Recycling centres contain many valuable materials on-site which makes them a serious target for theft, when they are left vulnerable. With the price of scrap metals trending upwards, and criminals becoming more brazen in their attempts to steal – what is the best solution to keep recycling facilities secure?
Valuable recycling materials are at serious risk.
Recycling facilities are important properties for individuals and the wider economy – reusing materials so waste can be minimized and repurposed for different industries, as well as providing a point of sale for legitimate recyclers to sell their materials for a profit that supports their livelihoods. However, materials found on recycling sites are targeted for their high resale value, and the ease of which criminals can trespass on-site and commit further crimes.
The prices of various types of scrap materials has only increased in the last few years, leading thieves to target these valuable materials even more so than before. The types of recycling materials that are being stolen covers a wide range from scrap metal, to precious metals within catalytic converters, copper wiring, and more.
Over a ten year period, the price of precious metals such as copper has steadily increased, from $3.20 a pound, and reaching its peak in 2022 at a price of $4.72 – a staggering 47.5% increase (1). The price of aluminum has seen a similar surge, increasing an astounding 124% over the same period (2). In 2022, the entire recycled metal market was valued at $1.07 billion USD, and it is expected to grow by an additional 5.6% by 2030 (3) . The growth of the recycled metal industry is due in part to the fact that metals can be recycled many times over without any change in their characteristics, and with a growing call for businesses to be eco-friendly and sustainable, recycled metals have never played a more important role in the means of production.
Recycling thieves are well aware of the high value of these precious metals, and they will stop at nothing to gain access to them. In August 2023, two suspects entered onto a private commercial recycling facility in French River, ON and proceeded to steal a large supply of scrap metal. The suspects parked at the main gate of the property, damaged the entrance, and made off with the stolen metal. The owners of the property were left with a broken gate and property in need of costly repair, a loss of precious materials that could have increased revenue, and the Police subsequently launched an investigation into the incident that may or may not end in the apprehension of suspects (4). Some recycling facilities have taken notice of this trend and started to increase their security presence; in Windsor, ON, property owners have installed recycling security camera solutions on-site and erecting barbed wire fencing to fight back against scrap metal thieves. Every additional measure that helps defend recycling properties against theft is an improvement, but more can certainly be done. (5)
Legislators are working to curb recycling theft.
Several provincial governments across Canada have passed, or will soon pass, legislation to help curb scrap metal thefts, and assist business owners in the recycling industry. In 2021, the Manitoba government outlined new regulations that scrap metal dealers would be required to obtain or record identifying information about scrap metal sellers and their transactions, and keep that info on file for a minimum of two years. The goal of this legislation was to increase accountability and create barriers to thieves who are stealing scrap metal for a quick buck. (6)
Similar legislation has been passed in Saskatchewan, with extra protections included in their legislation for rural property owners who have been disproportionally affected by recycling theft, as rural and remote properties are harder to protect from those seeking to steal valuable materials (7). In 2012, the British Columbia provincial government passed the Metal Dealers and Recyclers Act to increase identity verification of scrap metal sellers, and also provide protocols for the sale and re-sale of metal.
The original intent of the law was to regulate how dealers purchase metal and also discourage thieves from stealing metal from utilities and municipalities. Mike Morris, a member of the Legislative Assembly for the Prince George-Mackenzie region, said that “despite the implementation of these new laws, there are issues involved that are preventing the law from being properly enforced. These issues mainly center on which governing bodies, such as the Security Programs Division and the RCMP, are responsible for tracking and keeping records of scrap metal sales and which ones are responsible for actually enforcing the laws. The lack of clarity on this issue has meant that recycling thieves are still able to operate with a high level of impunity.” With these new laws only able to do so much, another solution is surely needed to prevent recycling theft. (8)
The call for increased security for recycling facilities.
Many within recycling and security industries believe that more can be done to make recycling materials harder for thieves to access. At the 2023 ISRI (Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries) convention in April, many constituents spoke as to why thieves target recycling facilities: the high reward of stealing materials, the availability and ease of access of the target, and their potential for success without being detected. All agreed that in order to secure these valuable materials, recycling facilities must increase the effort needed to steal from them, including the implementation of layered security. This includes establishing protection around the site perimeter, as well as securing yards and exterior areas that are easier to access from outside the compound. (9)
In addition to these initial measures, proactive security is the next step in ensuring valuable materials stay where they belong at recycling facilities.
