly Wurdinger Recycling, is now reorganized and launched with metals recycling services, drop box, car recycling, and related services in the State of Oregon.

The owner, Dale Wurdinger , is well known in the industry.

In 1979 Dale Wurdinger started out with a self-loader truck (pictured left), hauling and recycling appliances.

Through the years services have expanded to car crushing and metal recycling. After 30+ years in business he has launched a new company - Talway Recycling Corp.

With services expanding in four states, a fleet of trucks and mobile car crushing equipment, Talway Recycling services includes drop box and non-ferrous metals recycling.

 The web site - www.TalwayRecyclingCorp.com - has been changed to reflect the new company and can be found with Google searches such as metals recycling Oregon, where the site was last seen as # 3 on the search result page.

Talway Recycling

Main Office:
503-266-2701
EMAIL US
Mail only: PO Box 1250 Mt Angel, OR 97362

Main offices and Yard: :
24621 S. Barlow Rd. , Aurora, Or 97002

Oregon Metals Recycling - State Bill SB-570

Metals recycling is regulated in every State and Oregon has its own laws that affect both buyers and sellers. The increased amount of metals theft has caused States such as Oregon to develop new guidelines and regulations to help prevent and identify metals theft. The required Notice to Law Enforcement Agencies, the requirement of showing ID, and the Metals Transportation Certificate are three examples of legislation in Oregon metals recycling to regulate the industry. Two documents from the State of Oregon web site are shown in full below for information purposes only.

1) Understanding SB 570* - Assistance for Scrap Metal Dealer/Buyer’s
2) Understanding SB 570* - Assistance for Scrap Metal Dealer Sellers

The following information is provided to assist businesses involved with scrap metal recycling.  This information is not legal advice.  The Oregon State Police does not administer the provisions of SB 570.  If you have any questions not answered by the following information, please contact an attorney or your local law enforcement agency for further guidance.
From the State of Oregon web site :

Understanding SB 570*

Assistance for Scrap Metal Dealer/Buyer’s

The following information is provided to assist businesses involved with scrap metal recycling.  This information is not legal advice.  The Oregon State Police does not administer the provisions of SB 570.  If you have any questions not answered by the following information, please contact an attorney or your local law enforcement agency for further guidance.

Notice to law enforcement agencies

The new law requires a business to notify its local law enforcement agency within 24 hours of the occurrence of:

1.  The purchase or receipt of metal property that the business person has good reason to know was the subject of theft or has been unlawfully altered

2.  The purchase or receipt of metallic wire from which the insulation has been removed (unless the seller provides documentation proving that wire is owned by the seller and the insulation was removed by accident or by legitimate means or for a legitimate purpose);

3.  The purchase or receipt of metal property from a person other than a commercial seller, employee, agent or other individual authorized by a commercial seller who has a commercial account with the scrap metal business;

4.  The purchase or receipt of metal property from someone known or suspected to be under 16 years of age;

5.  The purchase or receipt of metal property from a person who has been convicted within the past five years of any crimes referenced within the bill, related to drugs, theft, robbery, burglary, and/or possession of stolen property. 

It is recommended you consult your local District Attorney regarding an alternative plan. 

Important facts related to the new law

1.    For purposes of the new law, Monday through Friday are the only days of the week considered as business days.  Weekends including legal holidays are not considered business days even if the business is open.

2.      A change took effect in 2010 related to recording the description of the metal.  The business can use common English terms to describe the metal purchased.  The ISRI (Identify Language Institute of Scrap Metal Recycling Industries) Circular is no longer required.   

3.    A Post Office (P.O.) Box address may be used to transmit payment in a metal property transaction if the P.O. Box is listed on government issued photo identification, i.e., driver’s license, state-issued identification card, etc.

4.    The business is not required to inspect/review the Metal Transportation Certificate (MTC).  The MTC is designed for law enforcement inspections while the metal is being transported.  The MTC is required for each transport.  Although it is not required, it is recommended for the transporter to retain the MTC for two years.

Frequently asked questions

Question:  What does the phrase “knows or has good reason to know” mean? 

