Old
autos, stoves, discarded farm machinery and other metals
and materials are recycled into scrap by the scrap recycling
industry. Use of obsolete scrap improves the nation's
environment in addition to saving energy and our natural
resources. For example, it takes four times as much energy
to make steel from iron ore as it does to make the same
steel from scrap.
The recycling process begins with each of us. Material that
is no longer able to be used for what it was originally intended,
may be suitable for recycling. Examples of such materials include
automobiles, hot-water heaters, washers, dryers, stoves, worn
out bicycles, aluminum cans, sheet metal and agricultural and
industrial scrap. This material is brought to a scrap processor.
The processor separates it according to type; and, with a variety
of equipment, homogenizes and manufactures the scrap into industry
specific grades.
The
material is recycled by group, or chemistry. That
is, like items are grouped together, processed, and
marketed according to industry specifications. Our
specifications are written and approved by the Institute
of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI).
BMI is committed to managing its operations in conformance
with ISRI’s Recycling Industry Operating Standard
(RIOS) that ensures quality products, a safe workplace,
and environmental protection. Our Policy
Statement [click
here, PDF Format] reflects BMI’s commitment
to maintain a Quality, Environmental, Health and
Safety Management System that conforms with RIOS.
A bell-weather grade, for example, is No. 1 Heavy Melting
Steel. The specification reads as follows:
"Wrought iron and/or steel scrap 1/4 inch
and over in thickness. Individual pieces not over
60 x 24 inches (charging box size) prepared in a
manner to insure compact charging."
Major processing equipment may include balers, shears and
shredders with each producing a different product. A baler
produces a square or rectangular block weighing from a few
hundred pounds to a few thousand pounds. Shears slice metals
into designated sizes; while shredders fragmentize metal
into fist-size pieces.
This processed scrap is sold to an industrial consumer, a
mill or foundry, for melting into new products; be it sheet,
plate, structural, shapes, reinforcing bar or other forms.
These items are now sold to other manufacturers to produce
new automobiles, stoves, bicycles, beverage cans, buildings
or other consumer goods. Then, once again, the recycling
process is repeated. This procedure is used for every type
of material, whether it is metal, paper, glass, plastic or
rubber.
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Scrap
Processors Recycle Today For A Better Tomorrow
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Energy
Savings Resulting From Scrap Processing & Recycling
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95%
Aluminum
74% Iron & Steel
60% Zinc
30% Glass
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85% Copper
65% Lead
64% Paper
+80% Plastic
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