Scrap metal yard open day

The inside story of recycling scrap metal will be on show this month when Simsmetal opens up its St Marys' yard for a public information day.

On 25 February, Simsmetal will be open for a morning of information and fun, the first time the public has been invited inside the Simsmetal yard.

Simsmetal NSW through its nine locations across the state recycles over 380,000 scrap tonnes per annum.

An appearence by Ian Kiernan, Chairman of Clean Up Australia, will be combined with demonstrations from ambulance and fire brigade personnel that will highlight the importance of car bodies supplied to them from Simsmetal as a resource for doctor training. Electronics and metals displays will show the diversity of recycling activities undertaken by the company.

Commencing with a sausage sizzle for the first 500 people, the open day will provide an opportunity for members of the public to take short bus trips through the Simsmetal yard and to witness first hand the process of turning unwanted scrap metal into recycled metal pellets.

In the lead up to the annual Clean Up Australia on 5 March, Simsmetal will be demonstrating what actually happens to the scrap metal collected by volunteers. Already heavily involved in the Clean Up Australia campaign through provision of collection bins, Simsmetal NSW General Manager Jason Whitaker wants to further increase the public's knowledge of the process of recycling the scrap metal collected.

"We want to inform members of the public about the process of recycling scrap metal and the many benefits recycling has for the community" said Whitaker, "We have been a part of the local St Marys community for quite some time and this event will give us the opportunity to show what happens at car shredding operations."

It has been estimated that, compared to manufacture from virgin materials, recycled steel:

• Uses 74% less energy
• Uses 40% less water
• Reduces air pollution by 86%
• Reduces water pollution by 76%

Simsmetal is located at 76 Christie Street, St Marys. Members of the public attending are required to wear closed in shoes.