Earth Day is celebrated every year on 22 April. It is recognised globally and is fundamental for outlining and promoting awareness of environmental issues around the globe. As new materials continually enter the marketplace, it is crucial that old materials are repurposed, reused or recycled.

The amount of scrap metal in the UK is huge. Since 2017, there has been a 113% increase in building and infrastructure projects. Metals taken from commercial building sites do not need to end up in landfills. Instead, these old metals can be weighed in at a scrap metal merchant, where they will be reused and repurposed to recreate new metals in the industry.

Repurpose metals for Earth Day with your local scrap yard

Metal recycling is extremely important for a circular economy. Did you know? Metal is 100% recyclable, it is permanent and can be recycled forever, over and over again. It contributes to the circular economy, avoiding landfill. 

The British Metals Recycling Association EuRIC Metal Recycling Factsheet outlines: “Thanks to their unique properties, metals can be indefinitely recycled. At their end-of-life (EoL) stage, products made of metals can be re-processed via mechanical treatment and re-introduced to the production process to make new metals. As a result, value chains are already largely circular, despite room for improvement. 

“Metal recycling closes the loop within the production process, therefore reducing the amount of waste that goes into landfill and the amount of primary raw materials required.”

Metals such as aluminium can be reused again, by doing so, it saves 80% of the energy that was used to make it.

Recycle metals this Earth Day

The best way to help the environment when considering scrap metals is to take them to a scrap metal merchant for recycling. Selling your scrap metal has numerous benefits for you and your business. When you take your metals to a scrap yard, they will be sorted, weighed, and we also offer instant payments. Scrap metals can be processed from many sources including excess materials from manufacturing, old appliances, and metals from commercial and industrial operations.

Your processed metals are then sorted into specific grade products that manufacturers will purchase and use in the creation of new products.

Gordon Grove Metal Company repurposes, reuses and recycled scrap metals in South East London

It’s vital that scrap metal isn’t wasted. Recycling your scrap metal not only helps save the environment, but it can also help you earn additional revenue. Let us know if you have any questions about what metals we take, the current price of metals, or how we can help you make the world a better place this Earth Day! Call us on 0203 917 4516.

Catalytic converter theft is continually on the rise. In a recent article published by the BBC outlining the surge in cases reported to the Met police, it was stated: “The Met’s motor vehicle crime unit investigated nearly 15,000 reports of such thefts in 2020, compared to 9,500 over the previous year.” The increase in cars being left vulnerable to thieves during lockdown and the increase in metal prices, could both be contributing factors. Here, we delve further into catalytic converter theft. 

What is a catalytic converter? 

Catalytic converters are a fundamental part of ensuring your vehicle runs healthy. They absorb harmful gasses through the exhaust, such as hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide, and they turn them into less harmful gasses such as water vapour and carbon dioxide. Catalytic converters are one of the most valuable parts on a vehicle and they can be easily accessed at the front of a vehicle with enough knowledge. They are simple to remove and sell for profit, therefore making them one of the most popular parts for car thieves to target.

Why are catalytic converter thefts on the rise?

Catalytic converters contain precious metals including platinum, rhodium and palladium, all of which hold value. In the past 12 months, the price of precious metals has sky-rocketed. This therefore makes the current scrap catalytic converter price much higher than usual. It only takes a matter of minutes to remove a catalytic converter from a car. This has resulted in catalytic converters becoming a prime target for thieves. 

How will I know if my catalytic converter has been stolen? How can I prevent it?

You will be able to notice if your catalytic converter has been stolen straightaway. The car will make a very loud noise and acceleration may be slow.

Read our top tips on how to prevent catalytic converter theft:

• Parked cars are a prime target, always try to park in busy well-lit areas with active CCTV
• Park in front of an object such as a wall or another car to make the front of your car more difficult to access
• If you have a high value catalytic converter, consider purchasing a ‘catloc’ device
• Fit a Thatcham approved alarm to detect if the vehicle is being jacked up
• Purchase a ‘cat clamp’ to fit onto your catalytic converter to prevent it being removed

How much is it to replace a stolen catalytic converter?

Replacing a catalytic converter can cost between £200 to £1000. It’s important to be aware that if the police stop you and your catalytic converter is missing, you could be fined up to £1000 for driving while emitting toxic gasses.

Gordon Grove Metal Company

Catalytic converter thefts are extremely frustrating and we often receive calls from customers that have had this happen to them. We will collect your car for free if your catalytic converter has been stolen and you don’t want the hassle of replacing it. Simply call our happy to help team on 0203 917 4516. We will collect the vehicle on a day and time that suits you, plus we will handle the paperwork!

Read the full BBC article here.

Gordon Grove Metal Company reports an increase in the number of diesel cars being scrapped prior to the Ultra Low Emission Zone expansion in October this year

London is set to take another step in becoming cleaner in October with the expansion of ULEZ. This change will affect hundreds of thousands of Londoners, and many others who drive into the capital, with new emissions standards charging £12.50 a day for non-compliant vehicles.

On 25 October 2021, ULEZ will affect most of the capital with the expansion of the congestion charge zone, meaning it will no longer just be in place in central London.

The original area will be 18 times bigger, and it will include all streets inside South and North Circular Roads. If your car doesn’t comply with the new rules, you have just over 6 months to consider getting rid of your vehicle or face expensive new charges.

Gordon Grove Metal Company, London based Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF), states how they have seen an increase in cars being scrapped. However, this isn’t just petrol cars, there has been a huge increase in diesel cars being scrapped too.

Craig Barnaby, Managing Director said: “We have seen a huge increase in the amount of cars coming to us to be scrapped, particularly diesel.

Most people think that if they have a fairly new diesel car it will be compliant, however, most diesel cars bought prior to 2015 do not meet the Euro 6 standards required. This means you will have to pay the £12.50 charge for driving just one mile down the road.”

The standards set for non-compliant vehicles may surprise some motorists. The non-compliant vehicles are any petrol car that doesn’t meet Euro 4 standards, this is generally most cars bought before 2006, and any diesel car that does not hit the Euro 6 standard, as mentioned, this is typically diesel cars bought prior 2015.

Gordon Grove Metal Company has reported they have seen a 35% increase in diesel cars being scrapped in comparison to this time last year and they expect this figure to grow further.

There are many schemes now in place to encourage motorists to scrap their vehicle in the fight for cleaner air throughout London. Transport for London’s ULEZ scrappage grant means drivers can benefit from a money sum to take their car off the road and scrap it.

You can read more about this here: ggmc.co.uk/ulez-scrappage-scheme

If you have a vehicle that emits high emissions and you need to get rid of it before the new ULEZ expansion comes into force in October, call Gordon Grove Metal Company on 0203 917 4516.