How do foundries save energy and reduce pollution?
Making castings from recycled metal products saves energy and conserves resources. Since foundries produce castings with recycled content, we are able to reduce our needs for raw materials and energy. Processing raw materials places heavy demands on our nation’s energy resources; however, it requires 95% less energy to make castings out of recycled metals. Reprocessing used materials in the foundry industry also has a domino effect by reducing the energy demands for mining, refining and many other metal-related processes. Interestingly, every pound of steel recycled saves 5450 BTUs of energy, enough to light a 60-watt bulb for over 26 hours. Foundries recycle over 14 million tons, or 31.5 million pounds of steel each year . . . enough energy to light the homes of Chicago for one year! Recycling also reduces pollution risks by keeping materials out of disposal facilities. For instance, reusing steel reduces both water and air pollution and saves water, compared to making new steel from
