The ORA is a group of businesses that espouse every aspect of the scrap industry because every issue is an ORA issue. Our group of professionals offer assistance with industry compliance in areas of safety, transportation and the environment. ORA membership makes you part of a global collective with state and local ties.

Who we are

We are a group of scrap metal recycling companies that range from family owned, single proprietors yards, to regional companies such as Yaffe Metals with 13 locations in four states, and global companies like Commercial Metals Inc. which have operations in 13 countries and over 13,000 employees. We have joined together to work for the greater good of the industry as a whole. The ORA provides earnest and unbiased assistance to all of its members.

Giving back

The Oklahoma Recyclers Association and it's members are involved in a wide array of community projects.

Our members have supported "Shop With A Cop" programs across the state. The ORA and the Oklahoma City area members helped to support the "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren" holiday program in 2009. Our organization is always ready to assist our local churches, schools and law enforcement with their charitable programs. If you would like more information on programs we support or if you would like to apply for an Oklahoma Recyclers Association grant, please contact us.

Recycling Facts

• The steel industry has been recycling for over 150 years.
• Cars are one of the most recyclable products on the planet. Professional automotive recyclers have discovered ingenious ways to reuse most of their materials.
• Automotive recyclers scrap over 10 million vehicles each year. In doing so, they keep 11 million tons of steel and 800,000 tons of non-ferrous metals (aluminum, copper, zinc and lead) out of landfills.
• One ton of recycled steel saves 2,500 pounds of iron ore, 1,400 pounds of coal and 120 pounds of limestone.
• A steel frame for a 2,000 sq foot two-story house is equivalent to the material of about six recycled cars.  A comparable wooden frame would take over 40 trees to produce.
• A typical household appliance is produced using approximately 65 percent steel.
• In 1972, it took approximately 22 empty, aluminum cans to weigh one pound. Due to advanced technology to use less material and increase durability of aluminum cans, it now takes about 34 empty aluminum cans to weigh one pound.
• It takes 400 years for aluminum to break down naturally. 
• The average employee consumes 2.5 beverages a day while at work.
• Tossing away one aluminum can, wastes as much energy as pouring out half of that can’s volume of gasoline.