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 scrap 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
  automobile 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 appliance 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