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ISRI is
the trade association of the scrap processing and recycling
industry. It represents 1,400 companies that process, broker,
and consume scrap commodities, including metals, paper,
plastics, glass, rubber, and textiles. Suppliers of equipment
and services to this industry complete ISRI's membership. A
primary association objective is to bring about a greater
awareness of the industry's role in conserving the future
through recycling and in increasing recycling by promoting
Design for Recycling.
ISRI aims to help the scrap recycling industry develop in a
sound, environmentally responsive manner and to foster public
awareness of and appreciation for the value of the industry in
the nation's production of goods and services. Its headquarters
and 21 chapters represent its interests to the Executive Branch,
Capitol Hill, and every state legislature. The association also
exists to provide continuing education to its members through
seminars, workshops, roundtables, an annual convention and
exposition, and publications. It provides public education about
the benefits of recycling as well.
The American scrap recycling industry's products are worth at
least $20 billion a year. Last year in the United States alone,
scrap recyclers handled 125.5 million tons of recyclables
destined for domestic use and overseas markets.
This tonnage included approximately:
-- 61 million tons of scrap iron and steel
-- 45 million tons of scrap paper and paperboard
-- 5.2 million tons of scrap aluminum
-- 2 million tons of scrap copper
-- 1.1 million tons of scrap stainless steel
-- 1.3 million tons of scrap lead
-- 214,000 tons of scrap zinc
-- 9.5 million tons of scrap glass (beverage containers only)
-- 100,000 tons of scrap plastic (beverage containers only)
ISRI members manufacture or sell products for beneficial reuse,
conserving impressive amounts of energy and natural resources in
the recycling process. For example, recycled aluminum scrap
saves the nation 95 percent of the energy that would have been
needed to make new aluminum from ore. Recycled iron and steel
result in energy savings of 74 percent; recycled copper, 85
percent; recycled paper, 64 percent; and recycled plastic, over
80 percent.
In addition to the obvious environmental contributions of the
scrap recycling industry, ISRI members provide economic benefits
to the nation, including exports that benefit the U.S. balance
of trade.
Many ISRI members are small family-owned businesses, including a
significant number that have been in continuous operation for
100 years or more. Others are large publicly traded or privately
held corporations. All members cherish their heritage as the
nation's Original Recyclers. ISRI itself represents
almost a century of service to the business of processing and
recycling scrap commodities. It was formed in 1987 through a
merger of the National Association of Recycling Industries,
founded in 1913, and the Institute of Scrap Iron and Steel,
founded in 1928.
All ISRI members are experts in the handling, processing,
shipping, and/or ultimate recycling of scrap commodities and can
assist communities and organizations in the planning,
establishment, and implementation of recycling activities.
Because they are experts in resource recovery, their experience
and capabilities can save countless public and private hours and
dollars in developing effective approaches to recycling.
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