Scrap Industry News

ISRI CHECKS ON STATUS OF SCRAP INDUSTRY IN HURRICANE DAMAGED AREA

While still early in the cleanup process, a preliminary report from the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), Washington, estimates that 30 of its member company locations may have been damaged in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Chuck Carr, vice president of member services, meetings, marketing and communications for ISRI, says there are 80 scrap facilities in the three states most affected by the hurricane: Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. Of these 80 locations, a total of 30 facilities are assumed to have sustained at least some damage. Further, Carr says, six facilities are in the zip codes where most of the devastation took place.

In a letter from ISRI Chair and Vice President of Tennessee Valley Recycling Joel Denbo, dated Sept. 9, he writes, "We have tallied well over $1 million in donations to the American Red Cross and other charities. Many of our member companies are matching donations by their employees. Some are matching contributions from customers—even accepting donations of scrap—with the proceeds going to hurricane relief." Denbo also writes that the Bureau of International Recycling has matched ISRI’s initial donation of $5,000 to the Red Cross.

Separately, Metal Management Inc., Chicago, announced that as of mid-September, New Orleans-based recycler Southern Recycling LLC was operating "at approximately 80 percent capacity" in the Gulf region, but with its New Orleans facility located on the industrial canal still inaccessible and awaiting the restoration of power. Metal Management owns a 28.5 percent stake in Southern Recycling LLC. The company is already working with disaster officials to accept debris.

ISRI is hosting a Hurricane Katrina Response page on www.isri.org that serves as a clearinghouse for assistance offers to those in the scrap industry affected by the hurricane.