These types of paper are used to make new kinds of paper - ranging from the paper type used for this fact sheet, to fine tissue products. Compared to the other grades, high grades have an increased monetary value. Metals Steel mills in Oklahoma and Texas ensure a stable demand for ferrous metals generated in Oklahoma. Ferrous metal opportunities in the waste stream range from appliances, to food containers. Scrap metal businesses are markets throughout the state.
Aluminum recycling is a national success story.
Aluminum waste is easy to identify, collect, sort, and prepare for secondary sale. Since most bauxite, the ore from which aluminum is made, is imported, recycling has become America's largest source of aluminum. Tremendous energy savings from using recycled aluminum, rather than virgin ore, help to create the metal's relatively high monetary value. With markets located throughout the state, every community can offer some type of aluminum recycling program. Plastics Plastics make up an increasingly large volume of the waste stream.