Dive Brief:

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Ohio State University have released a report that concludes foundry sands used for soil-related applications are safe for humans and the environment.
• The report suggests that foundry sands made at iron, steel and aluminum foundries offer environmental benefits. 
• The EPA surmised that using foundry sand for certain applications at the current rate could see savings equivalent to the electricity use of 800 households.

Dive Insight:

“There is potential for substantial growth in the recycling of silica-based spent foundry sands," Mathy Stanislaus, assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response said. "Advancing the environmentally sound, beneficial use of industrial materials, such as spent foundry sands, provides substantial opportunities for addressing climate change and air quality, enhancing state, tribal and local partnerships, reducing costs, and working toward a sustainable future.”