Answer:  As it applies to the crime of Unlawfully Purchasing or Receiving Metal Property, the phrase relates to what a reasonable person would know based on the totality of the circumstances.  For further clarification it is recommended you contact your local District Attorney’s Office.

Question:  How are scrap metal businesses to determine if insulation has been removed by burning, melting insulation from metallic wire?

Answer:   Buyers need to be aware of a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the insulation has been removed.  Basically, if a reasonable person would suspect that the wire had been removed other than from normal business activity, i.e., contractor or other related business, then appropriate documentation is required.

Question:  Are scrap metal businesses required to notify police when property owners sell sprinkler-heads or copper pipe? 

Answer:  Unless the property owner is a commercial seller with a commercial account, the answer is yes.  Sprinkler-heads and copper pipe(s) are commercial metal property, and businesses are required to report the purchase of the commercial metal property from an individual who is not associated with a commercial account.

*March 2010 (Includes HB 3695 changes from 2010 Special Session)

Understanding SB 570*

Assistance for Scrap Metal Dealer Sellers

The following information is provided to assist businesses involved with scrap metal recycling.  This information is not legal advice.  The Oregon State Police does not administer the provisions of SB 570.  If you have any questions not answered by the following information, please contact an attorney or your local law enforcement agency for further guidance.

Document required to transport metal

A Metal Transportation Certificate (MTC) is required when transporting metal to a scrap metal business.  A form created by the State Police can be found at: http://www.oregon.gov/OSP/docs/MTC_12212009.pdf or at the Construction Industry Crime Prevention (CICP) web site: www.cicpp.com.   The form is available to download at no cost.

It is permissible for the seller to make their own metal transportation certificate provided the form contains the statutorily required information.  A transporter who chooses not to use the State Police form must create a document containing all of the following information:

• The date the metal property was acquired and the amount and type of metal property that the person is transporting;
• The location where the metal property was loaded and the destination of the metal property;
• The name, address and telephone number of the seller or the transferor;
• The signature of the seller or transferor or the authorized agent of the seller or transferor; and
• The name, address, and telephone number of the person transporting the metal property.

For commercial businesses transporting metals, an alternative document such as

a bill of lading is sufficient. 

An MTC is required to be completed with each transportation (load) and must be in the transporter’s possession at the time of transport.  Although not required, it is recommended to keep the MTC on file for two years. 

The law does not require a scrap metal business to verify the seller has an MTC; the scrap metal business maintains its own records.  The MTC is designed to protect the owner and to assist police in metal theft investigations.

Commercial Accounts

Scrap metal businesses are required to create a commercial account with a “commercial seller” (as defined in the senate bill) before purchasing or receiving the metal property.

The main differences between a commercial seller with a commercial account and a noncommercial seller are as follows:  a scrap metal business may purchase commercial metal property from a commercial seller without reporting the sale to a law enforcement agency.  A commercial seller is subject to the record keeping requirements.  A scrap metal business is not limited in the manner in which the business compensates commercial sellers of metal property.

Non-Commercial Accounts:

All payments to individuals who are not associated with a commercial account must be made with a nontransferable check transmitted by mail to the seller.  Upon receipt of payment, the individual receiving the payment may chose to do what they wish with those funds, include donating the funds to a non-profit organization.  The buyer of the scrap metal is not allowed to send the funds to any person or entity other than the seller.

A Post Office (P.O.) Box address may be used in a metal property transaction instead of a physical address provided that the P.O. Box is listed on government issued photo identification.

Frequently asked questions

Question:  As an owner, could I or one of my employees be cited by police for  transporting metal without an MTC in possession? 

Answer:  It is up to the officer’s discretion whether or not to issue a citation.  It is a defense to a charge of unlawfully transporting metal property if you are the owner, agent of, or an employee of the owner.  As the owner you may be required to provide proof to the court that the metal belonged to you.

Question:  Do I need an MTC if I plan only to recycle the metal (not sell it)? 

Answer:  If you are planning to recycle metal property at a government entity that accepts metal property for recycling you are not required to carry an MTC. 

Question:  Why should I set up a commercial account? 

