As a $116 billion industry in the U.S., scrap recycling is responsible for disposing of roughly 260 million tons of waste each year. With that kind of responsibility, more and more recycling companies are looking to advanced technology to improve operations, and there have been some notable innovations in recent years.
And one of them is truly o...
One of the strongest selling points for increasing recycling rates for scrap metals has been the proven environmental benefits.
Scrap metal recycling reduces air pollution. It’s that simple. Or is it?
Let’s get into the numbers.
It’s easy to make the case that scrap doesn’t belong in our landfills, where it can contaminate nearb...
The economic benefits of recycling scrap metal may not always be visible, but when you look below the surface, the scrap metal recycling industry has its impact on the economy.
Last month, major retailer Walmart announced that it was making a firm commitment to carrying out a new vision: a stronger commitment to recycling used materials.
Th...
What are the economic benefits of recycling metals? Here are the top reasons why scrap metal recycling is a growing industry and how that can affect you.
Across the United States, the concept of “going green” has progressed far beyond simply being a catchy slogan. Businesses are quickly taking steps to become more environmentally-friendly i...
Here’s the scrap metal recycling outlook for 2019 and what to look forward to in a now booming industry. As 2018 comes to a close, it’s clear this has been an unprecedented year for the scrap metal industry.
Last year, when China announced that it would stop accepting import waste material, including many scrap metals, it looked like a huge...
Is there such a thing as mining for treasures … in trash? As it turns out, landfills – particularly older ones – have become a great source for valuable materials, including metals. Finding treasures in trash could, in fact, be a valuable hobby.
That concept was brought home recently in a landfill in Escambia County, Florida. It was closed...
Scrap recycling equipment is getting smarter.
The concept behind the recycling of scrap metal is straightforward: there are still a lot of valuable parts in scrap that, when effectively recycled, can be resold to buyers for use in making new products.
So what seems like scrap junk that belongs in a landfill actually still has a lot of usefuln...
As the U.S. and other nations continue to change the terms of free trade agreements that have been in existence for two decades, industries being impacted by newly imposed tariffs are still figuring out the long-term impact.
And now they’re sorting out the implications of the decision by the United States, Canada, and Mexico to replace the 25-...
Do you have any leftover sheet metal from construction projects? Consider the benefits of sheet metal recycling.
First, some quick facts about sheet metal workers, the ones who fabricate or install products made from thin metal sheets, such as ducts used in heating and air conditioning systems.
Their median pay in 2017 was nearly $48,000 a ye...
China is creating new headaches and uncertainty for the U.S. recycling market, following their decision to stop accepting the import of scrap metal. Now with a trade war escalating between the U.S. and China, the recycling industry could be facing even more challenges.
The solution may not come from a sudden change of heart within the Chinese go...
A growing number of people think we have a serious plastics problem.
And a lot of the frustration has been directed against something in particular: plastic straws.
In part, this issue has been about something else: recycling rates for plastics that need improving.
We all know that unlike some other products, virtually all plastics end up...
If there’s one thing Michigan has long been known for, it’s being the historic heart of the American automotive industry. There have been so many auto manufacturing plants in the state that Detroit took on the nickname "Motor City," and it was Michigan’s own Henry Ford who pioneered the use of the assembly line in manufacturing automobiles he...
A strong economy is helping particular sectors grow at an accelerated rate, and a great example is the construction industry. A low unemployment rate has produced significant public and private sector investments in major construction and infrastructure projects.
And as more commercial and residential properties get built, more road expansion pr...
With a booming economy based in part on tourism, Central Florida has exactly what visitors are looking for, including major theme park, popular golf resorts, and a diverse number of hotels and restaurants offering plenty of options for your extended stays here.
But did you know that despite that, the Orlando area is still in the midst of a stunn...
One of the biggest challenges for the nation’s red-hot housing market has been a lack of inventory. There simply are not enough homes being put on the market to meet the high demand among prospective buyers.
Logic says that should provide a major incentive to home builders to ramp up construction and deliver more brand-new homes, but they face...
During World War II, the U.S. government launched a nationwide campaign encouraging Americans to start collecting anything they had made out of metal, so it could be recycled.
The reason: as part of the war effort, factories had started to ramp up production of the tanks, ships and other weapons used to fight overseas. Metals were in short suppl...
Let’s face it: when you buy a home, it’s not truly yours just because you signed the deed. It’s when you’ve turned that house into something that truly reflects who you are that you can say it’s yours.
