Washington, D.C. – To kick off the July 4th holiday weekend, The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI), has released a “Did You Know?” fact sheet detailing the patriotic roots of the recycling industry here in the United States.
These facts highlight the humble beginnings of an American industry whose roots date back before the Revolutionary War and today has grown to process approximately 130 million tons of materials annually. The industry helps to strengthen the U.S. economy, create new jobs, protect the environment by reducing air and water pollution and save energy that otherwise would be expended on processing virgin materials.
Did You Know…?
- In the early 1700s, American colonists collected scrap rags to begin making paper for a new American currency.
- As America declares independence from England, silversmith and “midnight rider,” Paul Revere begins advertising for scrap metal of all kinds to be melted down in his shop in preparation of the war effort.
- Publisher and American Patriot, Benjamin Franklin, begins using reconstituted scrap paper to print newspapers and pamphlets.
- Due to shortages of raw materials during WWI, the federal government created the Waste Reclamation Service with the Motto – “Don’t Waste it Save It.” The effort both better prepares U.S. troops for combat and readies the nation for a much larger recycling effort.
- WWII again saw raw material shortages, leading to creation of the War Production Boards Salvage Division charged with promoting nationwide recycling. Americans pledged to “Get in the Scrap,” and began contributing various materials.