From: the American Iron and Steel Institute
1. Millions of tons of iron and steel are diverted from the waste stream to the recycling stream due to steel’s magnetic properties that make it the easiest material to separate from the solid waste stream.
2. Almost 69% of all steel is recycled in North America each year, more than paper, aluminum, plastic and glass combined. North America’s average recycling rate has been in excess of 60% since 1970.
3. More than 80 million tons of steel are recycled each year in North America.
4. For every ton of steel recycled, 2,500 pounds of iron ore, 1400 pounds of coal, and 120 pounds of limestone are conserved.
5. Steel products can be recycled repeatedly without loss of strength.
6. Recycling steel saves the equivalent energy to power about 18 million households for a year.
7. When you buy steel, you’re always buying recycled.
8. More than 95% of the water used for making steel in North America is now recycled.
9. Since the first Earth Day in 1970, the steel companies in North America have invested more than $7.5 Billion in capital equipment for the control of water and air pollution and the treatment of solid waste.
10. Since World War II, the North American steel industry has reduced its energy intensity by 60%. This conservation of energy has also contributed to a significant reduction in the generation of carbon dioxide.