| Metal Recycling 101 Scrap metal makes up one of the two largest exports that the U.S. sends to China. In fact, according to the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) there are “150 million metric tons of scrap materials recycled annually including: 81.6 million tons of iron and steel, 5 million tons of aluminum, 1.8 million tons of copper and 2 million tons of stainless steel.” In addition to these metals, others metals can also be recycled including: * Brass and Bronze * Zinc * Magnesium * Tin * Lead The amount of energy saved in using recycled metals is extensive. The ISRI reports an energy use reduction of 95 percent for aluminum, 85 percent for copper and 74 percent for iron and steel. As far as conservation goes, using recycled goods for metal products can make a big impact. Steel conserves 2500 lbs. of iron ore, 1400 lbs. of coal and 120 lbs. of limestone, while aluminum conserves up to 8 tons bauxite ore and 14 megawatt hours of electricity. this article from our friends at earth911.com Bibliography: Metal Recycling 101 * (12/31/1969). "Scrap Recycling Industry Facts" Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. http://www.isri.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home1&CONTENTID=16096&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm. * Fallows, James . "China Makes, The World Takes" The Atlantic http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200707/shenzhen. July/August 2007. |