Hello! I am a student currently researching on the scrap metal industry in New York, which seems to be one of the fastest growing exports of the US. I wonder if any of you could give me some information on where New York City sends our scrap metal for processing or refinement, and if possible, the quantities by which we send them. Do we have to ship most of our metals to far-away states, or are they melted down somewhere in the city before they are sold to other countries? Also, if we do melt process scrap metal in a dense urban city, how big would the pollution risk be, and how would that be mitigated?



The research is part of a proposal to revive some of the manufacturing jobs in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. I want to know if a scrap metal refinement plant is feasible on that site and if it would be beneficial to the city. Any information is appreciated!