Top Dollar Metal Recyclers

21/11/2024

Arriving at Top Dollar Scrap Metal Villawood
I pull up just inside the front gate and I look around, it looks like a busy place, but I am almost immediately engaged by a person in high-vis gear who looks like he is motioning like he wants me to drive onto what I assume is some kind of weighbridge.

"Hi .. how can we help you today ?"
I am summoned to the opposite end and when I stop, I am shown a display that is clearly visible that appears to be the weight of my vehicle. I am greeted with “Hi, my name is Joe, how can we help you today?”, and I tell Joe that I have a few different bits of metal that I would like to sell. Joe says, “that is your gross weight on that display there we will weigh you again after we have finished and the difference will be what you leave here, feel free to take a photo with your phone if you like, I have written it down anyway”. As I look at the weighbridge display monitor, I notice that adjacent there is a certificate that shows that the weighbridge is officially trade certified by Newcastle Weighing Services and this reinforces to me that I have come to the right place and that everything is done above board.

Joe instructs me to drive forwards, off the weighbridge where he looks at the items I have brought into the yard. He explains that there are a couple of items in my load which are not accepted at this facility and that I must not leave them here. These items include a BBQ gas bottle and an exhaust system that is wrapped in an asbestos type of material. I am shown a list of the items that are not able to be scrapped that is posted near the office and am advised that these items are more suited to be taken to a waste recycling facility that specialises in disposing of these items.

Next, I am shown where the steel tipping yard is and am helped to reverse into the designated spot. I am assisted to lift out one item that is too heavy for me to lift on my own and am then left to unload the remainder of my steel products. I am told that if I save a few items (a screen door, some electrical wiring and a length of copper pipe) to take to the non-ferrous area that these items will be weighed separately as they are worth significantly more money than the steel. I am also reminded of the unacceptable items to offload.

A few minutes later I have offloaded the scrap that is to be tipped at this area and I am instructed to drive back onto the weighbridge for a second time. The weight of my steel is calculated, and I am shown the way to the area where the more valuable metal will be weighed.

Off-loading and Payment
I am helped to unload the copper, aluminium, and electrical wires. I am told that the best way to get the most amount of money for my scrap metal is to have everything separated into individual categories and I am offered a tip about stripping the copper wire if I decide I will do it. While we have this discussion the helpful attendant enters my drivers license details into the database as well as my bank account details. The operator asks me to confirm that everything on the screen is correct and when I confirm that it is he prints the ticket for me which shows everything I have delivered, the weights, individual values per kilo and grand total. I am told that the payment will be made asap and that I can expect to have the money in my account before close of business today.

I’ll be back
I am shown the way to the exit and as I leave, I am delighted to get a message from my bank advising that I have been paid. The entire process has been professional, transparent, and easy.

I’m a Top Dollar Customer now and I’ll be back with my next metal recycling load.

13/06/2022

How much is your scrap metal worth?
Short answer is “that depends”. Scrap metal is a diverse term that refers to any metal that is ready to be recycled into its next form. This could be because of end of the product's life, breakage, or straight replacement but regardless of the reason, all metals can be turned into new products very effectively.
The most common recycled metals are steel, cast iron, aluminium, copper, stainless steel, brass, lead and zinc. These metals each have sub-categories which reflect the quality of the item and its suitability and cost effectiveness to recycle. This in turn, as well as the quantity, determines the value of the product to the scrap metal merchant.
The first step in assessing the value is to work out what metal you have. If you want to simply identify a piece of scrap metal, you can do this by evaluating its magnetism, colour, weight and composition. Firstly, use a magnet because steel and cast iron are both magnetic whilst most other metals carry little or no magnetism. Steel and cast iron are also the most recycled metals and are very close in value. Up to date pricing can be found either via a merchant’s website or by calling in with your enquiry.
If your metal is not magnetic it could be something of much greater value, so the next step is to consider the colour. If the metal has a reddish tint to it that is relatively shiny, the metal is most likely copper. When copper is exposed to the elements, it turns green. Look for any signs of yellow coloring on the metal. Copper and brass can often be confused with each other. Remember that copper is mostly red and brass is mostly yellow. Also, most tap fittings and other similar gas or water castings are made from brass. Insulated copper cables are another very common item and the value of this product is determined by the percentage of copper to pvc insulation with obviously the higher the copper content, the higher the value.
Look for signs of greyish or silvery colours with metals that are softer and more flexible than other metals. If you see these characteristics, you may have aluminum. Whilst similar in colour to steel, aluminium has a lower specific gravity than steel and therefore seems lighter in weight and is of course, non-magnetic. Aluminium is commonly used for items such as window frames, alloy wheels, auto parts and even your ill named “tinny”.
Stainless steel can be worth up to ten times more if it is non-magnetic and is easily identified from steel by it’s semi-mirrored appearance. Often used for sinks and handrails, this metal does not rust and is one of the most durable on the market.
Lead is a relatively heavy material that is soft and pliable. Most suited to fishing sinkers and plumbing flashing, this metal is also used very effectively as a radiation shield in the medical field.
Tune in over the next few weeks as we drill down into the more specific subcategories of these items and provide upgrading tips and tricks to maximize the value of your scrap metal loads.
Keep scrapping