Virtually everyone loves the opportunity to do remodeling work before they move in, or to launch into some repair projects the previous...
If you’re sitting down at your dining table and just reached over to turn on a lamp, it’s possible both products were made from a key ingredient: scrap metal.
Scrap is actually a vital component in the manufacturing of a host of different products, from new buildings to home furniture to cars. It’s a great economic benefit when we use recy...
U.S. Steel, the integrated steel producer headquartered in Pittsburgh and the world’s 24th largest steel producer, just made a major announcement: they’re hiring again.
That may not sound significant in an economy that’s booming and with a national unemployment rate of just 3.8 percent, a historic low. But anyone who has followed the steel...
In our modern world, one unavoidable factor in our daily lives is that we’re going to be generating a sizeable amount of trash each week, a situation that continues to concern environmental groups who track the problems all that waste creates for our environment. That’s why these organizations are promoting recycling as an effective and efficie...
As the old cliché goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. And that line applies to more than just antique sales or eBay auctions.
What a lot of people don’t know about is the value of scrap metal – something that’s too often treated as trash to be disposed of, even though its value to recyclers is high. And there’s a strong...
The marine scientist and oceanographer David Mearns has gotten a lot of attention in recent years for his work as a successful hunter of deep-ocean shipwrecks. He even published a book this year, “The Shipwreck Hunter: A Lifetime of Extraordinary Discoveries on the Ocean Floor,” that describes his discovery of more than 20 major shipwrecks, inc...
Increasingly, we’ve become a nation that loves our homes, our apartments – and our self-storage facilities.
Today, more and more Americans are renting space in storage facilities, which have become a booming industry, particularly in large metro areas. There’s an estimated 2.6 billion square feet of self-storage across this nation, accordi...
It’s become known as a ritual in our nation’s capital. Between February and May each year, lobbying groups that represent industries related to our nation’s infrastructure descend on Capitol Hill.
The American Public Power Association, the National League of Cities, the American Water Works Association and the American Society of Civil Eng...
There was a significant piece of good news that came out recently about the environment, a positive trend that bodes well for the protection of our soil, water, and air.
The report, though, was not specifically about environmental protections or new regulations intended to create a stronger and healthy climate for all of us. Instead, it was abou...
Anyone who’s new to bringing scrap metal to a recycling firm may have noticed that recyclers don’t always post scrap prices online. There’s a good reason for that. It’s often difficult for them to determine the price, since metal prices fluctuate every day.
That means it’s very difficult for recycling firms to post an accurate price, w...
If you’re in the market for a new car or new electronic devices, you’re not alone. Across the globe, auto and electronics sales are surging. And behind the scenes, something else is surging: the push for the recycling of scrap metal.
Metals are in high demand right now among manufacturers, who are ramping up production to meet the insatiable...
Overuse of fossil fuels, deforestation -- mainly to make space for cattle farming and the growing human footprint -- drastically impact the state of our planet. Higher emissions of greenhouse gases caused by human activity have also, for at least a decade, had environmental scientists on high alert as the earth warms at rapid paces, causing among m...
As the global economy continues to grow, production has ramped up on major construction projects. And there’s been a growing recognition of the important economic contributions made by the scrap metal recycling industry.
Those benefits include the jobs being created and the taxes paid to communities and states hosting recycling firms. With a c...
Metals are something that the average individual rarely buys, even though metals make up a critical part of our everyday lives. From the pots and pans we use to cook with, to the car we use as transportation, and the airlines we rely on for travel, it’s hard to imagine how any of how would survive without the steady supply of metals.
There is ...
There is high demand right now for scrap metal. And projections are that there will be continued growth in the field of scrap metal recycling this year.
The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries has the numbers to back it up. A study they commissioned highlights the significant economic and environmental impact the scrap metal recycling indust...
Anyone who lived through the devastating hurricanes that struck Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico last summer found out the hard way what it’s like to go without energy for several days – or, in the case of Puerto Ricans, months.
Sitting in your home with no power, no hot or running water and without the ability to cook food is a truly awful ex...
Today, there are a lot of great reasons for businesses to go green.
Beyond just the public relations value of a business showing interest in the environment, there’s a host of additional benefits. That includes having a healthier workforce to cost savings to meeting the growing demand from consumers who want to spend their dollars at environme...
