Meth Heads Go For Recycling
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 12. 6.07
Ever since copper prices peaked - something we called a function of Peak Copper - theft of scrap and even functioning copper items has become a serious national problem. Mark gave us a broad overview of the problem here.
There are global environmental and design impacts as well economic and safety issues arising from the thefts.
To prevent theft of copper wire from electrical substations, for example, Seattle Washington-area electrical engineers are changing designs by substituting steel clad copper wire for plain copper - which of course could mean that recyclability is reduced even for legitimate intermediaries. And, the new record keeping requirements needed to discourage 'theft-cycling' add overhead for recyclers already operating on slim margins.
By combining new deterrent technologies with increased law enforcement, PSE has decreased copper thefts from substations by 28 percent and more than doubled the number of arrests by law enforcement since January in the nine counties where the utility provides electric service.
The new technologies include replacing chain-link fencing around substations with extruded steel fencing – fencing that cannot be cut; and applying data dots – spray-on microscopic labels to copper wire for identification by recycling centers and law enforcement agencies. PSE is also replacing copper with new materials such as copper-weld, a steel line coated in copper, which has virtually no recycle value.
Methamphetamine addicts seem to play a key role in the thefts. Here's the money quote:-
In addition to PSE’s efforts, a law requiring recycling companies to maintain detailed transaction records and seller information, as well as making it a misdemeanor for companies to knowingly purchase metals from a person convicted of theft or crimes involving methamphetamine, has been a significant factor in the declining thefts.
While looking for a suitable graphic for this post we came across a product called Copper Cop, which is apparently an alarm system that one installs to the outdoor compressor portion of an air conditioner to prevent thieves from stealing the copper tubing from the refrigerant distribution and return system. The theft of these copper tubes, of course ,would liberate all of the ozone depleting HCFC gases in the system . This would be several pounds worth. Junkies messing up the stratospheric ozone: it's not enough they have to destroy their own lives.
This is even worse than divorce causing people to use more resources!
Now would be a good time to blame the 1960's counter culture movement for both problems. (joking)
Via::FoxBusinessNews, Image credit::Toronto Daily Photo
Seems like the solution to copper theft from substations is simple: run a hot wire over to that fence. Eliminates law enforcement, court, and incarceration expenses too!
I saw an article on divorce causing increased resource usage on Yahoo Green. I appreciate the reference. I couldn't find a word to describe how lame that was. Marriage also causes more resources to be used cuz they have more kids! So, divorce may actually save resources if it prevents babies...just arguing with them. :-)
Ummm......
Person who follows your advice finds themselves in very deep legal trouble.
Setting up booby traps falls somewhere on the homicide continuum.
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Recycling copper over steel works just fine. Copper has a lower melting point than does steel.
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The '60s counter culture?
Try another excuse for your generation's drug problem please.
the reference to the 60's counter culture was a joke.
also if the voltage was low enough not to kill, and the presence of the voltage was announced, via signs, how would this be homicide? lots of places use electric fences strong enough to give a painful shock.
Hey Bob Wallace.
Where do you live?
I'm going to come over and take all your stuff.
Don't bother locking your door cuz' you'll just have to pay for its repair when I kick it in.
Now don't get any big ideas about protecting your property or holding me accountable for my despicable, inexcusable behaviour. Any such fancy thinking will have my lawyer doing his own fancy talk about how it "falls somewhere on the homicide continuum".
This is a serious problem. Even residential builders in our area are no longer even using copper because 9 times out of 10 someone will come in and rip it out...even if the wall has already been sheetrocked!
The point of the Copper-weld wire isn't its reduced recycling value--its recycling value of bimetallic wire is lower because the wire itself is much cheaper. It consists mostly of steel - the thieves would be just as well served by stealing the fence around the substation and selling that.
(When you put alternating current on a wire, more of the electricity is transmitted by the surface of the wire than by the core. Ergo, the bimetallic wire has a copper outside (where it's most useful for conduction), and a cheaper, stronger steel core. It's not useful everywhere, but for a lot of power transmission applications, it can be a nice alternative. Many overhead lines already use aluminum-core wires with a copper cladding.)
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Thanks for the clarification.
Of course the junkies will still try to steal the stuff thinking that it is copper.
The truly evil facet of this trend is that it tarnishes the social value of recycling - especially if it comes to pass that junkies are constantly causing brownouts.
It's not just junkies that are stealing these stuff. IN fact, it's more likely that it's a person just looking to make a fast buck. It's a national problem.