Turning waste into wealth
How Drill Bits Recyclers is revolutionising mining sustainability
In the heart of WA, a quiet revolution is taking place in how the mining industry handles its waste.
What was once written off as a cost of doing business is now becoming a powerful source of revenue and environmental impact. Drill Bits Recyclers (DBR), a proudly WA-owned and operated business, is helping mining and drilling companies across the country recover real value from their used consumables.
By treating worn-out drill bits not as rubbish but as a recyclable resource, DBR is leading the shift toward profitable, responsible mining practices.
“We discovered that companies were unknowingly discarding significant value,” explains Matteo Burlet, Director of DBR.
“Our mission is to help them reclaim that value while aligning with their ESG goals.”
DBR is also a proud member of the Australian Drilling Industry Association (ADIA) and an active voice in promoting innovation and sustainability across the sector.
Real value
Across multiple clients and commodity sectors, DBR has delivered an average 7% ROI, calculated by comparing the recovered resale value against the original drill bit purchase costs.
That equates to one virtually free drill bit for every 14 recycled, simply by diverting them from the scrap steel pile into DBR’s dedicated system.
One recent partner had been unknowingly discarding around 5,000 DTH blasting bits per year, mixed with scrap metal and generating no returns.
After engaging DBR, that same company is now on track to exceed six figure returns annually, just by redirecting used bits into designated containers.
“Crazy? Maybe. Possible? Absolutely,” Matt adds.
And these returns come in addition to ESG and sustainability performance gains, creating a rare dual benefit for mining companies under increasing pressure to do more with less.
A recovery story
Another one of DBR’s newest partners, a multi-rig drilling contractor operating in the Goldfields, began using DBR’s system after years of sending used bits to their general scrap pile.
Within six months of implementation, they had collected over 12 IBC pods worth of RC and DTH bits, generating tens of thousands in recovered value, and for the first time, included related recycling data in their ESG report.
What stood out most to their operations team wasn’t just the money, but how easy it was to integrate DBR’s system into their workflow.
No downtime, no retraining, just containers on-site, filled as usual, and collected when ready.
It’s this simplicity, combined with the financial upside, that’s driving DBR’s rapid growth across the state and beyond.
What happens to the drill bits?
Every year, WA sites generate thousands of tonnes of tungsten rich waste and scrap, most of which end up as general scrap or landfill.
These materials still hold significant value if handled properly.
Here’s how DBR captures that value:
• On-site collection: Clients gather materials into 1000L IBC pods, allowing for the re-use of empty IBC’s rather than sending them to landfill.
• Transport & logistics: DBR relies on a national logistics network, collecting full pods or receiving deliveries to its Perth hub.
• Sorting & preparation: Materials are carefully sorted to isolate and prepare high-value components for export.
• Export & processing: Recovered materials are exported to international high-tech refineries for specialised processing and reuse in advanced manufacturing.
The entire process is transparent and traceable, built around maximum value recovery with minimal client involvement.
Sustainability without sacrifice
With Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance now integral to investment and regulatory scrutiny, DBR provides custom ESG reporting to help clients meet sustainability commitments, without the need for internal program development or added overhead.
“We’re not just recycling drill bits,” says Matt “We’re helping companies prove that profitability doesn’t need to clash with sustainability.”
By turning what was once waste into revenue, DBR gives mining companies an added opportunity to lead the way in responsible resource use.
How to get started?
Getting started with DBR is simple, fast, and requires zero initial investment. There are no hidden fees, just clear logistics, reliable payouts, and a streamlined process that fits neatly into your existing
operations.
1. Contact DBR to discuss your site setup and needs.
2. Receive your Tailored Solution. We ensure that each client receives a solution that is 100% aligned with their needs and requirements
3. Start collecting your materials on-site
4. Notify DBR when full, we handle the rest.
5. Get paid for your recovered materials, with reporting included.
Whether you’re a single-rig contractor or a major player, the model scales effortlessly, and the returns speak for themselves!
Join dozens of smart operators across Australia who’ve already made the switch earning more and doing better for the planet.
Start making money and boosting your sustainability by recycling smarter with DBR.
Contact us today and make it happen for you too.
P: (08) 6385 7855
E: [email protected]
W: www.dbrecyclers.com
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