Recycled Materials: From Everyday Items to Essential Infrastructure

From bridges and cars to cell phones and laptops, recycled materials aren't just critical to our lives—they help to ensure a stronger economy, supply chain, and nation. Discover how America is made with recycled materials.

Spotlighting
Member Stories

Stanton A. Moss Inc. is a father-and-son owned and operated recycled materials company in Pennsylvania.

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The third generation of the Lincoln family runs two recycling centers in northwestern Pennsylvania.

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Nearly 90 million aluminum beverage cans are recycled every minute in the U.S. Learn about how it’s done from ReMA partner the Can Manufacturers Institute.

Lifecycle of a can

Learn how Potomac Metals—a Mid-Atlantic recycling company led by third-generation owner Sarah Zwilsky—drives sustainability and community outreach.

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Four generations of the Shine family have led the Manitoba Corporation in upstate New York.

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We Are

Recycled materials are a more resilient source of raw materials, ensuring less dependence on scarce resources.

Recycled materials provide a renewable source of high-quality material for our essentials, from everyday items to critical infrastructure to lifesaving devices.

Recycled materials help protect our planet by reducing waste and conserving resources.

Creating Better Bridges and Highways with Recycled Materials

Recycled materials are an essential part of our national infrastructure, from bridges to local streets to busy freeways. Our national highway system uses recycled steel and rubber to stay sustainable and safe. Recycled aluminum is also used in pedestrian bridge construction. Recycled materials are an innovative solution to our nation’s infrastructure and have several key benefits, including:

Strengthened Roadways

The steel reinforcing bars (rebar) used in reinforced concrete for roadways consist of at least 95% recycled material, and often 100% recycled material. More than 7 million tons of recycled steel is made into rebar every year.

Economic Growth

75% of a bridge is made with recycled materials. Investing in infrastructure helps to grow the economy by facilitating trade and improving productivity.

Enhanced Road Durability

Rubberized asphalt is not temperature-sensitive, which prevents cracks and potholes, extending the lifespan of roads. Recycled rubber improves traction and drainage, lowering the risk of accidents during wet conditions.

Bridge to the Future

A new 1.5-mile bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor, Canada, will facilitate the movement of recycled materials and bolster the manufacturing supply chain. And it’s partially made from recycled materials, including 4,960 tons of steel rebar, which consists of nearly 100% recycled steel.

How Recycled Materials Drive a Stronger Economy

Manufacturing cars with high-quality recycled materials helps the supply chain be more resilient and secure. Read more about the five recycled materials typically found in your car.

Transportation Relies on Recycled Materials

From the aluminum that makes airplane seats more lightweight to the steel and iron recycled from other vehicles to create the frame and paneling of a new bus, recycled materials are key to efficient, safe, and sustainable transportation.

How Recycled Materials Are Part of Next-Gen Electronics

Manufacturers of electronic devices are increasingly using recycled materials in their products. Apple’s iPhone 16 contains more than 30% recycled materials and the battery of Samsung’s Galaxy 24 Ultra is a minimum of 50% recycled cobalt. Dell uses recycled copper, steel, and cobalt in its PCs, and even computing accessories company Razer is getting into the game with recycled materials in a mouse and keyboard. Learn how recycled materials are powering technology.

The Many Uses of Recycled Paper

So many of the household goods that we use every day come from recycled paper, and some may surprise you. Product packaging like cereal boxes, ready-to-eat meals and even electronics come from recycled paper, as do the cartons these products arrive in when they are delivered to your door. Tissue and paper towels, too. Learn more about the role of recycled paper in your home.

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