US recycling industry’s multi-billion worth

United States – In 2012, the US scrap recycling industry generated US$ 87 billion (Euro 63 billion) in economic activity while more than US$ 10 billion (Euro 7.3 billion) in federal, state and local tax revenue was collected, according to the latest yearbook published by the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI).

In 2012, recyclers in the USA together processed 135 million tonnes of scrap metal, paper, plastics, electronics, textiles, glass and rubber. Furthermore, some 47 million tonnes of scrap commodities valued at nearly US$ 28 billion (Euro 20.5 billion) were exported to 160 countries.

‘Looking back, 2012 was a roller-coaster year for both the recycling industry and overall US economy,’ comments ISRI’s chief economist Joe Pickard. ISRI’s annual Scrap Yearbook 2013 offers an in-depth look at the US scrap recycling industry, how it has responded to challenges and the implications for the future.

For more information, visit: www.isri.org