01/06/2022

Here’s Why
The concept of recycling has been around for centuries, but it has evolved with the evolution and expectations of modern society. People started reusing their possessions long ago due to the shortage of resources and space, but also for economic reasons and, in recent years, for the benefit of the environment.
Metal recycling offers numerous benefits for both the economy and the environment. By scrapping old metal items, everyone plays a part in making the world a better and more eco-sustainable place. Here at Top Dollar, we believe there are 5 key reasons why you should recycle scrap metal. Please let us know if you have anything to add.

1. Preserve Our Planet
The first and most important reason is that metal recycling preserves natural resources by reducing the need to extract virgin raw materials and, as such, is effectively fighting climate change. Recycling scrap metal allows us to use less energy, which also means less greenhouse gas emissions. According to the EPA, “recycling steel and aluminium cans saves between 60 and 74 percent of the energy used to produce them from raw materials” and “recycling one aluminium beverage can save enough energy to run a 14-watt LED bulb (60 watt incandescent equivalent) for 20 hours, a computer for 3 hours, or a 48 inch smart TV for 2 hours”
2. Create and Support Job Opportunities
Scrap metal recycling is a labour-intensive industry. Recycling creates new jobs and supports other jobs by suppling related industries with goods and services such as equipment, expertise, transport, and labour.
3. Support Manufacturing
By collecting and recycling scrap metal Top Dollar transforms waste into new resources that are reintroduced into production and manufactured into new products.
4. Save and Earn Money
Recycled materials are a cheaper and easier source for manufacturers and producers. By using recycled material in the production of metal goods both the costs of mining for virgin raw materials and the cost of production are reduced because producing goods from recycled sources is less energy intensive. Moreover, by selling scrap metal, derived from a manufacturing process to a scrap metal recycler like Top Dollar, a company can profit from its own waste. Not just manufacturers, but any company and even the general public that owns scrap metal waste (such as steel, copper or aluminium, antiquated machinery, jobsite scrap, and much more) can sell it to a scrap metal dealer and earn money!

5. Help Reach Your Company’s Sustainability Goals
Metal recycling helps companies satisfy the recycling industry standards and meet the sustainable development goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a “universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity”.

Scrap metal recyclers play a vital role in the recycling industry and in the circular economy. By collecting, sorting, recycling and shipping recycled products all over the world, we ensure the creation of new goods in the most sustainable way possible. We can’t make it happen without your help. Recycle your scrap metal to create a world without waste to and help preserve our planet.

23/05/2022

If our brain was so simple we could understand it, we'd be so simple we wouldn't.

21/05/2022

Updated long overdue prices
Stripped Copper Wire $11.50
Copper Pipe $11.30
Insulated Copper Wire $3 - $7
Aluminium Litho Plates $2.50
Stainless Steel $2.20
70/30 Brass $7.00
Steel $250 - $450 / tonne
Enquiries welcome 9153 5288

19/05/2022

10/05/2022

The brand new Zato shredder installed at Top Dollar Metal Recyclers

26/11/2020

Best Prices In 10 Years
Stripped Copper Wire $8.20 per kg
No 1 Copper $8.00 per kg
Brass $5.00 per kg
Insulated Copper Wire $2.50 - $4.50
Aluminium Extrusions $1.60 per kg
Stainless Steel 316 $2.00 per kg
Scrap Steel up to $270.00 per tonne

09/11/2020

Hi guys. New prices available on our offers page. Hope this helps.

08/09/2020

Full panoview. The boys at work.

08/09/2020

Finally its's all happening here at Top Dollar Villawood. Great work everyone.