Steel recycling reached an all time high of 83.3 percent in 2008, according to information released by the Steel Recycling Institute last month.
Steel recycling rates are compiled based on data from scrap processors, steel producers, the US Geological Survey and the US Environmental Protection Agency. The first three quarters of 2008 marked high levels of production and scrap usage in the United States and that, along with a full-year of high levels of steel scrap exporting, contributed to record numbers.
Bill Heenan, president of the Steel Recycling Institute said “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.”
Appliance recycling rates remained stable at 90% in 2008 as did structural steel at 97.5%, while construction reinforcement steel increased slightly to 70%. For every US ton of steel recycled, 2500 pounds (1133 kg) of iron ore, 1400 pounds (635 kg) of coal and 120 pounds (54 kg) of limestone are conserved.
