Monday, December 29, 2003
Guess what else is in scrap autos??
I've written at length about recycling catalytic converters from scrap cars and trucks, and how many converters are actually getting recycled for their PGM values (about 40-50%!). So you're aware that there's a lot of precious metals going to the steel mills (both here and abroad) which finally convert the metallic values of scrap autos to new steel and other metal products.
What you're most likely NOT aware of are the many other components which go into the production of modern cars and trucks, some of which are among the most dangerous and virulent pollutants known to man. This article gives you a good idea of how small amounts of dangerous toxins get dispersed into the environment, where they impact us in ways you probably never considered. Truly scary stuff, and a good object lesson in why we have increasingly stringent environmental regulations.
Although I do not consider myself an environmentalist per se and my interest in recycling is primarily from a capitalistic viewpoint, I continue to be amazed and disturbed by the long-term consequences of the byproducts of modern society. So the next time you hear of more government regulation impacting you as a recycler, understand that there is a very good reason why these laws and regulations exist. And be proud that, even as a part-time recycler you are contributing to a cleaner and hopefully healthier world by encouraging the wise re-use of resources.
Blogged by: Scott D. Andrews
http://recyclebiz.com
(c)2003 - All Rights Reserved
What you're most likely NOT aware of are the many other components which go into the production of modern cars and trucks, some of which are among the most dangerous and virulent pollutants known to man. This article gives you a good idea of how small amounts of dangerous toxins get dispersed into the environment, where they impact us in ways you probably never considered. Truly scary stuff, and a good object lesson in why we have increasingly stringent environmental regulations.
Although I do not consider myself an environmentalist per se and my interest in recycling is primarily from a capitalistic viewpoint, I continue to be amazed and disturbed by the long-term consequences of the byproducts of modern society. So the next time you hear of more government regulation impacting you as a recycler, understand that there is a very good reason why these laws and regulations exist. And be proud that, even as a part-time recycler you are contributing to a cleaner and hopefully healthier world by encouraging the wise re-use of resources.
Blogged by: Scott D. Andrews
http://recyclebiz.com
(c)2003 - All Rights Reserved
Precious Metals Confiscation - Could it Happen Again?
This is a reprint of an original article published in "The Recycling Entrepreneur",
our free ezine for serious recyclers. To subscribe, send a
blank email to: recyclebiz@getresponse.com
One of the stories you will come across occasionally in
your recycling activities is the idea that the US government
will someday once again "confiscate" gold and possible silver.
To learn more about the basis for this contention, visit this
link and learn something you probably weren't aware of:
http://www.gold-eagle.com/gold_digest_02/stott022702.html
Although what FDR did in the 1930's could not actually be called
confiscation, the situation serves as an example of the typically
misguided actions of he government to interfere in economic
freedom of the populace.
The question is, could history repeat itself? Since President Nixon
reestablished the legality of gold ownership for US citizens, there
has been a constant marketing effort by coin dealers to sell you
on the fact that numismatic coins you might invest in are
exempt from government "confiscation".
But what is the likelihood of such a thing happening again? In
my opinion, the chances are extremely slim for a number of
reasons. Not the least of these is that it is just not practical or
necessary.
The efforts of the 'financial experts' to educate the public that
gold and silver are dead investments has been too successful.
The majority of people who buy precious metals as investments
these days are those who have a healthy distrust of
governments and their financial mismanagement.
But let me propose a possible scenario: that of rationing,
particularly of silver. The public has no idea of just how serious
the shortage of silver bullion is, nor how absolutley necessary
an industrial commodity it has become. Through serious
mismanagement which I've talked about in previous issues,
we may very well experience a time when the government
realizes the need to "nationalize" the stock of silver metal
in whatever form it may exist.
This scenario, while bordering on far side of
credibility, reveals what may become reality.
I am not saying that this is likely to happen, but some
form of severe governmental response to the impending
silver shortage is almost a given.
Those who already have an active market trading in
precious metals scrap are going to capitalize to a
major extent. Will that be you?
Blogged by: Scott D. Andrews
http://recyclebiz.com
(c)2003 - All Rights Reserved
our free ezine for serious recyclers. To subscribe, send a
blank email to: recyclebiz@getresponse.com
One of the stories you will come across occasionally in
your recycling activities is the idea that the US government
will someday once again "confiscate" gold and possible silver.
To learn more about the basis for this contention, visit this
link and learn something you probably weren't aware of:
http://www.gold-eagle.com/gold_digest_02/stott022702.html
Although what FDR did in the 1930's could not actually be called
confiscation, the situation serves as an example of the typically
misguided actions of he government to interfere in economic
freedom of the populace.
The question is, could history repeat itself? Since President Nixon
reestablished the legality of gold ownership for US citizens, there
has been a constant marketing effort by coin dealers to sell you
on the fact that numismatic coins you might invest in are
exempt from government "confiscation".
