Scrap Metal Recycling Facts

Recycling plays a critical role in conserving our national resources. Throughout time, recycling metals by melting and reusing them.It helps keep our cities and open areas free from debris and helps preserve landfill space.

Scrap metal processors of the US handle the following approximate quantities of scrap metal annually:

         * 56 million tons of scrap iron and steel

         * 1.5 million tons of scrap copper

         * 2.5 million tons of scrap aluminum

         * 10 million tons of scrap automobiles (This is included in the 56 million tons of scrap iron and steel recycled.)

         * 1.3 million tons of scap lead

         * 300,000 tons of scrap zinc; and

        * 800,000 tons of stainless steel scrap (**)


Scrap recyclers purchase recyclables from various sources, including manufacturers of metal products; airlines and railroad companies; apartment complexes; autombile dismantlers; auto mechanics; builders, roofers, and other construction sources; demolition contractors; factories; mills; foundries; fabricators; farmers; federal, state, and municipal government agencies and programs; hospitals; universities; schools; machinists and applicance repair shops; municipal curbside collection programs; offices; stores; hotels and restaurants, plumbers and electricians; the general public; the U.S. Armed Forces; and utility companies.



** Scrap: America's Ready Resource, Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc.