Systems and methods are disclosed that involve, in the operation of an electric arc furnace (EAF), disposing a composition into a container for smelting in the electric arc furnace. The composition may include EAF fines and carbonaceous fines. The systems and methods involve placing the container and a steel precursor into the EAF to react the EAF fines with the carbonaceous fines and melting the container and the steel precursor. Methods for feeding manufacturing by-products to a furnace for melting in the furnace, including filling a container with manufacturing by by-products including at least one of iron and baghouse dust (BHD), the container having a melting point greater than or equal to a melting point of the iron and a melting point of the iron and baghouse dust (BHD). The method further includes securing the container closed with a lid, charging the container into the furnace, and melting, via the furnace, the container, the iron and baghouse dust (BHD) in the furnace.
