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Recycling

Recycling

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.

Recycling Resources

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LS MnM Inc. Contributes to the Circular Economy Through ESG Partnership with SK Networks

Case Study
Copper Alliance

International Copper Association (ICA) member, LS MnM Inc., is promoting circular practices in South Korea…

14 October 2022

No Resources Lost: The Circular Opportunity of Industrial Symbiosis

Article | Industrial Symbiosis
Symeon Christofyllidis

By working together, industries can reduce waste by finding applications for byproducts of production, or…

By working together, industries can reduce waste by repurposing or finding applications for byproducts of production....

10 October 2022

Industrial Symbiosis: Copper Byproduct Iron Silicate Reduces Carbon Emissions in Construction Industry

Infographic | Decarbonisation
Copper Alliance

Copper byproduct iron silicate reduces carbon emissions in the construction industry through industrial symbiosis.

Copper byproduct iron silicate reduces carbon emissions in the construction industry through industrial symbiosis....

10 October 2022

Industrial Symbiosis: Reusing EV Batteries for Energy Storage Systems Can Extend Lifetime of Copper Applications

Infographic | Automotive
Copper Alliance

Through industrial symbiosis, reusing EV Batteries for energy storage systems can extend the lifetime of copper applications.

Through industrial symbiosis, reusing EV Batteries for energy storage systems can extend the lifetime of copper applications....

9 October 2022

Press Release: New Research Reveals Opportunities for Industrial Symbiosis in the Copper Industry

Press Release | Industrial Symbiosis
Copper Alliance
3 October 2022

JX Nippon Mining and Metals Works to Build a Recycling-Oriented Society

Case Study
Copper Alliance

International Copper Association (ICA) member JX Nippon Mining and Metals Corporation is committed to building…

9 September 2022

Circular Economy – Monitoring Framework

Position Paper | Clean and Circular Economy
Symeon Christofyllidis

ECI welcomes the opportunity to submit its opinions for the next revision of the Monitoring Framework on Circular Economy....

3 June 2022

Aurubis Plans First Smelter for Multimetal Recycling in the U.S.

Article | Industrial Symbiosis
Copper Alliance

International Copper Association (ICA) member Aurubis is expanding its international operations and building a new…

5 April 2022

Circular Production Practices Advance Industrial Symbiosis in the Copper Industry

Article | Industrial Symbiosis
Copper Alliance

ICA Members Rio Tinto, Aurubis and Boliden Take the Lead Industrial symbiosis, the concept of…

16 March 2022

Copper Recycling

Brochure | Copper Demand
Copper Alliance

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

10 February 2022

Commitment to the Circular Economy and Urban Mining Drives Copper Recycling in China

Article | China/Asia Market Development
Copper Alliance

Sustainability is at the forefront of China’s plans. The 14th Five-Year plan outlines targets for climate…

28 May 2021

The Future of Urban Mining

Presentation
Copper Alliance
12 April 2021

The Promise and Limits of Urban Mining – Fraunhofer ISI Report

Research
Copper Alliance
17 November 2020

The Promise and Limits of Urban Mining

Article
Copper Alliance

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

17 November 2020

The Future of Urban Mining

Factsheet
Copper Alliance

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

17 November 2020
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About ICA

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Trends and Data

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Spotlight

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Sustainable Copper

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International Copper Association is a not-for-profit trade association that brings together the global copper industry to develop and defend markets for copper and to make a positive contribution to the UN’s SDGs.

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