Steel Recycling
In 2011, Timken recycled 2 million tons of scrap, including more than 730,000 tons of scrap from our own operations. This is equivalent to recycling more than 1.35 million automobiles into new steel. Our use of recovered scrap significantly improves environmental impacts by reducing conserving natural resources, saving energy and lowering emissions resulting from manufacturing production and power consumption. Click here to view a video about our recycling efforts.
Waste Reduction, Recycling and Water Conservation
Like our families, neighbors and the broader community, we are doing our part to reduce the waste going to landfills through reuse and recycling. Waste at Timken can be generated from production, maintenance and administrative activities. While we recycle many waste materials from our offices and facilities, we continue to look for additional opportunities to improve our environmental footprint through waste reduction and recycling.
Recycling Electric Arc Furnace Dust
We have found an alternative use for an industrial waste stream that would otherwise have been sent to landfills: dust from electric arc furnaces. When we produce steel in an electric arc furnace, we generate furnace dust. This byproduct is classified as a hazardous waste, and in the past it was sent to a landfill. Timken identified a recycling partner who can process this dust into crude zinc oxide or metal concentrates that can either be sold or recycled, keeping more than 21,000 tons of waste from entering landfills in 2011.
Recycling through Acid Recovery
We recycle more than three million gallons of “pickle liquor” annually at our acid recovery facility. By recycling the pickle liquor, an acid solution used in our steelmaking process, we generated more than 2,700 tons of ferrous sulfate crystals in 2011. The crystals have an environmental and economic benefit: they can be recycled and then sold for commercial products, like magnetic tape and fertilizer.
Recycling Metal and Grinding Debris
One of our largest waste streams is metal and grinding debris – known as swarf – created by our bearing machining processes. We recycle some swarf in our steel operations and continue to look for opportunities to recycle more. Swarf is recognized as a significant waste stream in metalworking applications around the world. Our goal is to find a way to reduce this waste material through effective recycling and reuse efforts.
One example is the Timken bearing plant in Lincolnton, N.C., which processes its grinding swarf through a compactor to remove the liquid from the solids, allowing for improved recycling. In 2011, the plant recycled nearly 3.9 million pounds of swarf. Companywide, we have recycled over 11 million pounds of swarf. Timken is partnering with other members of the World Bearing Association to identify swarf recycling opportunities globally.
Recycling Materials
Our facilities also recycle waste materials such as office paper, aluminum cans, wooden pallets, and plastic bottles. In 2011, over 25 million pounds of these materials were recycled. When remodeling or closing Timken facilities, we donate used furniture, equipment, and even carpet to local schools and non-profit organizations, further reducing waste sent to landfills.
Water Recycling
Our recycling practices extend beyond solid waste to include a closed loop water recycling process in our bearing and steel operations in Canton, Ohio. In those operations alone, we recycle approximately 30 million gallons of water every day, enough to fill 45 Olympic-size swimming pools.
Reducing Waste From Packaging
As we implemented changes to our manufacturing processes over the years, we have taken advantage of opportunities to work with suppliers and customers to design returnable and reusable packaging solutions. As a result, Timken saves more than 6 million pounds of waste annually from entering landfills.
Working with our supply partners, Timken now specifies standard pallet and container sizes that allow for multiple reuse. For original equipment customers, Timken has eliminated cartons for individual bearing components packed in standard-size boxes. The mutual benefit for Timken and its customers is greater pack density, which has reduced waste, labor and packaging material costs.