Steel Records Highest Recycling Rate Ever in U.S.

The Steel Recycling Institute (SRI) recently announced the recycling rate for the world's and America's most recycled material—steel—increased to 75.7 percent in the United States in 2005. This reflects a five-percentage point increase in the recycling rate and the highest rate ever recorded in the United States. 76 million tons of domestic steel scrap was charged into furnaces, both in the United States and abroad, to make new steel products to be used by the steel industry's customers in satisfying consumers' needs.

"2005 continues the four-year expansion of steel recycling to new historic levels in the United States and the 75.7% rate established a new record for steel recycling," Bill Heenan, president of SRI said. "It is important to point out that the number one raw material consumed by the steel industry is steel scrap."

Recyclers across North America continue to experience increased revenue from their programs that collect steel, whether it is steel cans, appliances, construction and demolition ferrous debris, or America's most recycled product, the automobile. Steel, America's most recycled material, is the engine that drives these products out of the waste stream and into the recycling stream, resulting in numerous benefits, both environmental and financial.

"As more and more industries are striving for sustainable development and consumers read about companies striving for sustainable development, it is important to point out that there is no better way to protect future generations' ability to meet their needs than though recycling today," Heenan said. "Sustainable development is achievable by the consumer when he or she becomes actively involved in recycling. Through curbside and drop-off recycling programs, consumers can make a difference by making sure that their steel cans and other recyclables end up in their recycling program rather than in a refuge truck on the way to a landfill." For more information, contact Jim Woods.