What is the Steel Scrap Recycling Policy?

Steel is the most sustainable economy-friendly material since it can be used, re-used, and recycled indefinitely. While iron ore represents the major raw material for steel production, discarded or re-used steel in the condition of Scrap is the industry’s alternative raw resource. For this scraping process, the National Steel Authority released some Key Points of the Steel Scrap Recycling Policy. The need for the steel scrap recycling policy arises because we produce lots of steel waste daily, which negatively impacts the environment. So the impact of the Steel Scrap Recycling Policy and steel scraping process has a great value in the socio-economic field.

The Steel Scrap Recycling Policy

The National Steel Policy 2017 (NSP-2017) seeks to establish an internationally competitive steel economy by 2030, with 35-40% from the EAF/IF route. This Scrap Policy only strengthens the function of the NSP-2017 in ensuring scrap classification (in terms of quality), gathering, treatment, and recycling. The strategy aims to create a  framework for scientifically conducting processes to ensure a reliable and consistent supply of processed scrap for the bottom industry. Mill scrap used structural items like beams, strengthened steel & plates, machinery and equipment including tubes, obsolete automobiles, household products, automobile scraps, shipbuilding industry, railways, etc.

Objective

The Steel Scrap Recycling Policy aims to achieve the following goals: 

• Encourage a circular economy in the steel sector; ii. enhance the formal and systematic collection, dismantling, and treatment processes for end-of-life commodities that are examples of recyclable (ferrous, nonferrous, and other non-metallic) scrap metal, resulting in resource recovery and energy savings establishment of an ecologically responsible ferrous scrap processing system.
• Item processing and recycling are orderly, safe, and environmentally friendly.
• Involve all holders in the development of a responsive ecosystem.
• Produce high-quality iron scrap for high-quality steel manufacture, reducing import reliance.

Working Model

In the previous two decades, increasing vehicle manufacturing and greater usage of consumer durable white goods and their quick obsolescence have resulted in significant volumes of end-of-life items. Consequently, a steady stream of ferrous scrap metal for recycling in steel manufacture will be generated. A centre and spoke model is proposed to handle the issue of collecting such end-of-life items for boosting scrap creation in India to regulate the informal recycling industry based on ecological and scientific fronts.

A scrap production plant should either be set up or be affiliated with the collecting and dismantling centre. They shall give over the depolluted, white products and other leftovers to the designated scrap processing centre without legal responsibilities or liabilities.

One of the major challenges in developing a safe and cost-effective system for inbound untreated products/scrap and departing processed scraps to melting factories arises the need for the Steel Scrap Recycling Policy principle. As a result, by the National Logistic Policy, scrapping centres (collection, disassembly, and recycling) must be supported by suitable logistic facilities. Establishing an efficient logistic structure will prevent pilferage and promote environmentally friendly containerised transit.

The growth of multifunctional logistics parks would be aided by developing these centres near roads, industrial routes, railway rail lines, and the Sagarmala project. As the industry develops, the establishment of ECO parks/recycling zones containing scrapping/recycling centres and the user secondary steel sector business will aid in strengthening economic activity in the surrounding areas while also creating substantial job prospects.

 Guidelines

• Because of the vast size and volume of scraps to be processed, the disassembling facilities should be located in a big area with enough room for vehicular mobility, storage of goods, and recyclable material recovery.
• It must meet the requirements for an appropriate gated area to manage, depollute, and deconstruct ELVs, white goods, and other scraps and a facility to measure radiation, as required for scrap import. Materials management machines will be required in ELVs to reduce the human influence and promote safe workplaces.
• Equipment, storage, and processing of separated waste streams should all be accommodated in the facility. It should also have enough competent and qualified personnel to manage and operate such a plant safely and efficiently in an environmentally sustainable way.
• For the actions indicated, such as shredding, shearing, baling, slitting, etc., the facility should have adequate equipment and employ the best available technology as it evolves. These are the  Key Points of the Steel Scrap Recycling Policy.

Impact of the Steel Scrap Recycling Policy

The impact of the Steel Scrap Recycling policy is good in our daily life. For example, Scrap will save 1.1 tonnes of iron ore, 630 kg of coking coal, and 55 kg of limestone for every scrap ton. Particular energy usage will be reduced from roughly 14 MJ/Kg in the BF/BOF route to less than 11 MJ/Kg in the EAF/IF route, resulting in a 16- 17 percent saving of energy.

Conclusion

The policy aims to establish an Environmentally Sound Management System for ferrous scrap, which will inspire ferrous scrap processing and recycling through organised and scientific metal scrapping centres across India, reducing reliance on scrap imports and making India self-sufficient in scrap availability. This will also help the steel industry to be more resource-efficient. The key points of the steel scrap recycling policy must be implemented in line with state-of-the-art environmentally friendly technology and following applicable Acts, rules, and regulations, as determined by the Ministry of Steel or its appointed agency or other authorised statutory organisations.