Scrap has been an important
export commodity from the US
for more than a century.

In 2006:
$15.7 billion worth of scrap
commodities exported, helping
U.S. trade balances.

Second-largest export to China
in dollar value (behind electronic
components).

• 34 million tons of scrap exported

• 16 million metric tons of paper

• 13,540,000 metric tons of iron
and steel

• 1,481,000 metric tons of aluminum

• 1,396,000 metric tons of nickel and stainless steel

• 803,000 metric tons of copper

• 343,000 metric tons of plastic (bottles only)

• 121,000 metric tons of lead

• 84,000 metric tons of zinc

• 7 milion tires

Scrap exported to 143 countries.
Leading export destinations
include:

• China
• Canada
• South Korea
• Mexico
• Germany
• Taiwan
• Turkey
• Japan
• United Kingdom
• India