The Steel Recycling Institute (SRI) was established in late 1988 as the Steel Can Recycling Institute, a not-for-profit trade association with the mission of promoting and sustaining steel can recycling. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA, it was formed by eight North American steel companies and the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). The Institute's focus was a grassroots effort to implement steel can recycling in communities across North America. To facilitate this activity, regional offices were established. Regional managers worked directly with public recycling offices, private recyclers, haulers, ferrous scrap dealers, end markets and others who were involved in steel recycling. The headquarters office coordinated the development of recycling operations, government affairs, marketing and public relations. In 1992, an office was established in Washington, DC to monitor federal legislation.

By spring of 1993, the organization expanded its focus to encompass the recycling of all steel products--taking on its current name.

SRI continues its grassroots efforts to work directly with the public and private sectors to expand and grow steel recycling and is an active business unit of the AISI, building environmental preference for steel through credibly communicating steel's sustainable advancements.

While recycling rates for steel products continue to increase, the most impressive figure is the overall steel recycling rate of 88 percent; this rate has exceeded 50 percent for more than a half century.

SRI continues to support the vision of making steel the material that augments the well being of people and the planet.