Metal Recycling

Environmental Benefits Of Scrap Metal Recycling

From the earliest uses of scrap thousands of years ago to the optical scanners, x-rays, and air jets separating materials in today’s high-tech shredders, scrap recycling has evolved as the primary industry dedicated to transforming materials to creating new products and driving economies by making the old, new again. As the original recyclers, for decades — and indeed, centuries — the scrap recycling industry has been purchasing, processing, and brokering old materials to be remade into new products, providing critical resources for America’s manufacturing industries.

Now, with a continuing societal focus on protecting our natural resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the scrap recycling industry is being recognized as one of the world’s first green industries while playing a prominent role as an economic leader, job creator, major exporter, and environmental steward. More mining and use of virgin natural resources would be required without scrap recycling. 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 positively contributing to our quality of life.

Aluminum recycling is a key part of this sustainability movement, offering significant advantages by conserving energy and reducing waste. Recycling aluminum, especially aluminum cans, requires only a fraction of the energy needed to produce new aluminum from raw materials, making it one of the most efficient forms of scrap metal recovery. This recycling process also extends to other valuable materials like copper and steel, further reducing the need for mining and minimizing environmental impact. By keeping aluminum scrap and other metals out of landfills, the industry not only preserves natural resources but also strengthens the economy by supplying essential raw materials for manufacturing. As demand for sustainable solutions grows, continued investment in recycling technologies will ensure that aluminum waste and other recyclables remain a vital part of the circular economy.

Recycling is a critical first link in the manufacturing supply chain and an important component of the nation’s economic stability and protection of our environment.Recycled metal, paper, plastics and other commodity grade materials feed critical U.S. manufacturing operations such as transportation, infrastructure, manufactured goods, electronics, healthcare and personal supplies, and other priority needs for today’s world.

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

The United States annually processes nearly 290 billion lbs. of scrap material — the weight of more than 70 million cars.

The U.S. steel industry relies on ferrous scrap as its largest single raw material input. In fact, 70 percent of all U.S. produced steel and stainless steel is made from ferrous and stainless scrap supplied by recyclers.Copper and copper alloy production in the United States is also heavily dependent on scrap as a raw material input. Copper scrap provides approximately one‐third of the supply of all copper, brass and bronze produced in the U.S.More than half of all aluminum consumption by manufacturers in the United States comes from scrap.

A used aluminum can is recycled and back on the grocery shelf within just 60 days.Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a 55” HDTV to watch your favorite movie.

The scrap commodities recycled annually save  the equivalent of nearly 400 million tons of carbon dioxide -- equal to the energy use of 48 million homes for one year.

The recycling sector supplies 40 percent (on average across all commodities) of raw material needs for U.S. manufacturing. Without the continued supply of specification‐grade recyclable materials, many companies would be forced to reduce operations.

Recycling reduces the amount of material sent to landfills, preserving that land for better uses.