Family-owned recycling company Recycal is firmly rooted in the metals recycling industry. Through extensive programs, advanced facilities and a commitment to corporate and social responsibility, it’s helping to future-proof recycling in the Apple Isle.
The Rowe family’s involvement in the recycling industry dates back to 1990. Its experience is broad, from dissolving copper scrap to produce chemicals for use in the mining industry, to chemically treating silver bearing wastes to recover the pure silver, and mainstream metal recycling.
This business laid the foundation for what would become Recycal, a company reborn in 2012 with a mission to revive superior service.
Drawing on decades of experience and industry knowledge, Recycal has established itself as a leader in metal recycling, rekindling relationships with past clients and expanding its customer base. At its core, is a commitment to environmental sustainability and resource recovery.
Recycal has invested almost $29 million (including $2 million in Federal Government funding) into its advanced heavy duty shredder processing capabilities at its Rocherlea site.
The company’s forthcoming $23 million floc processing plant (floc being the material and metals that don’t stick to the magnets) will recover metals as small as one millimetre, a capability unprecedented in the Southern Hemisphere.
The facility boosts Tasmania’s environmental sustainability by reducing the number of valuable metals that end up in landfills, while producing a non-hazardous floc from the shredder which can be safely disposed of in standard landfill.
Brett Rowe, Recycal State Manager (Tasmania), says the investment aligns with, and surpasses, global best practices, enabling Recycal to efficiently process all unprocessed scrap metals and e-waste generated in Tasmania.
“Over the past 50 years, commodity prices have declined to such an extent that, for about seven of those years, recycling unprocessed scrap was uneconomical, leading to its disposal in landfills across the island,” Brett says. “With a heavy-duty shredder now in place at the Recycal Rocherlea yard this will never need to happen again. All the unprocessed scrap generated in Tasmania can be shredded here in Tasmania, by local staff.
“Handling and being responsible for what is generated on the island, and not having to export it to Third World countries or the mainland, is a great result for Tasmania –environmentally, economically, and financially – with the flow-on effect of downstream jobs.”
He says government funding is recognition of the benefits of having a shredder in Tasmania, which will save millions annually in freight equalisation subsidies. Additionally, it generates about one million dollars a year for local landfills and contributes hundreds of thousands of dollars in waste levies which are reinvested into local recycling projects in Tasmania.
The shredder produces a clean, dense, suitably sized “green recycled steel” for Recycal’s sister company, Castings Tasmania, which melts it down to create various castings for both Tasmanian and mainland industries.
Brett says this closed-loop system ensures that valuable materials are continually repurposed, reducing the environmental footprint, and allows Recycal to help clients achieve their decarbonisation goals.
“Recycal has the capability to handle any scrap metal arising, ensuring maximum recovery rates and high-quality end products,” he says.
“This focus on precision and efficiency not only maximises client returns, but also minimises the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, underscoring Recycal’s commitment to environmental sustainability.”
Environmental stewardship
Reusing recycled scrap metal and diverting metal-rich unprocessed waste from landfills aligns with the principles of a circular economy, where materials are continually reused and recycled.
Brett says recovering critical minerals and metals via urban mining and recycling them into green metals with clean hydro and renewable energy is a truly amazing Tasmanian success story.
He says that as Australia transitions to a circular economy, Recycal is well positioned to play its role and help reduce reliance on virgin materials. Backed by a team of experienced professionals, Recycal Tasmania has refined and expanded its recycling services to align with evolving industry requirements.
Castings Tasmania boasts a rich history dating back to 1834 and is an icon of the Tasmanian landscape. In 2019, Recycal assumed operational control of the foundry, and with a $10 million investment is revitalising it into a modern, efficient, and sustainable enterprise.
Currently employing about 100 staff, Castings Tasmania is leading investments aimed at modernising the foundry, ensuring it can compete, but more importantly stand out, with quality, on-time Australian-made green castings from local recycled steel scrap.
The company processes copper PVC cable offcuts to recover the pure copper, which is then transformed into copper granules. These granules are used by another sister company, ACL Metal Powders, in Tasmania, where they are melted down to make a fine sintered powder which is exported globally.
