Title: [GreenYes] Re: Scrap/metal records management software?
Preventing theft would be ideal, but it's easy precisely because scrap
metal is anonymous. Our reuse business prepares many categories of
metals in small batches that we take to the scrap dealer. We take
unreusable but still identifiable metal objects and break them into
components, both for easier handling and to separate unlike metals.
That's how we maximize income. But once something is dismantled, we
end up with a 35-gallon can of, say, aluminum window frames or
stripped copper wire. I can't imagine marking the pieces with a
barcode sticker or some other device that would need to be hand-
applied and then individually scanned at the scrap yard. We've
considered spray paint of some particular color, but how's a scrap
dealer to know whose paint is whose? In the end we protected our
processing area with video cameras and razorwire.
For recordkeeping, California is about to require scrap dealers to
issue checks and record State-issued photo IDs for any purchase of $50
or more. Maybe that will be a deterrent. About fifteen years ago my
company implemented an ID requirement for anybody we bought anything
from. A whole population of supplier dropped away, and we said good
riddance. If there's anything a thief doesn't want, it's somebody
recording their ID.
Mary Lou Van Deventer
Urban Ore
Berkeley, CA
On Jul 23, 2008, at 3:24 AM, M.Simons wrote:
>
>
> Greetings,
>
> As we probably all know, metal theft is on the rise due to
> increasing scrap/commodity values. In my neck of the woods this is
> certainly the case, and while it's on the books that scrap yards are
> supposed to keep good records here, they clearly don't.. so I am
> planning on engaging a number of folks in our government about
> enforcing these rules. I would like to be able to suggest a few
> different options and packages (i.e. software, ID scanner solutions,
> materials records keeping, etc.) for them to look at as a way to help
> reduce theft by reducing the ease of selling the stolen property.. so
> I'm interested in any suggestions you may have.
>
> Referrals to or correspondance from industry associations that
> regularly deal with these topics are also welcome.
>
> thanks
>
> --
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