How can proactive security reduce the risk of recycling theft?
Deterrence Signage warns trespassers
Proactive security is layered security, and the first layer and line of defense is deterrence signage – informing trespassers and potential thieves that the area is Live Monitored, off limits, and that those found in contravention will be prosecuted. Our deterrence signage is placed on exterior fences around the perimeter to ensure trespassers get the message before they attempt to take a step onto the property.
Video Security Units create a wireless security network
Our Video Security Units are ready to cover the site perimeter to provide boundary coverage and situational awareness to protect recycling facilities.
We utilize powerful cameras that come packed with everything needed for site protection – stationary cameras are set up to cover a fixed area and position, and PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) cameras are able to zoom in and capture high-resolution footage and court-quality evidence. Each Video Security Unit transmits high-quality video back to our UL Certified Monitoring Centre by leveraging our proprietary and ground-breaking cellular LTE+ platform. Our platform allows for a completely wireless and modular solution that eliminates the need to run Ethernet cables throughout a recycling site, which allows for an expeditious and cost-effective installation.
Artificial Intelligence provides instantaneous detection
Our proprietary artificial intelligence platform is optimized to detect trespassers and potential criminals, differentiating them from other movement on-site. This allows our Monitoring team to focus on important, crucial details and assess the situation at hand. AI will detect potential criminals as soon as they approach the perimeter and fence line, and will continue to track their movement, as our Monitoring team lead the charge in securing your recycling property.
Live Remote Video Monitoring keeps an eagle eye
Deterring crime before it happens is our primary mission – and our expert Live Remote Video Monitoring team leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of site protection. They utilize active visual and audio deterrents to warn criminals that the site is off-limits – including bright, LED strobe lights and authoritative voice commands. If criminals continue to target recycling materials, Police will be alerted and dispatched to the scene to apprehend the suspects, if necessary.
syncroDetect provides additional protection
Our wireless intrusion alarm system, syncroDetect, is helpful in providing extra protection on recycling sites – placed in storage areas, sea-cans and other areas that contain high value materials. Door and window contact sensors work in tandem with wireless motion sensors to create a full envelope of protection.
License Plate Reader & syncroPlates track license plates
Tracking vehicles at entrance and entry points is key to recycling site security. Our License Plate Reader cameras are made specifically to track and record the alphanumerical values on license plates, and that data is then stored within our own database, syncroPlates. This platform is extremely beneficial for site management – allowing you to track and maintain a database of visitors who come and go with high frequency on recycling sites. If a vehicle is deemed suspicious, it can be blacklisted and blocked from access to the site.
syncroReports provides full transparency
Our very own reporting platform, syncroReports, provides complete transparency for recycling property owners. Through syncroReports, you are given full access to your site security metrics and can keep up to date with every occurrence on your property. By logging in, you can view Live Video Feeds, access and control the PTZ cameras on-site, review detailed Log Reports, and much more. Through syncroReports, we create a trusting collaboration that ultimately benefits you and your property.
Scrap metals and other valuable materials found on recycling properties are targets for thieves looking to sell these materials for a profit. By employing proactive security on recycling properties, you can rest assured your facility is safeguarded with an effective solution that will ultimately protect your bottom line.
Resources:
- “Copper Price Summary”, Trading Economics, N/A, N/A
- “Aluminum Price Summary”, Trading Economics, N/A/N/A
- “Recycled Metal Market Size & Trends”, Grandview Research, N/A, N/A
- “Ontario Provincial Police looking for scrap metal thieves”, Sudbury.com, August 22, 2023
- “Windsor companies are installing cameras and barbed wire to stop scrap metal thieves”, Dale Molnar, CBC News, March 22, 2023
- “Manitoba introduces legislation aimed at deterring scrap metal theft”, Katrina Enano, Canadian Lawyer, December 10, 2021
- “Saskatchewan government targets scrap metal theft with new legislation”, CBC News, December 9, 2020
- “B.C. criminals continue to cash in on metal theft”, Ted Clarke, North Shore News, October 6, 2023
- “ISRI2023: ‘Think like a crook’ to keep valuable materials safe”, Chris Voloschuk, Recycling Today, April 27, 2023