2008 Overall Steel Recycling Rate Hits All-Time High

The Steel Recycling Institute announced that the overall steel recycling rate for steel reached a record high of 83.3 percent in 2008. The recycling level translates into 82 million tons of domestically collected ferrous scrap was recycled, either in the U.S. or overseas.

Steel recycling rates are compiled based on data from scrap processors, steel producers, the US Geological Survey and the US Environmental Protection Agency. 

 “All new steel made in the North America contains a minimum of 28 percent steel scrap with some processes using upwards of 90 percent steel scrap to make new steel,” said Bill Heenan, president of the SRI. “Steel continues to be recycled at a higher volume than paper, plastic, glass, copper and aluminum combined, and the steel can still holds the distinction of being food’s and beverage’s most recycled container.”

More than 1.5 million tons of steel containers were recycled in 2008 at a rate of 65.2 percent, while more than 14.8 million tons of steel was recycled from automobiles at a rate of 106 percent. Recycling rates for automobiles are often near or over 100 percent as older vehicles being recycled are often heavier than new cars, which are more fuel efficient through use of advanced high-strength steels, which are now available to automobile manufacturers.

Appliance recycling rates remained stable at 90 percent as did structural steel at 97.5 percent, while construction reinforcement steel increased slightly to 70 percent.