Steel Recycling Institute (SRI)
Forecasts' Future of Recycling
SRI Celebrates 10th Year Anniversary With
Release of New Report
PITTSBURGH, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Will the introduction of light weight
materials impact the near perfect automotive recycling rate in North America?
Will the growing use of residential steel framing revolutionize the way in
which homes of tomorrow are built? Will young Americans support recycling as
they grow older, and help sustain high consumer participation rates in the
future?
In commemoration of its 10 year anniversary, the Steel Recycling Institute
(SRI) released a report today that predicts the outcome to these and other
important recycling-related issues. The report, entitled Steel X 10: A
Forecast for Recycling's Next Decade, reviews recycling's economic and
environmental contributions over the past decade, and addresses specific ways
the issue may evolve in the years ahead.
"Over the last decade the Steel Recycling Institute has worked to advance
consumer awareness of recycling issues," stated Bill Heenan, president of
SRI. "In honor of our ten year anniversary, we are celebrating the past by
focusing on the future. This report predicts how recycling and other steel
related issues will develop as we enter the next millennium."
Steel X 10 contains a series of recycling "forecasts," or trends SRI
believes will transpire over the coming decade. These trends are based on
SRI's 10 years of experience in advancing recycling awareness, and the
predominant role it has played in issues that directly affect solid waste
management. The report provides an in-depth analysis on the present climate
surrounding each focus area, statistical information from various sources and
case study examples that support each corresponding theory. The report also
provides a list of actions SRI plans to engage to sustain, advance or reverse
each highlighted projection.
Trends identified in SRI's report include:
* Funding to promote the importance of recycling will diminish over the next
decade, resulting in the expansion of public/private partnerships to advance
environmental awareness;
* Young Americans will become increasingly apathetic toward the value of
recycling unless greater education efforts are undertaken to promote its
value;
* The demand for scrap steel will increase over the next decade, resulting in
an expansion and diversification of materials accepted for recycling;
* Greater participation in recycling by multi-family and
commercial/institutional facilities over the next decade will prolong the
growth of recycling rates;
* As industries continue to research, identify, develop and utilize new
materials in the manufacture of appliances, the stability of the appliance
recycling infrastructure will be challenged;
* The introduction of lighter weight steel will sustain the near 100 percent
automobile recycling rate in America; and
* By 2002, one out of every four new residential houses built in America will
be constructed with steel framing.
"SRI is encouraged by what the future holds for recycling," Heenan added.
"However, we also recognize that the issue will be challenged by opponents
who will continue to question recycling's value, and seek to impede its
future progress. In light of these barriers, SRI -- through outreach,
education and consumer awareness campaigns -- plans to expand its effort to
raise environmental awareness throughout the next decade. It is our belief
that recycling's best days are yet to come."
The Steel Recycling Institute, an industry association dedicated to promoting
and sustaining steel recycling, is the primary information and technical
resource for recyclers, municipalities, legislators, educators, businesses
and other entities interested in steel recycling. Through its seven regional
offices, SRI works directly with city and county recycling coordinators and
solid waste managers, recycling operators, intermediate processors and end
market buyers.
A copy of Steel X 10: A Forecast for Recycling's Next Decade, can be obtained
from SRI's Web site at: recycle-steel.org.
SOURCE Steel Recycling Institute
CO: Steel Recycling Institute
ST: Pennsylvania
IN: ENV
SU:
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