Answer:  Contractors who collect and sell scrap metals are encouraged to set up a commercial account with a scrap metal business for their own convenience.  It is recommended that the seller provide a list identifying the sellers’ employees to all of the scrap metal businesses with whom the seller does business.  The law allows cash payments to commercial sellers, i.e., contractors.  However, should the seller prefer payments made by check, you will need to make that arrangement with the scrap metal business.  

 *March 2010 (Includes HB 3695 changes from 2010 Special Session)

Steel Recycling - An American Legacy

Steel, a ferrous metal that is used in so many applications for our economy, commercial and personal uses, has a major recycling tradition dating back 150 years. It is an American legacy.

As economies continue to become greener, steel remains as an important part of the global recycling industry and and is at the core of the green economy, in which economic growth and environmental responsibility work hand in hand.

As seen in the chart above, steel is North America's most recycled material. More steel is recycled annually than paper, plastic, aluminum, glass and copper combined. This is because steel scrap is an essential raw material in making new steel. As a result, each year millions of tons of steel are collected through recycling programs, and more people are participating in separating their used items into recycling bins.

What are the benefits of recycling steel?
The recycling of scrap metals use of steel scrap to make new steel conserves energy, reduces emissions and conserves natural resources.  Recycling steel helps save landfill space while providing a valuable scrap resource to the steel industry. Using old steel to make new steel also preserves natural resources and energy. For every ton of steel recycled, 2,500 pounds of iron ore, 1,400 pounds of coal and 120 pounds of limestone are conserved. In one year, the steel industry conserves the equivalent energy to power about 18 million homes for 12 months or enough to provide the city of Los Angeles power for roughly eight years.

Appliances - Metals Recycling
Appliances will typically have about 60% steel content. The steel that is used in manufacturing new appliances is made with a minimum of 25 percent recycled steel. Internal components may be made using  recycled steel also. For this reason, all appliances contain recycled steel and are recyclable when they have past their usefulness. After being recycled the steel recovered from these appliances can be made into different steel products and their continuous life cycle runs on, as steel has no memory and can be recycled into any other steel product.

From Cruising to Car Crushing - Recycling our Vehicles
In the U.S., our vehicles are most common recycled consumer product. We might not take a car to the scrap yard ourselves, but they get there eventually. Almost everyone has seen the images of a car being crushed into a much smaller box of compressed metal.  The steel recycling industry processes more than 18 million tons of steel from cars that are past their usability. The amount of recycled steel being taken from old cars and  being used in new cars is very high.  Over the years this has saved the auto industry hundreds of billions in energy savings and materials. Each year, nearly 100 percent of the cars leaving the road are recycled for their iron and steel content. At the scrap yard reusable parts, such as doors, seats, hoods, trunk lids, windows, wheels and other parts are removed from the cars. During this same process, cars are drained of fluids, mercury switches are removed and the cars are prepared for environmentally responsible recycling. Once the cars are stripped of reusable parts, the remaining automobile hulks enter the shredder. The shredding process for cars lasts only 45 seconds. The shredder, rips the car into fist-sized chunks of steel, nonferrous metals and fluff (non-recyclable rubber, glass, plastic, etc). The iron and steel are magnetically separated from the other materials and recycled.

100 Million Steel Cans a Day
Americans use 100 million steel cans each day. During that same day, more than 67 million cans are recycled by steel companies throughout North America. With more and more Americans participating in separating the metal cans into recycling bins, it benefits the environment and our economy. Recycling as much steel as possible is becoming a increasing mainstream focus.

 Residential and Commercial Construction
As popular as wood is for new construction of homes, steel is starting to become a viable alternative.
Builders are starting to use lightweight steel framing to construct homes, and are doing so with great success. Steel’s sudden growth in residential popularity has been fueled by increasing economic and environmental considerations in the building industry. Wood has been the material builders traditionally used to construct residential homes in North America but builders and homeowners are coming to realize the increasing benefits of choosing steel as an alternative building material.

 Talway Recycling continues to provide competitive pricing and services related to both ferrous and non ferrous metals at our recycling locations in Aurora, Oregon.


* information resources for this blog include the Steel Recycling Institute, Scrap Magazine, and Wikipedia