The World Steel Association's Packaging Committee has calculated that an estimated 5.2 million tons of steel tanks were recycled and remelted into new steel products in 2003. This shows that the recovery rate by weight percentage reaches 62.7% of the steel packaging material, which is 2% higher than that in 2002 and 5.2% higher than that in 2001. This recovery rate was calculated from the information gathered by the members of the International Steel Association (SIL) in seven regions of the world.
The recycling of steel packaging materials is very important to the industry and is also the focus of the packaging committee. Industry recognized 10 years ago that steel packaging materials had a short life span. According to the magnetic conductivity of steel, necessary procedures and facilities were developed to ensure that steel packaging could be separated from waste streams into recyclable logistics. The steelmaking process requires the use of recycled materials to produce new steel. Almost all new steels contain recycled steel. This demand makes steel the most recycled material.
The energy saved from the recovery of the seven steel tanks can be used to light the 60W bulb for 26 hours. Steel cans can be recycled without deterioration, which makes steel very suitable for packaging materials. If all materials can be recovered at a rate of 60% or more, the potential for energy savings is conceivable.
