2008 Sector Performance Report - US Environmental Protection ...

Waste Management
Reported to TRI
high recycling rate derives partly from the nature of the
industry; if a problem occurs in the casting, the defective
product can be melted down and cast again, on or offsite.
In 2005, the sector reported managing 177 million absolute The quantity of waste managed in 2005 was 34% less
lbs. of TRI chemicals as waste. Of the TRI waste managed than in 1996, with little change in the sector’s quantity of
(which included disposal and recycling), 56% was reported product shipped. In 2005, 28% of TRI-reported waste was
by nonferrous facilities; ferrous metal casting accounted disposed or released, while 8% was treated and 64% was
for 44%. Both nonferrous and ferrous facilities recycle recycled. Foundry sand was recycled onsite and offsite. 18
extensively, though nonferrous facilities recycle a higher In 2005, 45.7 million lbs. of TRI chemicals were disposed
percentage. About two-thirds of the materials the sector to land or transferred to offsite locations for disposal.
reported to TRI as waste in 2005 were recycled. 17 The
Figure 3
TRI Waste Management 1996–2005
250,000,000 Disposal or Other Releases 22%
Treatment 122%
1996 total: 266.4 million lbs Energy Recovery 70%
200,000,000
Recycling 43%
Normalized lbs
150,000,000
2005 total: 175.6 million lbs
34%
100,000,000
50,000,000
0
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Notes:
1. Normalized by ferrous and nonferrous shipments.
2. Disposal or other releases include air releases, water discharges, and land disposals.
Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, American Foundry Society
76 Metal Casting 2008 SECTOR PERFORMANCE REPORT