Today’s global economy requires efficient use of raw materials, as well as material conservation through reuse and recycling. On average, copper products contain more than 30 percent recycled content, which significantly reduces the energy demand and GHG emissions associated with copper production.
Copper has the longest recycling history of any material known to civilization, as it is infinitely recyclable and can be used again and again without losing any of its properties. It is estimated that in the last one hundred years, two-thirds of the 690 million tonnes of copper produced are still in productive use. For copper recycling to be effective, innovation is needed. Endeavors supporting copper recycling can be implemented in new product design to facilitate end-of-life recovery and industrial copper recycling processes to increase overall yields. The International Copper Association (ICA) fully supports the copper industry’s efforts in copper recycling and reintroducing this valuable metal back into the economy.
Recycled copper requires 85 percent less energy than primary production. The recycling of copper requires less energy than primary production and reduces CO2 emissions.
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Circular Economy – Monitoring Framework
ECI welcomes the opportunity to submit its opinions for the next revision of the Monitoring Framework on Circular Economy....

Aurubis Plans First Smelter for Multimetal Recycling in the U.S.
International Copper Association (ICA) member Aurubis is expanding its international operations and building a new…

Circular Production Practices Advance Industrial Symbiosis in the Copper Industry
ICA Members Rio Tinto, Aurubis and Boliden Take the Lead Industrial symbiosis, the concept of…

Copper Recycling
The Importance of Recycling During the past decade, strong growth in emerging economies, coupled with…

Commitment to the Circular Economy and Urban Mining Drives Copper Recycling in China
Sustainability is at the forefront of China’s plans. The 14th Five-Year plan outlines targets for climate…

The Future of Urban Mining

The Promise and Limits of Urban Mining – Fraunhofer ISI Report

The Promise and Limits of Urban Mining
Urban Mining is a concept that emphasizes the potential of cities, the human habitat and…

The Future of Urban Mining
Urban Mining is a concept that emphasizes the potential of cities, the human habitat and built environment as a source of raw...
Recycling in Europe

ICA Members at the Core of Climate-Smart Mining
Rio Tinto and Anglo American Join Groundbreaking World Bank Fund Mining is one of the…

European Copper Industry Leads in Solving Environmental Challenges
Combating climate change and reaching a circular economy are essential for a more sustainable economy…

Closing the Loop for the Circular Economy
Top Miners Work Toward a Sustainable Future by Recycling Copper The Cycle of Life Recycling…

A Recycling Champion
Copper is completely recyclable. It can be used again and again without losing any of…
