(Washington,
DC)
– In recognition of the 46th Earth Day today, the Institute of Scrap Recycling
Industries (ISRI) is joining individuals and organizations around the world in
celebration of the earth and what can be done to preserve it. Earth Day,
started in 1970, takes place annually on April 22 in a worldwide effort to save
and nurture the environment of which recycling plays a crucial role.
“Each year Earth Day provides us with an important reminder not only of the
need to do our part to protect the earth, but also of the positive impact the
recycling industry has on the environment,” said Robin Wiener, president of
ISRI. “Together with our members, ISRI serves as an environmental steward,
promoting recycling at all levels, educating future generations on the
importance of recycling, and encouraging manufacturers to design products with
recycling and earth conservation in mind.”
Each year the scrap recycling industry recycles roughly 135 million metric tons
of materials, thereby transforming society’s outdated and obsolete products and
materials into useful raw materials needed to produce new products. In doing
so, the scrap recycling industry has made great savings in both energy and
natural resources and thus has had an extremely positive impact on our
environment. Further, by purchasing products at the end of their life and
processing them back into raw materials used in the manufacture of new
products, scrap recycling reduces the need for virgin materials, such as iron
ore, trees, and other natural resources. Recycling reduces energy consumption
and the emission of greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change,
while helping to maintain a steady supply of raw materials for the U.S. and
global economies.
Earth Day
Recycling Facts:
- The
total estimated reduction in C02 emissions from scrap recycling globally
is approximately 500 million tons a year.
- Recycling
one car saves the energy equivalent of 502 gallons of gasoline and reduces
greenhouse gas emissions by 8,811 lbs.
- There
is up to 87% reduction in energy consumption when producing recycled
plastic compared to from virgin materials.
- Recycling
one ton of paper saves 3.3 cubic yards of landfill.
- Recycling
5 PET bottles produces enough fiber for one t-shirt.
###
The Institute of
Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI) is the Voice of the Recycling
Industry™. ISRI represents more than 1,600 companies in 21 chapters nationwide
that process, broker and industrially consume scrap commodities, including
metals, paper, plastics, glass, rubber, electronics and textiles. With
headquarters in Washington, DC, the Institute provides safety, education,
advocacy, and compliance training, and promotes public awareness of the vital
role recycling plays in the U.S. economy, global trade, the environment and
sustainable development.