US Scrap Recycling Industry Expands by 40% in 2010

Date: September 2, 2011

Source: Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc.

According to the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), the US scrap recycling industry rebounded sharply in 2010, generating $77 billion in revenues, rising 40 percent from $54 billion in 2009 when it was impacted by collapsing prices amid the global recession. ISRI's latest report says that the industry added 10,000 jobs in 2010 and now employs over 130,000 people, paying an average wage of $66,704. The industry also indirectly supports an additional 321,500 jobs through suppliers and industry expenditures. "This Labor Day 450,000 people are working because of the strength of the U.S. scrap recycling industry," said Robin Wiener, ISRI President. "This number will continue to grow with the recognition that the scrap recycling industry can boost our economy, improve our trade deficit, and protect our environment and natural resources." According to the report, last year the industry processed 74 million tons of ferrous scrap and 8 million tons of nonferrous scrap, and exported nearly 44 million tons of processed materials including iron and steel, aluminum, nickel and stainless steel, copper, paper, plastics, lead, zinc, rubber and electronics.


PRESS RELEASE
September 6, 2011

This Labor Day ISRI Applauds the 450,000 Americans Working in the U.S Scrap Recycling Industry

Washington, D.C. – Despite an overall gloomy job environment this Labor Day, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc. (ISRI), will be celebrating the fact that the people and firms that purchase, process and broker scrap materials to be manufactured into new products provide 459,140 people with good jobs in the United States. ISRI applauds these men and women for being at the heart of this growing industry.

In 2011, 137,640 jobs are being supported by the manufacturing and brokerage operations of the scrap recycling industry in the United States. These jobs are paying on average a wage of $66,704. In addition to this, 321,500 jobs are indirectly supported by the scrap recycling industry through suppliers and industry expenditures.

"This Labor Day 450,000 people are working because of the strenghth of the U.S. scrap recycling industry," said Robin Wiener, ISRI President. "This number will continue to grow with the recognition that the scrap recycling industry can boost our economy, improve our trade deficit, and protect our environment and natural resources."

The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI) has released a study highlighting both the economic and environmental impact of the US scrap recycling industry. The study, commissioned by ISRI and undertaken by John Dunham and Associates, looks at different kinds of economic activity – jobs and exports – and both direct and indirect economic impacts at the national, state and congressional district levels.

The economic study can be viewed in its entirety at www.isri.org/2011scrapjobstudy. The site is equipped with an interactive map that will allow users to not only see the impact that the US scrap recycling industry is having nationally, but also the contributions that are being made to individual states and congressional districts.

For more information, contact:
Melissa Merz
VP, Communication & Marketing
melissamerz@isri.org
202-662-8510

Kevin Lawlor
Director, Communications
kevinlawlor@isri.org.
202-662-8525


FROM WEBSITE

Study Shows Scrap Recycling Industry Supports More than 450,000 American Jobs While Generating $10.3 Billion in Revenue for Federal, State and Local Governments

ISRI has released a new study highlighting the significant economic and environmental impact of the U.S. scrap recycling industry. The study, commissioned by ISRI and undertaken by John Dunham and Associates, looks at different kinds of economic activity – jobs and exports – and both direct and indirect economic impacts at the national, state and congressional district levels.

The economic analysis shows that the U.S. scrap recycling industry is a major economic engine powerful enough to create 459,131 jobs and generate $10.3 billion in tax revenues for governments across the country, all while making the old new again and helping to protect the earth's air, water and land for future generations.

"This study illustrates very clearly that the U.S. scrap recycling industry is playing an important role in America's economic recovery," ISRI President Robin Wiener said. "Despite tough times, our industry is directly and indirectly putting more than 450,000 people to work while generating revenue for federal, state and local governments. All this adds up to recognition that the scrap recycling industry must be allowed to grow so it can continue to boost our economy, put people to work protect our environment and help save energy. When people think of recycling, they think of the bin at the curb when in fact our industry is a multi-billion-dollar ‘Made in America' manufacturing success story."

The U.S. scrap recycling industry is particularly important because its operations are so widespread. In fact, the total economic activity generated by scrap recycling in the United States is more than $90.6 billion, making the industry similar in size to the nation's forestry and fishing industries combined.

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