Metal recycling

February 15th, 2012 - Joe Duarte

Recycling one tonne of steel conserves 1,250 kg of iron ore, 700 kg of coal and 60 kg of limestone.

Scrap-Metal-HeapShops scrap the scrap heap

America’s body shops are reportedly doing their part for the environment, with 96% reporting they recycle scrap metal from automotive components.

According to a study from the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), shops are recycling scrap metal from replaced parts such as alternators, brakes, engines and transmissions, reportedly to the sum of 74 million tonnes of iron and steel, 4.7 million tonnes of aluminum and 1.8 million tonnes of copper (according to the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, or ISRI).

“Scrap metal recycling has an extremely positive impact on our environment,” said Rich White, senior vice president, AAIA. “It conserves natural resources, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, saves energy and minimizes the amount of waste sent to landfills.”

According to ISRI, recycling one tonne of steel conserves 1,250 kg of iron ore, 700 kg of coal and 60 kg of limestone; the energy saved using recycled materials versus new ones is up to 58% for iron and steel, 92% for aluminum and 90% for copper.

Put another way, if the scrap metal currently recycled in theUnited Stateswere loaded onto rail cars, the train would stretch 18,265 km, nearly halfway around the Earth.

In addition to recycling scrap metal, the nation’s repair shops say they routinely recycle tires, batteries, used oil and oil filters, parts cleaning solvents, plastics, a/c refrigerant, and packing materials.

1 comment

  1. Ted says:

    World war two that was nothing new! War effort -Global warming!

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