Scrap to Gold
Scrap to Gold began in 2001 and is an innovative and environmentally responsible program of recycling scrap metal to raise funds to support Western Australians living with severe and enduring mental illness. The program assists people with accommodation and support to grow their confidence and develop social and life skills through the St Vincent de Paul Society’s mental health service.
As a partner of the Scrap to Gold program your organisation can help us to:
- Save energy – producing steel from recycled materials compared with virgin material saves 75% of the energy needed.
- Reduce waste – reusing steel creates four to five times less carbon emission than producing new steel.
- Preserve our earth – for every ton of steel recycled, it saves around 1,100kg of iron ore, 450kg of coal and 55kg of limestone.
- Raise funds – to assist people living with mental illness.
How can we get involved?
Getting involved in the Scrap to Gold program is easy. Scrap metal is donated from a diverse range of places including machinery, hospitals, engineering and mining companies.
If your organisation has metal you don’t require – such as structural steel, wear metal, vehicle batteries or any other type of metal that is not contaminated – then please register to become a Scrap to Gold partner and donate it.
How do I register?
Contact Vinnies WA to register your company and become a Scrap to Gold partner.
Phone: 08 6323 7500
Email: [email protected]
Or fill out the enquiry form below.
Sims Metal delivers & collects the bins
Sims Metal liaises with your business to deliver an industrial bin for you to deposit the metal in; these bins are then removed from site every four weeks or as often as required.*
Collection points are in both metropolitan and rural areas, where the public can also dispose of vehicle batteries in a safe and environmentally friendly manner.
*All collections are subject to transport viability. Arrangements can also be made to pick up bulk metal which is too large for the bins.
How do I order a bin?
Once registered with Vinnies WA, Sims Metal will get in contact with you to arrange a bin to be dropped off at your business.
Thereafter you can arrange your skip bin collection and delivery directly with Sims Metal.
Scrap metal is weighed & valued by Sims Metal
Upon collection, Sims will recycle the metal and forward the proceeds to Vinnies WA.
How are the funds used?
Vinnies mental health services is a recovery focused model, led by the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to rebuild their lives. Care is tailored to the individual with a focus on building life skills and reconnecting people with family and the broader community.
The service is the only three tiered integrated mental health service in Western Australia. This means it works with the men and women accessing the service to transition from supported care, to shared accommodation, and then eventually to independent living.
Funds raised will support the service to provide vital accommodation and support for people with living with severe and enduring mental illness to rebuild their lives through a recovery based program.
Vinnies provides individuals with a safe living environment and encourages decision making, choices and personal responsibility, personal growth, self-esteem, friendships and participation in community life.
Residents have the opportunity to be involved in leisure, recreational and training activities to broaden their networks and confidence in everyday environments. These include fitness, skills development, art and craft, computer literacy and socialisation.
Vinnies has helped many West Australian’s over the years
Carl’s* Story
One individual that benefited was Carl*. Carl came to Vinnies WA struggling with several mental health conditions, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It was identified that Carl required support with establishing good sleep routines, daily personal care, healthy food choices and daily living skills.
Upon moving to the Viveash home, Carl continued to receive support from staff and together they were able to identify goals that he wanted to achieve and create an action plan to help guide him to do so.
After 6 months Carl stated he was feeling happy and in a good place. He attributed this to “good friendships, getting a lot more sleep and less worrying”. Carl continues to do well in his recovery and has gone on to re-establish positive connections with his family and has since moved back to the family home.
Recently Vinnies WA received a thank you card from Carl’s mother expressing her appreciation for the assistance and support her son had received.
*Name has been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals we assist outings.
Time to make a difference
As a partner of the Scrap to Gold program your organisation can help us to raise funds to support Western Australians living with severe and enduring mental illness find out more. If your organisation would like to take part in this innovative program or if you have any questions, please feel free to call 08 6323 7500 or message us below.