Across the country, a growing number of municipal governments are investing in recycling programs for local residents. And this includes items that aren’t suitable for your household recycling bin. Good examples of this are items that contain scrap metal. That includes used vehicles or parts, appliances, and other bulkier items.
But when it co...
There’s a lot of great things that happen over the holidays, from office parties to family gatherings to wonderful meals. And, of course, all those terrific presents under the tree.
It’s also the time of year when we have more than our usual share of trash to get rid of. From discarded wrapping paper to boxes to unwanted decorations, January...
Did you know that an old appliance in your home, like a used lamp or stove, can be crucial to the development of a healthy, cleaner environment? And that it can offer greater protections for our groundwater, air and wildlife?
Here’s the connection, it has to do with three key words: scrap metal recycling.
Because a focus on recycling scrap ...
For a lot of plant operators, one of their tasks is to spend time gathering scrap from the production process so it can be discarded. At times, they might feel more like a garbage collector than a plant manager.
Because there’s no doubt that a certain amount of scrap is going to be generated during production. And plants don’t want any exces...
For years, environmentalists have been warning us that so much of the world’s wildlife population is in grave danger. At the same time, while it’s a very disheartening problem, they offer reassuring messages that this situation isn’t too big to take on and can be turned around.
They gently remind society that each one of us has a role to p...
There are plenty of schools that have launched programs to educate children about the value and benefits of recycling.
Environmental groups love the idea. They strongly encourage teachers and parents alike to keep doing what they can to ensure our children leave our world a better place for everyone.
And that, of course, starts with teaching ...
Collecting scrap metal is a way to turn used items into cash, and the recycling of scrap metal has become a booming business.
However, if you decide to start collecting these items, keep in mind that it’s important to do it safely.
Because metal objects can have sharp points, jagged edges, and can collect rust that can get into cuts on the ...
Scrap Metal Recycling offers two universal benefits: one that is environmental, and the other that’s economic.
Every year, more than 150 million metric tons of scrap materials get recycled across the United States. The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries notes that this includes 85 million tons of iron and steel, 5.5 million tons of alumi...
Every year, the recycling industry becomes more sophisticated. And today it’s a thriving field that’s a long way from being about just plastic bottles and discarded newspapers.
Recycling has also transformed into a highly effective global green movement. And it's an industry creating an increasing number of jobs around the world.
What man...
If you’ve ever thought about selling scrap metal, there are plenty of places where you can find a lot of it. Across every state there’s literally thousands of tons of scrap sitting unused. That includes in auto garages, construction sites, even in people’s basements.
And in plenty of instances, that scrap metal is available for free, becau...
Did you know recycling can save you money?
The environmental benefits of recycling are well known, and to some extent so are the economic benefits. The thriving scrap metal recycling industry is creating jobs and promoting economic development in cities and towns across the country.
Recycling scrap metal also serves another benefit, and that...
So many of us love nature – those beautiful rivers, lakes and forests that give us a place to escape to when urban life gets hectic.
And we also appreciate the ones who live there permanently – the wildlife that includes fish, ducks, and other animals.
What so many people who love both nature and wildlife don’t fully understand is how m...
There are a lot of benefits to recycling scrap metal, and that includes how it helps our environment.
One of the most important benefits is the conservation of ore. There’s a limited supply of metal ore on the planet, and recycling reduces the amount of virgin ore needed to be mined by manufacturers.
The bottom line is it’s important to u...
If you’re a local business interested in recycling the scrap metal at your building, it’s important to know the difference between the two key types of scrap. They are ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
There are plenty of different types of each. And they’re used in different ways, and by different industries. So think of it this way: one is...
Recent reports that China is considering banning imports of scrap metal, starting at the end of next year, are expected to sharply increase demand for imported refined copper.
China now makes up nearly half of the world's copper consumption, importing up to 23 million tons this year alone.
And as a result, on July 27 the value of copper rose ...
There are numerous ways to pick up extra money. Some people take a part-time job, others drive Uber cars in their spare time, or they look for seasonal work.
Another option is to hunt down, find, and sell scrap metal. A growing number of people are discovering there is solid demand for scrap metal that can be recycled and reused – a process th...
We’ve all heard the old line: if you love trees, there’s an easy way to help protect them. You can recycle paper. That reduces the need to cut down more trees.
Less well known is that the same line could be used when it comes to the recycling of scrap metal. That includes everything from used parts in your car to old appliances.
With scra...