The Original Recyclers

The original recyclers: 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 is evolving into the major industry. One dedicated to transforming materials to create new products and driving economies by making the old, new again. Today, the U.S. scrap recycling industry directly employs 156,000 men and women.

The scrap recycling industry, the original recyclers, for centuries have purchased, processed, and brokered old materials. These materials, fit for new products, provide 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 recognized as one of the world’s first green industries. It plays a prominent role as an economic leader, job creator, major exporter, and environmental steward.

Imagine a World Without Recycling

It would be a dramatically different place, with more pollution and greenhouse gases, increased energy use, and dramatically faster depletion of our virgin natural resources.

The scrap recycling industry annually transforms more than 130 million metric tons of obsolete materials from consumers, businesses, and manufacturers into useful raw materials.

Without scrap recycling, more mining and use of virgin natural resources is required — pointing the world 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.

A few highlights:

• The U.S. manufactures two-thirds of all iron and steel using ferrous scrap.
• Recycling one ton of steel conserves 2,500 pounds of iron ore, 1,400 pounds of coal, and 120 pounds of limestone.
• Recycling one ton of aluminum conserves up to five metric tons of bauxite ore and 14 megawatt hours of electricity.
• Energy saved using recycled materials versus virgin materials: 95 percent for aluminum, 75 percent for copper, and 60 percent for iron and steel.
• The U.S. makes more aluminum products from scrap than primary aluminum.

Reach out to discuss implementing your own custom recycling program: here, 214-574-4100, or contact@venturemet.com, and join us in making history!

Sources: EPA, International Aluminum Institute, Recycling Research Institute, SRI, USGS.