I11 – Considered legislation could inhibit recycling efforts

While Canadians are strongly in favor of “more” recycling, few are aware of the extent to which recycling is already a fact, particularly in the metal industries. A recent survey of Canadian elite decision leaders, including political workers, public servants and journalists, asked what proportion of stainless steel ought to be recycled, and what proportion is recycled. Respondents believed on average that 53% ought to be recycled but that only 15% is recycled.

In actual fact, according to Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), some 50% of North American consumption of stainless steel is already met from secondary sources. Corresponding figures for other metals are: over 30% for aluminum, over 40% for copper, iron and steel and 55% for lead.

Canada’s electric steel mills rely totally on scrap for feedstock. And most of our nonferrous smelters, refineries and foundries gain a significant part of their feed from secondary sources. They include traditional forms of scrap metal, used circuit boards and process residues from other industries, for example, metal- containing slags, dusts and dross. Providing the capacity for recycling metals is an important contribution of the metals and minerals industry to sustainable development.

While the man in the street is becoming familiar with recycled paper, most of us are unaware of the scope and range of recycling activities being carried out behind the scenes in other industries. These include recovery of used solvents, reprocessing of oil refinery side streams, recycling of used catalysts and chemical residues, plastics, lubricating oil and so forth.

The image of the untidy junk dealer is no longer accurate. Many of these recycling operations (for example the recovery of lead from car batteries) are carried out in capital-intensive modern facilities where pollution control is paramount and accounts for a major share of the costs.

Because the recycling industry is going quietly about its business, it is often overlooked when laws are made. A well-intentioned regulation may turn into a nightmare if the relevant market factors are ignored in its formulation.

For example, certain U.S. states have enacted legislation that requires all newsprint used in the state to contain up to 40% recycled fibre. This provision ignored the fact that Canadian newsprint suppliers had neither the required de-inking facilities nor the supply of used paper to comply. Plants are now being built at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars, and scrap paper is being imported to supply them.

In another case, when Environment Canada drafted its export-import regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act to give effect to the Basel Convention on the Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Waste and Other Wastes, the potential impact on the recycling industries was completely overlooked. Incidentally, Canadian newsprint mills are now concerned that their supply of imported scrap paper may be disrupted by these same regulations.

In an effort to gain more understanding for the recycling industry, a coalition of business associations is funding a consultant’s study of the nature of the sector. Sponsoring organizations include The Mining Association of Canada, Canadian Steel Producers Association, Canadian Association of Recycling Industries, Canadian Secondary Lead Smelters’ Association and possibly Canadian Manufacturers Association and Canadian Pulp and Paper Association. The results will be presented to Environment Canada to assist in making a valid assessment of the impact of the export-import regulations.

Findings of the study, being carried out by Hickling Corp., will also be released as a contribution to public knowledge of this important area. Watch this space.005 0000,0606 George Miller is the president of The Mining Association of Canada.