But what is the likelihood of such a thing happening again? In
my opinion, the chances are extremely slim for a number of
reasons. Not the least of these is that it is just not practical or
necessary.
The efforts of the 'financial experts' to educate the public that
gold and silver are dead investments has been too successful.
The majority of people who buy precious metals as investments
these days are those who have a healthy distrust of
governments and their financial mismanagement.
But let me propose a possible scenario: that of rationing,
particularly of silver. The public has no idea of just how serious
the shortage of silver bullion is, nor how absolutley necessary
an industrial commodity it has become. Through serious
mismanagement which I've talked about in previous issues,
we may very well experience a time when the government
realizes the need to "nationalize" the stock of silver metal
in whatever form it may exist.
This scenario, while bordering on far side of
credibility, reveals what may become reality.
I am not saying that this is likely to happen, but some
form of severe governmental response to the impending
silver shortage is almost a given.
Those who already have an active market trading in
precious metals scrap are going to capitalize to a
major extent. Will that be you?
Blogged by: Scott D. Andrews
http://recyclebiz.com
(c)2003 - All Rights Reserved
Still profit potential in catalytic converters? Japanese Firm Setting Up Platinum Recycling Operation in U.S.
Some of the good folks who invest in my manuals spend a few hours calling on local muffler shops, garages, service centers, and car dealers and report back to me that recycling catalytic converters is a mature business in which there are no longer any profits to be made.
Nothing could be further from the truth. It is estimated (by the federal government) that less than 50% of the available catalytic converters in this country are being recyled. Does this sound like a 'mature' market to you? And this figure is probably much higher in the US than in almost any other country in the world.
Take a look at this article and note what this company has been doing to date - refining catalyst shipped to them from the US! And a large portion of the catalyst that is recycled in the US ends up in refineries in South Africa. There are really only a handful of refineries in the world which can efficiently and profitably refine all the PGM's (platinum, palladium, and rhodium) found in your typical catalytic converter.
The reason they are moving into the US market is they know there is a LOT of untapped potential in this country - which means that there is still lots of profit potential for those willing to get out there and beat the bushes for every last converter going to waste - ending up in a scrap yard, landfill, or going to the auto shredder still attached to the car.
Recycling Today Online :: :: � Japanese Firm Setting Up Platinum Recycling Operation in U.S.
Nothing could be further from the truth. It is estimated (by the federal government) that less than 50% of the available catalytic converters in this country are being recyled. Does this sound like a 'mature' market to you? And this figure is probably much higher in the US than in almost any other country in the world.
Take a look at this article and note what this company has been doing to date - refining catalyst shipped to them from the US! And a large portion of the catalyst that is recycled in the US ends up in refineries in South Africa. There are really only a handful of refineries in the world which can efficiently and profitably refine all the PGM's (platinum, palladium, and rhodium) found in your typical catalytic converter.
The reason they are moving into the US market is they know there is a LOT of untapped potential in this country - which means that there is still lots of profit potential for those willing to get out there and beat the bushes for every last converter going to waste - ending up in a scrap yard, landfill, or going to the auto shredder still attached to the car.
Recycling Today Online :: :: � Japanese Firm Setting Up Platinum Recycling Operation in U.S.
Blogged by: Scott D. Andrews
http://recyclebiz.com
(c)2003 - All Rights Reserved
http://recyclebiz.com
(c)2003 - All Rights Reserved
Want to Make $158,000,000 Recycling Everyday Waste?
Here's a real eye-opener for those who think deposit laws are a viable way to reduce the waste problem and spur recycling. I don't know exactly how California consumers pay per bottle as a deposit, but with $158,000,000 worth of unrefunded deposits sitting in state coffers, do you think the real motivation is to recycle these items, or to collect a hidden tax on consumers?
I can just about guarantee that these unreclaimed funds are not going directly to cleaning up the waste or developing technologies to lessen the problem (like perhaps making the containers more biodegradable). Obviously, a few cents per bottle doesn't compensate people to go out of their way to recycle rather than landfill.
To those of us who are interested in making money by recycling anything, this article proves a powerful point. The biggest challenge to making good money in recycling is to develop an effective collection program. There is an incredible and growing supply of valuable scrap everywhere you go, but the mechanics and economics of collecting it require that you concentrate on high-value items and meterials, the kind you learn about in "High-Profit Recycling".
American Recycler
I can just about guarantee that these unreclaimed funds are not going directly to cleaning up the waste or developing technologies to lessen the problem (like perhaps making the containers more biodegradable). Obviously, a few cents per bottle doesn't compensate people to go out of their way to recycle rather than landfill.
To those of us who are interested in making money by recycling anything, this article proves a powerful point. The biggest challenge to making good money in recycling is to develop an effective collection program. There is an incredible and growing supply of valuable scrap everywhere you go, but the mechanics and economics of collecting it require that you concentrate on high-value items and meterials, the kind you learn about in "High-Profit Recycling".
American Recycler
