The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), Washington, says it is celebrating America Recycles Day Nov. 15 by applauding the individuals who make an effort to recycle as part of daily life. The association also says it encourages Americans to learn more about recycling and the industry.
America Recycles Day, a national initiative of Keep America Beautiful, Stamford, Connecticut, takes place every Nov. 15 to promote and celebrate recycling in the U.S.
“Each year America Recycles Day provides us with an important reminder not only of the need to recycle but also the positive impact the recycling industry has on the environment, energy savings and the economy,” says Robin Wiener, president of ISRI.
ISRI says recycling is the first link in the manufacturing supply chain. Just last year, the U.S. recycling industry transformed more than 130 million metric tons of scrap metal, paper, plastic, glass, textiles, rubber and electronics into specification grade commodities for use in new products, according to the association.
While 70 percent of the recycled commodities processed last year in the United States was consumed at home, the global scrap market also provides a useful outlet for our nation’s excess scrap supply, ISRI says. U.S. export sales of recycled scrap benefit the U.S. trade balance. In 2015, the United States exported more than 37 million metric tons of scrap commodities, valued at $17.5 billion. In fact, since 2000, net exports of U.S. scrap have made a positive contribution to our balance of trade, amounting to more than $210 billion, ISRI adds.
The recycling industry employs more than 470,000 Americans either directly or indirectly. These workers earned $30.8 billion in wages and benefits, according to ISRI. The industry paid $11.2 billion in direct federal, state and local taxes.
ISRI reminds Americans that recycling conserves limited natural resources and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the amount of energy needed to manufacture the products that we buy, build, and use every day. The energy saved by recycling may then be used for other purposes, such as heating our homes and powering our automobiles.