One tonne of recycled steel saves 1.4 tonnes of iron ore and 3.6 barrels of oil.
In 2000, it is estimated that Manitoba produced 656 920 tonnes
of industrial, commercial, institutional, and construction and
demolition waste. In the Final Report of the Regional Waste Management Task Force they define the different sources of waste as the following:
Residential Waste:
Solid wastes generated in single and multiple-family homes.
Commercial Waste:
Solid
waste originated from wholesale, retail, or service establishments such
as office buildings, stores, market, theatres, hotels and warehouses.
Institutional Waste:
Solid wastes originated from schools, hospitals, laboratory, and other public buildings.
Industrial Waste:
Solid wastes discarded from industrial operations or derived from manufacturing process.
The Industrial, Commercial and Institutional waste stream is often referred to as "IC&I".
Manitobans are Reducing Waste!
At this time it is hard to calculate how much industrial, commercial
and institutional waste is being diverted from the landfills across the
Province. There are a number of examples of waste reduction programs in
the IC&I sector. For example, the Manitoba Product Stewardship Corporation has two waste reduction programs that focus on schools. The STAR program for K-12 schools and STAR Plus
program for post-secondary institutions provide funding and resources
to promote and implement recycling programs. The Ecoville Industrial
Park provides other examples of how Manitobans in the IC&I sector
are reducing waste. If you have waste that you would like to sell or
give away to someone who could use it visit the Materials Exchange
Did you know that metal recycling is the most mature and highly developed of all recycling industries?
What is scrap metal?
There are many products that would be classified as scrap
metal. Many of these products are common products that you probably use
everyday. Some examples of commonly recycled scrap metal products
include:
Automobiles
Bed Frames and Mattress Springs
Bicycles
Farm Equipment
Food and Beverage Containers
Electrical Wire
Small Household Appliances and White Goods
Scrap metal can be divided into two types: ferrous and nonferrous.
Ferrous Metals
- Ferrous scrap is scrap iron and steel. This includes scrap from old
automobiles, farm equipment, mining equipment, household appliances,
steel beams, railroad tracks, ships, and food packaging and other
containers. Ferrous scrap accounts for the largest volume of metal
scrapped. Ferrous scrap is classified into almost 80 grades;
additionally, there are another 40 grades of railroad ferrous scrap and
even more grades of alloy scrap. Metal alloys are made from a
combination of two or more metals. Ferrous metals are magnetic.
Nonferrous Metals
- Nonferrous scrap metal is scrap metal other than iron and steel.
While the volume of nonferrous scrap is less than ferrous scrap, it is
more valuable by the pound. Some examples of nonferrous scrap are:
aluminum, copper, lead, zinc, nickel, titanium, cobalt, chromium, and
precious metals. Nonferrous metals are not magnetic.
Scrap Metal Recycling In Manitoba
Currently, there is not a stewardship group designated to
assist in the collection and recycling of scrap metal in Manitoba.
Despite the lack of a coordinated program many communities across the
province are reducing waste by collecting scrap metal. Scrap Metal is
usually collected by small independent operators and operators
contracted to a scrap metal processor or dealer. The independent
operators haul the scrap to either a dealer or directly to the
processor. Once the scrap arrives at a dealer scrap yard, the dealer
usually uses various methods of sorting, and compacting the material
(separating more valuable metals from the scrap steel). Then the dealer
ships the material to the scrap metal processor. The scrap arrives at
the processor either on trucks, or in rail cars, where it is unloaded
and processed.
Two
of the largest scrap metal processors in North America have facilities
in Manitoba: Mandak Metals and General Scrap. Mandak Metals is a
subsidiary of Manitoba Rolling Mills Gerdau (MRM Gerdau) both of which
are located in Selkirk. MRM Gerdau operates a steel mill, which melts
down the scrap that is processed by Mandak Metals. General Scrap is a
subsidiary of IPSCO which operates a steel mill in Regina.
One
example of how Manitobans are reducing scrap metal waste is a pilot
project being planned to recycle scrap metal from northern communities
of Manitoba and Nunavut. The provincial and federal governments and
organizations such as North Central Development and earthbound
environmental Inc. are developing this pilot project to encourage
recycling of scrap metal. Implementation is planned for the summers of
2004 and 2005.
What are ozone depleting substances and why is this important to know when recycling scrap metal?
A significant part of the scrap metal waste stream, are
household appliances. These appliances are often referred to as "White
Goods". White goods are items such as stoves, freezers, and
refrigerators. Refrigeration equipment contains CFCs. "CFCs
(chlorofluorocarbons) are just one of the many man-made ozone depleting
substances causing the destruction of the 'ozone layer'." Although emissions of CFCs will eventually be reduced through legislative measures, such as Manitoba's Ozone Depleting Substances Act
, the impact of these substances on the ozone layer will continue for
many years because of the longevity of these gases in the atmosphere.
According to the Manitoba Ozone Protection Industry Association
Manitoba is the leader in ozone depletion legislation in Canada. As of
July 1, 1992 only certified technicians may charge, recharge, service
and repair refrigeration and air conditioning units in Manitoba (5,000
certified technicians have been trained, to date, in the province).
Having only certified trained service technicians work on various
systems ensures the recovery of ozone depleting substances for reuse,
recycling, reclamation or recovery for destruction.
If
you are disposing of a white good that contains a refrigerant, such as
a fridge, freezer, or air conditioner be sure to visit the Local Recycling Info page to ensure that you follow the safest disposal procedure for your community.
