The recent benchmarking survey of 244 metalcasting facilities by the American Foundry Society (AFS) was part of a multi-year data gathering exercise to more fully understand the beneficial reuse industry. The data represents the amount of reuse performed from 2004 to 2006 by the participants, most of whom were ferrous metalcasters of varying sizes.

Survey respondents indicated construction fill and Portland Cement/Concrete were the most frequent beneficial reuse applications, and the avarage hauling distance for metalcasting sand was 17.9 miles. According to the authors of the study, these were areas of concern. 

"Only a small percentage of metalcasting facilities are using their sand in the top soils market," the authors wrote. "The industry is waiting on research that may open up markets in this area."

To lower the average hauling distance for the sand, AFS offers a mapping program to help metalcasters find its closest end-user. The web-based tool can be found at www.afsinc.org/component/option,com_mtree/Itemid,193/. For more information on industry practices regarding the disposal and beneficial reuse of foundry sand, visit www.afsinc.org or contact Alicia Oman, AFS Washington Office, at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .