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(Washington, DC) – In recognition of the 47th Earth Day today, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) is joining individuals and organizations around the world in celebration of the earth and what can be done to preserve it. Earth Day, started in 1970, takes place annually on April 22 in a worldwide effort to save and nurture the environment of which recycling plays a crucial role.

“Earth Day reminds us of the vital role we all must play in order to protect the earth,” said Robin Wiener, president of ISRI. “As the original green industry, recyclers understand the vital role the industry plays in the protection, preservation, and future of the planet. ISRI, together with our members, serves as an environmental steward, promoting recycling at all levels, educating future generations on the importance of recycling, and encouraging manufacturers to design products with recycling and earth conservation in mind.”

Each year the scrap recycling industry recycles roughly 130 million metric tons of materials, thereby transforming society’s outdated and obsolete products and materials into useful raw materials needed to produce new products. In doing so, the scrap recycling industry has made great savings in both energy and natural resources and thus has had an extremely positive impact on our environment. Further, by purchasing products at the end of their life and processing them back into raw materials used in the manufacturing of new products, scrap recycling reduces the need for virgin materials, such as iron ore, trees, and other natural resources. Recycling reduces energy consumption and the emission of greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change, while helping to maintain a steady supply of raw materials for the U.S. and global economies.

Earth Day Recycling Facts:

• The total estimated reduction in C02 emissions from scrap recycling globally is approximately 410 million tons per year.
• Recycling one car saves the energy equivalent of 450 gallons of gasoline and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 8,811 lbs.
• There is up to 87 percent reduction in energy consumption when producing recycled plastic compared to producing plastic from virgin materials.
• Recycling one ton of paper saves 3.3 cubic yards of landfill.
• Recycling one plastic bottle conserves enough energy to light a 60 watt bulb for up to six hours.

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The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI) is the Voice of the Recycling Industry. ReMA represents approximately 1,300 companies in 21 chapters in the U.S. and 34 countries worldwide that process, broker and consume scrap commodities, including metals, paper, plastics, glass, rubber, electronics, and textiles. With headquarters in Washington, DC, ReMA provides education, advocacy, safety and compliance training, and promotes public awareness of the vital role recycling plays in the U.S. economy, global trade, the environment, and sustainable development. Generating more than $105 billion annually in U.S. economic activity, the scrap recycling industry provides nearly half a million Americans with good jobs.