Car-compressing unit for N.Z.

Press, 23 February 1980, Page 1

Car-compressing unit for N.Z.

Unwanted used car bodies should soon be a thing of the' past in Christchurch with the purchase of New Zealand’s first car-compressing and shredding unit only months away.

Pacific Metals Industries, Ltd, the Auck-land-based firm setting up die venture, has closed tenders for the machines. Pacific Metals is a subsidiary of Pacific Steel, Ltd. u . Late last year the firm received approval for the scheme from’ the Minister of Trade and Industries (Mr Adams-Schneider). The Christchurch branch of the- Motor-Vehicle Wreckers’ Association, welcomes the scheme. “It is long overdue,” said the branch’s secretary (Mr R. W. McPhail), “It ■has been a terrible waste importing scrap steel from overseas for remelting when motor bodies and chassis have been going to dumps at a cost of $5 to $lO a body." Christchurch local bodies responsible for the disposing of abandoned cars support! the scheme in principle as a conservation measure. “Recycling is something any local body must be keen on,” said the Waimairi County Engineer (Mr A. J. Lamb). “I am sure local authorities would support it.” Christchurch local authorities ar 1 car wreckers

have not yet been officially approached by Pacific Metals. They will only be approached when the firm has drafted policy details. . ■ Car wreckers in Christchurch estimate that about 70 car bodies are sent to Christchurch dumps each week from the city’s 35 car wreckers after they have been stripped of saleable items. It is estimated that about 30 cars a week are dumped by private firms and individuals. The Christchurch City Council and the Waimairi. County Council say their dumps take about 270 car bodies a year., Commercial dumps-are thought to take most of the balance.

The assistant manager of Pacific Metals (Mr J. PittStanley) said from Auckland that the plant would cost about $3 million to

buy and install,, and'would begin national operations immediately. Car bodies would have to be stockpiled at pick-up‘.points. “We cannot go and pick up 50 from here and 50 from there,” he said.

The compactor would travel on circuit round New Zealand compressing stockpiles of used car bodies and other bulky items of scrap steel for transport. to Auckland for shredding. The shredder would divide the scrap into suitable sizes for remelting. r -■ ’’ A Christchurch local authority spokesman said the cost of transporting the flattened car bodies to Auckland would test the viability of the scheme, particularly because present regulations limit the amount of scrap steel in the remelting process.