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THE I SR I SCRAP YEARBOOK
2016
INSTITUTE OF SCRAP RECYCLING INDUSTRIES, INC.
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Rising global demand for scrap is not only good for the
environment, it also provides a useful outlet for our excess
scrap supply. U.S. export sales of scrap also significantly
benefit the U.S. trade balance. According to figures from
the U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. International Trade
Commission, the United States exported more than 37
million metric tons of scrap commodities valued at $17.5
billion in 2015. Recovered paper and ferrous scrap exports
typically represent the bulk of U.S. scrap exports by volume,
accounting for more than 31 million metric tons combined
last year, while nonferrous and precious metal scrap have
some of the highest per-unit scrap values. Major export
destinations for U.S. scrap last year included China ($6
billion), Canada ($2 billion), South Korea ($1 billion), Turkey
($930 million), Mexico ($920 million) and India ($900 million).
Did you know that since 2000, net exports of U.S. scrap
have made a positive contribution to our balance of trade
amounting to more than $210 billion?
$0
$50,000,000,000
$100,000,000,000
$150,000,000,000
$200,000,000,000
$250,000,000,000
Cumulative Impact of Net U.S. Scrap Exports on U.S.
Trade Balance Since 2000 ($)
Source: US Census Bureau/US International Trade Commission
Scrap Exports And Our Trade Balance