Metal Waste
Firstly, consider Conducting an Audit to get your facts straight.Then:
Reduce:
- Use numerically controlled cutting machines for cutting steel. This can reduce waste from off-cuts.
- Consider using continuous welding processes instead of manual electrodes.
- Consider material substitution and/ or coatings to reduce corrosion/ abrasion in the event of recurring failures.
- Would condition monitoring of the equipment detect wear and permit repair before failure?
- Consider re-design to eliminate recurring failures.
Reuse:
- Machine off-cuts into smaller items.
- Have burnt-out motors re-wound for a second life.
- Consider re-building worn or damaged parts if specifications permit. Hard surfacing or coatings will often extend the life of a re-built part.
- Reuse undamaged nuts, bolts and parts from scrapped assemblies, if specifications permit.
Recycle:
- Scrap metal dealers will purchase nearly all metal wastes (turnings, chips, fines, slugs, bar ends, pieces of machinery, etc) for recycling.
Make your aims as public as possible. Inform staff about your intentions and why. Offer further incentives to staff to show your appreciation for their efforts. But remember, "waste reduction is everybody's responsibility".
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