Recycling Facts

The scrap recycling industry annually transforms more than 150 million tons of obsolete materials from consumers, businesses, and manufacturers into useful raw materials. Without scrap recycling, more mining and use of virgin natural resources would be required. The world would be headed in a dangerous direction. Scrap recycling protects the earth's air, water, and land, allowing society to have less impact on the planet and directly contributing to today's and tomorrow's quality of life.

The Scrap Recycling Industry

Scrap accounts for 40% of the world's raw material needs.

2 out of 3 lbs. of steel made in the U.S. are manufactured using ferrous scrap.

60% of the metals and alloys produced in the U.S. are made from non-ferrous scrap.

Recycling one ton of steel conserves 2,500 lbs. of iron ore, 1,400 lbs. of coal, and 120 lbs. of limestone.

33% of the U.S.'s aluminum supply comes from recycled materials.

Recycling 1 ton of aluminum conserves up to 8 tons of bauxite ore and 14 megawatt hours of electricity.

93 million tires are processed annually for reuse in a variety of industries.

More than 50% of the U.S. paper industry's needs are met through the use of recovered paper, with nearly 200 U.S. paper mills using only recycled paper. Estimates are that this recyclable paper will soon account for 47% of global papermaking fiber.

Recycling one ton of paper saves 17 trees, 79 gallons of oil, 7,000 gallons of water, and 3.3 cubic yards of landfill.

Energy saved using recycle materials vs. virgin ore may be up to:

• 95% for aluminum
• 85% for copper
• 80% for plastic
• 74% for iron and steel
• 64% for paper

Recycling reduces greenhouse gas emissions by significantly saving the amount of energy needed to manufacture the products that we buy, build, and use. The energy saved by recycling can be used for more important purposes, such as heating our homes and powering our automobiles. The scrap recycling industry takes its job as an environmental steward extremely seriously. After all, our children's future depends on it!