Steel Slag Recycling Service

We recycle and broker steelmaking slag—including BOF, EAF, and ladle slag from active operations and legacy stockpiles. The ideal outlet depends on the specs of your slag like chemistry, aging, grading, and intended use. (e.g., aggregate / road base, asphalt blends, engineered fill). Where viable, we incorporate metal recovery ahead of crushing/screening and match graded material with compliant outlets. We coordinate nationwide bulk logistics and provide documentation and diversion reporting.

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piles of slag outdoors on a clear blue sky day

What We Accept

  • Types: BOF/basic oxygen steelmaking slag, EAF slag, ladle slag (aged or fresh, air-cooled)

  • Forms: coarse lump, fines, screened grades, legacy piles, pit reclaim

  • Specs that help: typical chemistry notes, expansion/aging status, gradation targets, moisture, estimated tonnage, photos, sampling history

  • Volumes: pilot runs to multi-load programs; best economics at full truckload (FTL) and ongoing lanes

What We Don’t Accept

  • Share specs & photos: slag type (BOF/EAF/ladle), aging, moisture, pile location/footprint, sampling results, target use, monthly tons

  • Process & outlet plan: optional metal recovery, crushing/screening & magnetics, stockpile management; match to outlet (aggregate/road base/asphalt/fill)

  • Logistics: end-dump/walking-floor or rail where available; appointments, BOLs, scale tickets

  • Reporting: diversion confirmation; lot-level disposition and metal-recovery summaries on request

How It Works

  1. Share specs & photos: grade, basis weight/GSM, width, OD, core size, roll count/weights, print %, moisture notes, typical monthly volumes

  2. Outlet & pricing plan: resale to converters/void-fill buyers where suitable; repulp at paper mills as needed; transparent buy-out or brokerage

  3. Logistics: LTL/FTL, live load or drop trailer; BOLs, appointments, and special handling if required

  4. Reporting: diversion confirmation and lot-level disposition on request

Logistics & Coverage

Bulk trucking nationwide • End-dump, dump trailer, or walking-floor • Rail options by site • Typical lead time 5–10 business days from approved spec

Industries We Serve

Integrated & mini-mills • Foundries & secondary steel • Slag processors • Site remediation & EPCs • Heavy civil/asphalt producers

Documentation & Compliance

  • Chain of custody & scale tickets

  • Site safety & access requirements honored

  • W-9, COI, NDA available

  • Outlet acceptance criteria and testing (e.g., gradation) coordinated as needed

Case Example

A Mid Atlantic based metal foundry generated a truckload per week of lime slag they were landfilling. Waste Optima worked with the company to find a beneficial reuse outlet for the material, increasing the company’s diversion and reducing their disposal cost.

FAQs

  1. Do you buy slag or charge for removal?
    It is generally a charge for removal. However, more times than not, the cost is less than landfill cost.

  2. Can you handle old legacy piles?
    Yes—after basic assessment (access, moisture, sampling), we can plan recovery + grading and move in multi-load sequences.

  3. Is testing required?
    Always. Common asks include gradation, specific gravity, and application-specific criteria. We can coordinate tests.

  4. Minimum pickup?
    Pilot runs are possible, but best economics start at FTL and recurring lanes. 1,000 tons per year is generally a good rule of thumb for minimum annual volume.

  5. Do you process on site?
    No, we work with third party beneficial reuse outlets off site.

Get a quote for your steel slag

Include: slag type (BOF/EAF/ladle), aging status, tonnage estimate, photos (pile & access), target use (aggregate/asphalt/fill), sampling results (if any), pickup ZIP, loading method, and timeline. If you don’t have all this information, just send us what you have.

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