Maddy Gupta: Cashing in on scrap metal? Don’t pull it apart yourself

As rising metal values encourage more Australians to hunt for copper, aluminium and steel, Manhari Recycling CEO Maddy Gupta warned that DIY stripping of machinery and equipment can expose people to serious hidden dangers
 

Australians looking to cash in on valuable scrap metal are being warned not to dismantle machinery, appliances and equipment themselves, with recycling expert Maddy Gupta concerned more people are taking unnecessary risks trying to extract valuable metals.
 

The founder and CEO of Manhari Recycling said his team is seeing more people bringing in metal they have stripped from machinery and equipment themselves.
 

With copper, aluminium, steel and other metals holding significant value, Maddy Gupta understands why people are looking through sheds, factories, farms, warehouses and backyards for unwanted equipment they can turn into cash.
 

However he warned there is one thing they should not do.
 

"Don't start pulling it apart yourself. Bring it to us and let us take care of the rest," Maddy Gupta said.
 

"We'll assess it, work out what recyclable metal is there and what it is worth.  You don't need to attack machinery with a grinder just to find out whether there's valuable copper or aluminium inside.
 

"A few extra dollars of scrap is not worth losing a finger, damaging your eyesight or ending up in hospital."
 

What you can't see can hurt you
 

Maddy Gupta said the danger with old machinery and equipment is that people often have no idea what is hiding underneath the casing.
 

Depending on the equipment, potential hazards can include stored electrical energy, batteries, pressurised components, refrigerants, oils, heavy moving parts, sharp metal and components under tension.
 

"You might see an old metal box and think, 'I'll cut it open and get the copper out,'" Maddy Gupta said.
 

"But what's behind that panel?  Is it pressurised? Is there stored electrical energy? Is there a battery? Refrigerant? Oil? A spring under tension? Is a heavy component going to move when you remove the bolts?

"By the time you discover the danger, it can already be too late."
 

Your angle grinder doesn't make you a scrap-metal expert
 

Maddy Gupta said owning power tools does not mean somebody has the knowledge or equipment required to safely dismantle complex machinery.
 

"People are becoming more aware that scrap metal has value, which is fantastic, but I don't want that turning into people setting up makeshift scrapyards in their garages and backyards," he said.
 

"Professional recyclers have equipment, trained people, procedures and safety precautions designed to deal with these materials.
 

"A garage floor and an angle grinder are not a recycling facility."
 

He said fridges, air conditioners, electrical equipment, battery-powered devices, industrial machinery and automotive components can be particularly problematic because they may contain hazards requiring specialised handling.
 

"If you don't know exactly what's inside something, don't cut into it to find out," he said.
 

The copper isn't worth your hand
 

Maddy Gupta said people can become so focused on extracting the most valuable parts that they lose sight of the relatively small financial gain compared with the potential consequences.
 

"Copper is valuable. Aluminium is valuable. Steel is valuable. We want Australians recycling these materials rather than throwing them away but none of it is worth hurting yourself over," Maddy Gupta said. 
 

"You don't have to dismantle everything and neatly separate every piece before bringing it to us.
 

"Bring the equipment in and we will look at it. We understand the different metals, we have the equipment to process them and we can work out what your scrap is worth.
 

"That is what we're here for."
 

Businesses warned against DIY stripping too
 

Maddy Gupta said the warning also applies to businesses, farms, factories and construction operators with obsolete machinery and equipment.
 

"Businesses can have thousands of dollars of unwanted metal sitting around without realising it," he said.
 

"Absolutely recover the value, but don't automatically hand someone a grinder and tell them to start pulling machinery apart.
 

"Someone might be an excellent farmer, warehouse worker, tradesperson or factory employee, but that doesn't mean they understand every potential hazard inside every piece of machinery.
 

"Turn your scrap into cash, not an injury."

If you don't know what's inside it, stop
 

Maddy Gupta said the simplest rule for Australians wanting to cash in on scrap is to avoid dismantling anything they do not fully understand.
 

"People don't know what they don't know. If you're looking at something thinking, 'I'm not sure what's inside this, but I'll cut it open and see,' that's your signal to stop," Maddy Gupta said. 
 

"Take a photo, contact a reputable recycler or bring the equipment in and let the experts deal with it.
 

"Metal is valuable and its value is encouraging more people to recognise the money sitting in their old equipment and machinery and that is a good thing. 
 

"Just don't risk your health trying to squeeze every last dollar out of it. Bring it to us, we'll take care of the rest and work out what the metal is worth."
 

About Manhari Recycling
 

Founded in 2007 by Maddy Gupta, Manhari Recycling is one of Victoria's largest and most trusted scrap metal recycling companies. With operations spanning nearly five hectares across Tottenham, Horsham and Ararat, Manhari processes over 250,000 metric tons of metal annually and exports to major manufacturing markets worldwide. The company offers comprehensive services including auto recycling, whitegoods disposal, construction scrap recovery and e-waste processing. Committed to innovation, sustainability and customer service, Manhari is evolving into a leader in circular economy solutions, helping industry and community reduce waste, recover value and build a cleaner, greener future for Victoria.
 

To get a free quote or book a pick-up, visit www.manhari.com.au