Three-fourths of
all American steel
is recycled, part
of the industry’s
clear environmental commitment.

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2008 Overall Steel Recycling Rate Hits All-Time High

The Steel Recycling Institute (SRI) has announced that the overall steel recycling rate for the world’s, and America’s, most recycled material—steel—reached a record high of 83.3 percent. This means that more than 82 million tons of domestic steel scrap was charged in to furnaces, both in the United States and abroad, to make new steel products to be used by the steel industry’s customers in meeting consumers’ needs.

“All new steel made in the North America contains a minimum of 28 percent steel scrap with some processes using upwards of 90 percent steel scrap to make new steel,” said Bill Heenan, president of SRI. “Steel continues to be recycled at a higher volume than paper, plastic, glass, copper and aluminum combined, and the steel can still holds the distinction of being food’s and beverage’s most recycled container.”

More than 1.5 million tons of steel containers were recycled in 2008 at a rate of 65.2 percent. While more than 14,8 million tons of steel was recycled from automobiles at a rate of 106 percent. Recycling rates for automobiles are often near or over 100 percent as older vehicles being recycled are often heavier than new cars which are more fuel efficient through use of advanced high-strength steels, which are now available to automobile manufactures. These steel recycling rates accomplish much more than simply saving landfill space. For every ton of steel recycled, 2500 pounds of iron ore, 1400 pounds of coal and 120 pounds of limestone are conserved.

The SRI, through its regional operations staff, continues to work with communities to increase the volume of steel being recycled and diverted from landfills. An increasing number of communities are expanding their traditional curbside programs to include light ferrous (iron) materials, such as toaster ovens, clothes hangers and irons. To find where steel can be recycled in your locality, visit http://recycle-steel.org. For more information, contact Jim Woods.