In a world increasingly conscious of environmental sustainability, Recycal is a family-owned enterprise that is rooted in the metals recycling industry. It offers services that not only address environmental concerns but also contributes to the local community. Through its recycling programs, advanced facilities, and commitment to corporate social responsibility, Recycal is making an impact on both the environment and society.
Recycal has invested $29 million in its Rocherlea plant, including approximately $2 million in federal government funding, to ensure Tasmanians are not disadvantaged and have a heavy-duty shredder to meet the critical needs of the island state.
This investment allows Recycal to process all unprocessed scrap metals generated in Tasmania and all types
of e-waste.
Recycal’s investment in advanced processing capabilities ensures that even challenging materials can be efficiently recycled. The company’s forthcoming $23 million floc processing plant will recover metals as small as 1mm. This facility not only boosts Tasmania’s environmental sustainability but also reduces the quantity of valuable metals that end up in landfills.
A legacy of excellence
The Rowe family’s involvement in the recycling industry dates back to 1990 with the establishment of Southern Rocycling. This business laid the foundation for what would become Recycal, a company reborn in 2012 with a mission to revive the legacy of superior service. Drawing on decades of experience and knowledge, Recycal rekindled relationships with past clients and expanded its customer base.
Recycal has an array of processing equipment, including state-of-the-art shredders and non-ferrous sorting and separation plants. This capability enables Recycal to handle most scrap metals with precision and expertise, ensuring maximum recovery rates and high-quality end products. This focus on precision and efficiency not only maximises client returns but also minimises the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.
Cutting-edge facilities
Recycal’s infrastructure includes concreted yards with stormwater pits that have removable grates, triple inceptor pits, and with cyclonic HumeCeptor units filtering the storm water before it finally leaves site. At Recycal, muddy, disorganised sites are not acceptable. State-of-the-art concreted facilities not only attract top-tier employees but also enhance equipment longevity, ensure safer operations, and maintain cleanliness by preventing dirt and mud trails when trucks depart the site. Its sites are equipped with AI camera technology that detect any rise in temperature, enhancing the management of security, fire prevention, and overall safety.
Its yards are also equipped with fire hose reels, and the Rocherlea site has more than 20 hydrant outlets strategically positioned around the premises. These features not only enhance operational efficiency but also ensure that Recycal’s processes are environmentally friendly and safe.
The company’s commitment to maintaining a professional presentation is evident in the upkeep of their sites. Large landscaped areas, water features, and clean yards and vehicles reflect Recycal’s dedication to excellence. This attention to detail sets a benchmark in an industry where a “she’ll be right” attitude often prevails. At Recycal, its professional image is paramount, reflecting its commitment to both its clients and the environment.
New shredder
Over the past 50 years, commodity prices have declined to such an extent that, for approximately seven of those years, recycling unprocessed scrap was uneconomical, leading to its disposal in landfills. However, with the shredder
now in place at Recycal’s Rocherlea yard, this need never happen again.
The shredder produces a clean, dense, suitably sized “green recycled steel” for its sister company, Castings Tasmania, which melts it down to create various castings for both Tasmanian and mainland industries. This closed-loop system ensures that valuable materials are continually repurposed, reducing the environmental footprint, and allows Recycal to help its clients achieve their decarbonisation goals.
Environmental stewardship
At the heart of Recycal’s operations is a commitment to environmental sustainability. By reusing and remelting recycled scrap metal and diverting metal-rich unprocessed waste from landfills, Recycal contributes to reducing the need for mining, conserving energy, and minimising landfill usage. Its efforts align with the principles of a circular economy, where materials are continually reused and recycled, minimising waste and environmental impact.
Recycal also processes copper PVC cable offcuts to recover the pure copper, which is 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 that is exported globally. This intricate, vertically integrated network of recycling and repurposing, ensures that metals are efficiently reused, highlighting Recycal’s role in reducing waste and promoting sustainability.
Recycal also offers demolition services tailored to meet the demands of large-scale projects rich in metal content. Backed by a team of experienced professionals, Recycal Tasmania has refined and expanded its recycling services to align with evolving industry requirements. Its good safety record and commitment to returning sites to clients in pristine condition have been instrumental in driving its success.
The company’s array of equipment – ranging from mobile shears to large material handlers, complemented by a fully equipped fleet of heavy vehicles and bins – enables it to efficiently handle virtually any metal-rich demolition project. This infrastructure ensures that Recycal can meet the needs of diverse projects with precision and proficiency.
It also specialises in the recycling of transformers, managing the removal process both on-site and off-site. Its eco-friendly processes ensure that all contaminants are safely contained, meeting the highest environmental standards. Safety is a top priority, and Recycal adheres to Australian standards, ensuring their clients undertake testing to prove it’s PCB free. Its sister company, Ecocycle, specialises in recycling mercury, working closely with Recycal to tackle challenging recycling tasks.
Ecocycle
Recycal’s sister company, Ecocycle, is a mercury and silver recovery and recycling enterprise. With operations spanning every state, Ecocycle is fully licensed by Environmental Protection Agencies for the handling and recycling of 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. Mercury is required to be retired from early 2025 and Ecocycle is putting a new plant into its Kwinana Beach facility to turn elementary mercury into mercury sulphide.
Castings Tasmania, another sister company, has a history dating back to its establishment in 1834, an icon of the Tasmania landscape. In 2019, Recycal assumed full operational control of the foundry, and with a $10 million investment is revitalising it into a modern, efficient, and sustainable enterprise. Currently employing approximately 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.
Championing the circular economy
Recycal is an advocate of the circular economy, where materials are continually reused and recycled, minimising waste and environmental impact. Metal recycling plays a pivotal role in closing the loop within the production cycle, curbing landfill waste, and minimising the demand for primary raw materials and critical minerals.
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.
Safety and Innovation
Recycal adheres to the highest safety standards, with rigorous training for all employees and the use of protective gear to ensure safe operations. Since 2016, the group has adhered to the ISO management system and holds ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 accreditations, and is currently working on obtaining its R2 accreditation. These certifications underscore its dedication to excellence in safety and environmental management.
Innovation is a cornerstone of Recycal’s operations. The company has invested more than $20 million in research and development since 2012, leading to groundbreaking projects that divert thousands of tonnes of waste from landfills. Recycal’s management team is steadfast in its pursuit of pioneering recycling methodologies, striving to enhance its corporate clients experience while giving them the comfort they need in environmental excellence.
This ethos of continuous improvement and forward-thinking has earned Recycal recognition from their clients. This pursuit of excellence ensures that it remains at the cutting edge of the recycling industry.
A vision for the future
Recycal’s vision for the future is one of continued growth and innovation. The company is committed to expanding its reach and impact not only in Tasmania but across Australia. By investing in recycling technologies and facilities, Recycal aims to set new standards for sustainability and efficiency in the recycling industry nationwide.
The Honourable Pam Allan, Chair of the Tasmanian Waste and Resource Board, envisions Tasmania as “a place where nothing is wasted”. 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 throughout the country.
Recycal’s nationwide efforts in recycling and resource recovery are crucial in reducing landfill waste, conserving natural resources, and mitigating environmental impact.