There are many byproducts from the metalcasting process and its related finishing and machining processes which have value when beneficially re-used onsite, or when offered for offsite use.
- Sand- “green sand” and core sand
- Slag
- Metals
- Grinding dust
- Blast machine fines
- Baghouse dust
- Scrubber waste
- Spent shot beads
- Refractories
- Electric arc furnace dust
- Electric arc furnace carbide graphite electrodes
- Steel drums, other empty containers and packing and packaging materials
- Pallets or skids
- Wax
- Steel drums
- Used oil, oil filters, oil contaminated sorbents, or oil contaminated rags
- Universal wastes such as batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, and mercury-containing devices.
- Heat
- General recyclables such as paper, glass, plastics, aluminum cans, and other metals
Waste disposal can be minimized by finding ways to reuse each waste generated and by finding paths to reuse or recycle byproducts onsite or finding off site markets interested in these products.
NOTE: Spent sand alone is one of the byproducts that contributes most significantly toward the largest volume and weight of materials beneficially used. For that reason, many of the resources provided on this web page are dedicated to promoting beneficial re-use of sand.
The metalcasting industry recycles at all phases of the manufacturing process, including:
- Purchase of recycled-content materials and components as feedstock;
- Use and reuse of a variety of materials within the melting and molding processes
- Produce recyclable products for customers
- Supplies secondary markets with usable byproducts generated by metalcasting facilities
Sustainability in Metalcasting
Recycling isn't the only way foundries contribute to environmental efforts. Click here to learn more about sustainability in metalcasting.