Recycal Tasmania also offers demolition services tailored to meet the demands of large-scale projects rich in metal content. And it specialises in the recycling of printed circuit board-free transformers, managing the entire removal process both on-site and off-site while meeting the highest environmental standards.
Sister company Ecocycle specialises in recycling mercury, working closely with Recycal to tackle even the most challenging recycling tasks.
Ecocycle is Australasia’s foremost mercury and silver recovery and recycling enterprise, with operations spanning every state. It is the only company in Australia fully licensed by environmental protection agencies to handle and recycle mercury-containing waste.
Silver from x-rays, silver and mercury from oil and gas industries, dental amalgam, and button cell batteries are all recycled, and the metals recovered for reuse.
Mercury is required to be retired from early 2025 and Ecocycle is installing a new plant into its Kwinana Beach facility to turn elementary mercury into mercury sulphide.
Brett says this intricate, vertically integrated network of recycling and repurposing ensures that metals are efficiently reused.
Cutting-edge facilities
Recycal’s facilities are among the most advanced in the industry, boasting an array of processing equipment, including state-of-the-art shredders and non-ferrous sorting and separation plants.
The company’s commitment to excellence extends to its infrastructure and professional image, evident in the upkeep of its sites, where you’ll find large-landscaped areas, water features, and meticulously cleaned yards and vehicles.
Fully concreted yards comprise stormwater pits with removable grates, triple inceptor pits, with cyclonic HumeCeptor Units that polish the storm water before it leaves the site.
“State-of-the-art concreted facilities not only attract top-tier employees but also enhance equipment longevity, ensure safer operations, and maintain cleanliness,” Brett says.
“Muddy, dirt-based recycling yards contaminate the ground, are unsafe, create environmental challenges, and leave a trail of dirt and dust when trucks leave sites. This just doesn’t work for Recycal.
“The importance of a professional image is paramount, reflecting a commitment to both clients and the environment.”
Recycal sites are equipped with Artificial Intelligence camera technology that detect size, shape, type, movement and any rise in temperature, enhancing the management of security, fire prevention, and overall safety.
Yards are also equipped with hydrants and fire hose reels. The Rocherlea site boasts more than 20 hydrant outlets strategically positioned around the premises with water cannons placed in higher risk areas.
These features not only enhance operational efficiency but also ensure that Recycal’s processes are environmentally friendly and safe.
“Fire safety, prevention and responsibility are important to the group and this new technology helps us achieve these goals with early detection and 24/7 monitoring,” Brett says.
He says the company’s commitment to safety is unparalleled, complying to the highest standards and incorporating rigorous training for all employees.
Since 2016, the group has adhered to the ISO management system and proudly holds ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 accreditations. The team is currently working to obtain R2 accreditation.
“Recycal’s management team is steadfast in their pursuit of pioneering recycling methodologies, striving to enhance their corporate clients’ experience while giving them the comfort they need in environmental excellence,” Brett says.
“This ethos of continuous improvement and forward-thinking has earned Recycal recognition from clients and solidified our position as Australia’s most progressive metal recycling entity.
“This relentless pursuit of excellence ensures that Recycal remains at the cutting edge of the recycling industry.”
Vision for the future
As Recycal leads the charge in sustainable metal recycling, Brett says its positive impact on Tasmania and beyond is undeniable. He says that by embracing innovation, fostering community engagement, and championing environmental sustainability, Recycal exemplifies what it means to be a responsible and forward-thinking enterprise in the modern age.
“The Honourable Pam Allan, Chair of the Tasmanian Waste and Resource Board, envisions Tasmania as a place where nothing is wasted,” Brett says. “Recycal is at the forefront of making this vision a reality, dedicating itself to creating a cleaner, greener Tasmania.”
However, its ambition extends beyond the borders of Tasmania. Recycal is equally committed to fostering a sustainable future for all Australians, ensuring that valuable resources are recovered and repurposed efficiently.
By investing in cutting-edge recycling technologies and facilities, Recycal aims to set new standards for sustainability and efficiency in the recycling industry nationwide.
“By leading the charge in sustainable metal recycling, Recycal is not only protecting the environment but also paving the way for a more sustainable future across Australia,” Brett says.
“Nationwide efforts in recycling and resource recovery are crucial in reducing landfill waste, conserving natural resources, and mitigating environmental impact.”
For more information, visit: www.recycal.net