The document summarizes the importance of scrap metal recycling in the United States. It notes that 150 million tons of scrap materials are recycled in the US each year, including over 85 million tons of iron and steel. Scrap metal recycling provides significant benefits such as reducing pollution and energy usage compared to mining virgin materials. It also discusses the role of demolition contractors in salvaging scrap metal from structures to fuel the recycling industry.

1. Much of the metal we use today has already been recycled at least once.
We have the scrap metal industry to thank for that. Here’s why scrap metal matters
—and how demolition contractors play a key role in recycling building materials.
150 million
Tons of scrap materials the U.S. recycles each year, including:
85 MILLION
TONS
IRON AND STEEL
5.5 MILLION
TONS
ALUMINUM
2 MILLION
TONS
STAINLESS STEEL
1.8 MILLION
TONS
COPPER
1.2 MILLION
TONS
LEAD
420,000
TONS
ZINC
$38 BILLION
THE POWER OF STEEL
CONSERVE RESOURCES
Value of the
U.S. scrap
metal industry
$21 BILLION
Revenue from
U.S. scrap metal
exports in 2014$
Steel is the
#1 MOST
RECYCLED
material in the world
The world uses
555 MILLION
TONS
of recycled steel a year
RECYCLED
STEEL
accounts for
55% of materials
processed in the U.S.
The U.S. exported
13 MILLION
TONS
of scrap steel
last year
SAVE ENERGY
Scrap metal supplies:
55%
of the world’s
steel needs
40%
of the world’s
copper needs
Recycling 1 ton of steel conserves:
120
LBS.
limestone
1,400
LBS.
coal
2,500
LBS.
iron ore
WATER
than virgin
ore
Scrap
metal use
consumes
40%
LESS
REDUCE POLLUTION
Scrap steel takes 75% less energy
to process than iron ore
Recycling 1 lb. of steel saves enough energy
to power a light bulb for
PREVENT WASTE
The scrap metal industry diverts
145 MILLION TONS
from landfills each year
Using scrap
metal
instead
of virgin ore
generates
97%
LESS
mining
waste
{
CREATE JOBS
Recycling metal may
cut greenhouse gas
emissions by
Using recycled steel in
manufacturing:
Reduces water
pollution by
300-500
MILLION TONS
76%
Reduces air
pollution by
86%
1
LB. 26 HOURS
Copper: 90% less Aluminum: 95% less
The U.S. scrap
industry employs
Scrap exports
alone create
125,000
JOBS
471,587 WORKERS
BOOST ECONOMY
Demolition asset recovery provides a valuable stream of
scrap metal for the recycling industry
Benefits of
Scrap Metal Recycling
$105.81 BILLION
a year in economic activity
That includes
$4.39 BILLION
a year in state and
local tax revenue
Across all 50 states, the scrap industry generates
Scrap exports
generate
$28.34 BILLION
in economic benefits
{
DEMOLITION TOOLS FOR ASSET RECOVERY
Recovering Scrap Metal
from Demolition Projects
Oregon Demolition Pros
Talk Scrap Metal
Recycling Benefits
Can apply 15,000
tons of force to slice
through 1 inch of steel
480 MILLION
TONS
of C&D waste the U.S. generates
annually—that’s 40% of the
nation’s landfill stream
325 MILLION
TONS
of recoverable C&D
materials generated in
the U.S. each year
$7.4
BILLION
Value of the C&D
recycling industry
70%
Amount of C&D waste
contractors recover—the
size of a 4,300-acre landfill
filled 50 ft. deep
Oregon demolition
companies can
RECYCLE UP
TO 90%
of a structure
An Oregon demolition
contractor can
SALVAGE
35,000+ TONS
of steel from a single building
SHEARS
Can pick up
scrap metal
from 4 ft. away
MAGNETS
SALVAGING DEMOLITION MATERIALS
SOURCES:
isri.org, ibisworld.com, thebalance.com, bir.org, schupan.com, recyclingtoday.com, steel.org, nems.nih.gov, elderdemolition.com,
reconmetal.com, uco.edu, recyclinginternational.com, environmentalleader.com, buildipedia.com, cdrecycling.org
www.elderdemolition.com
Copyright © 2016 Elder Demolition Infographic by Mad Fish Digital