News & Insights

The value of recycling materials

Metal

Recycling supports a more sustainable society in many ways. For example, with efficient recycling, metals can be used over and over again. This in its turn minimizes the need to mine and process virgin ore.

Why metal recycling matters

Environmental benefits of recycling metals

Using recycled metals can drastically reduce a manufacturer’s carbon dioxide emissions, from design to product end-of-life. It supports any manufacturer that wants to make their business more sustainable, for example by making the products part of a circular economy. For example, by reducing cost for raw materials.

Metals can be indefinitely recycled, and they save virgin resources and energy, as well as minimizing the CO2 emissions. The recycling also reduces landfill use, reduce air pollution and creates jobs.

Key facts about metal recycling

70% of all the steel produced to date is still in use.
Using steel scrap instead of virgin ore reduces CO2 emissions by 58%.
Recycling one tonne of steel saves 1.4 tonnes of iron ore, 0.8 tonnes of coal, 0.3 tonnes of limestone and additives, and 1.67 tonnes of CO2.
Using recycled steel to make new steel reduces air pollution by 86%, water use by 40%, and water pollution by 76%.
75% of all aluminium ever produced is still in use today.
By using aluminium scrap, CO2 emissions can be reduced by 92% compared to raw aluminium.
Recycling aluminium saves 95% of the energy needed for primary production.
44% of EU copper demand comes from recycled sources.
By using copper scrap, we reduce CO2 emissions by 65%.

Source: EuRic

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