• Press Release

ReMA Joins in the Celebration of Earth Day 2016

(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, ReMA 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year the scrap recycling industry recycles roughly 135 million metric tons of materials, thereby transforming society’s outdated and obsolete products and materials into useful raw materials needed to produce new products.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.

 

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The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI) is the Voice of the Recycling Industry™. ReMA 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.

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