Scrap steel reduces related water pollution, air pollution, and mining wastes by about 70%. It takes four times as much energy to make steel from virgin ore. Annually, enough energy is saved by recycling steel to supply the city of Los Angeles with almost a decade worth of electricity.

Source: National Polymers Inc.

Recycled steel cans are used to make new steel products including cars, bridges, lawnmowers, stoves, and construction materials. Over 5400 BTU's of energy are conserved for every pound of steel recycled. The steel industry's annual recycling saves the equivalent energy to electrically power about 18 million households for a year. Every time a ton of steel is recycled, 2500 pounds of iron ore, 1000 pounds of coal and 40 pounds of limestone is preserved.

Source: School and College Magazine/ June 1993

Estimated energy savings achieved by manufacturing products with nonferrous scrap:
Aluminum 95%
Copper 85%
Lead 65%
Zinc 60%

Raw materials of metallic scrap processing and recycling:
Aluminum, iron, copper, zinc, tin, lead, nickel, chromium, cobalt, molybdenum, tungsten, magnesium, manganese, titanium, zirconium, columbium, tantalum, gold, silver, and platinum.

Benefits of using Iron and Steel (ferrous metals) instead of virgin ore to make new steel:
Savings in energy 74%
Savings in virgin materials 90%
Reduction in water use 40%
Reduction in water pollution 76%
Reduction in air pollution 86%
Reduction in mining wastes 97%
Reduction in consumer waste generated 105%

Source: Institute of Scrap Recycling industries