Jump to main content.


Blasting Grit

Blasting grit is an industrial abrasive used to shape, cut, sharpen, or finish a variety of other surfaces and materials. Abrasives are used in many industries, including construction, automotive, and landscaping and can be fashioned for use on metals, ceramics, carbides, composites, glass, and plastics.

Recommended Recovered Materials Content Ranges:

EPA's Recovered Materials Advisory Notice (RMAN) recommends recycled-content levels for purchasing blasting grit as shown in the table below.

EPA's Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Blasting Grit

Material Postconsumer Content (%) Total Recovered Materials Content (%)
Steel 1 16-67 25-100
Coal Slag -- 100
Copper and Nickel Slag -- 100
Bottom Ash -- 100
Glass 100 100
Glass/Plastic 20 100
Fused Alumina Oxide 100 100
Walnut Shells -- 100

šThe recommended recovered materials content levels for steel in this table reflect the fact that the designated item may contain steel manufactured in either a Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) or an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF), or a combination of both. Steel from the BOF process contains 25% - 30% total recovered steel, of which 16% is postconsumer. Steel from the EAF process contains 100% total recovered steel, of which 67% is postconsumer. According to industry sources, blasting grit containing a combination of BOF and EAF steel would contain 25% - 85% total recovered steel, of which 16% - 67% would be postconsumer. Since there is no way of knowing which type of steel was used in the manufacture of the item, the postconsumer and total recovered material content ranges in this table encompass the whole range of possibilities, i.e., the use of EAF steel only, BOF steel only, or a combination of the two.

Top of Page

Product Specifications:

EPA did not find any specifications that would preclude the use of recovered materials in blasting grit. EPA recommends that procuring agencies exercise OSHA or other required standard safety practices when using blasting grit, particularly when using blasting grit containing slag materials.

Top of Page

Product Information:

Database of Manufacturers and Suppliers
This database identifies manufacturers and suppliers of blasting grit containing recovered materials.

Top of Page

Additional Links:

2007 Buy-Recycled Series: Miscellaneous Products (PDF) (7 pp, 146K, About PDF)
This fact sheet highlights the miscellaneous products designated in the CPG and includes recommended recovered-content levels and a list of resources.

Technical Background Document
This background document includes EPA's product research on blasting grit as well as a more detailed overview of the history and regulatory requirements of the CPG process.

Top of Page


Local Navigation




Jump to main content.