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In Industry
Industry organizations can have a direct positive impact on protecting our environment through recycling industrial waste and materials.
Almost all industrial processes produce waste that can be turned into usable materials. Recycled industrial materials have many of the same properties as the virgin materials they replace. In fact, recycled goods can even improve the product's quality. Coal fly ash, for example, can enhance the strength and durability of concrete.
Recycling industrial materials:
- Preserves our natural resources by decreasing the demand for virgin materials.
- Conserves energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by decreasing the demand for products made from energy-intensive manufacturing processes.
- Saves money by decreasing disposal costs for the generator and decreasing the cost of materials for end users.
EPA has identified three primary areas for industry materials recycling:
- Coal Combustion
- Construction and Demolition Debris
- Foundry Sand
Resources
Industrial Materials Recycling: Managing Resources for Tomorrow
Provides information and resources for recycling industrial materials, particularly EPA's primary areas described above. Presents case studies of successful industrial materials recycling programs.
Waste Materials-Flow Benchmark Sector Report: Beneficial Use of Secondary Materials - Coal Combustion Products (PDF) (52 pp, 357K, About PDF)
Presents important strategies and information for recycling coal combustion products, a key element of EPA's Resource Conservation Challenge.
American Coal Ash Association 
Represents industry professionals and offers information to promote and advance coal combustion products.
Construction Materials Recycling Association
Represents a diverse group of member companies and agencies and offers information to promote safe and economical recycling of construction and demolition materials.
A novel way to upgrade the coarse part of a high calcium fly ash for reuse into cement systems (PDF) (9 pp, 895K, About PDF)
Discusses utilization of fly ash by-products in cement systems, supporting sustainable development principles and contributing directly to protecting the environment.
Using Coal Ash in Highway Construction: A Guide to Benefits and Impacts (PDF) (50 pp, 2.3MB, About PDF)
Provides a wealth of information and numerous examples of recycling coal ash for use in highway and other construction.
Foundry Industry Recycling Starts Today
Provides information about recycling spent foundry sand and other metalcasting byproducts.
