Improving Recycling Programs

Improving Recycling Programs by Wendy Mitchell

If your toaster is toast or your iron has seen better days, you may want to think twice before tossing them.

A number of cities have expanded their curbside recycling programs to include such items as toaster ovens, hangers and irons. Steel-the common metal to all the newly included recyclable items-is already the world's most recycled material, with a recycle rate of 68 percent. But these new efforts could boost that number even higher, helping to divert more than 72 million tons of steel from landfills each year.

Why the new recycling push? Worldwide demand for scrap steel has grown significantly, causing steel prices to climb as warehouse supplies dwindle. In fact, the Steel Recycling Institute (SRI) says America's inventories of steel scrap are at their lowest levels since World War II. To help, the group will work with communities to increase the volume of steel being recycled.

"We are actively working with recycling coordinators to educate them about the benefits of additional sources of steel scrap in their recycling programs," says Bill Heenan, president of SRI. "At the same time, we are increasing public educational efforts to maximize the volume of steel recycled so it gets back to the mills where it's needed-and stays out of the landfills."

Steel continues to be recycled at a volume higher than all other recyclables combined-helping drive consumer costs down and limiting the environmental footprint left by the metal.

"As we continue to work with recycling coordinators to increase the flow of steel scrap to meet the demands of the scrap-hungry steel furnaces, we'll all continue to benefit from the environmental benefits of recycling scrap steel," says Heenan.

For more information, visit www.recycle-steel.org. Steel is recycled at a tonnage higher than all other recyclables combined.

Article Directory: Article Dashboard