Circular Economy
Much of the world has already committed to ambitious targets to meet climate goals. Undoubtedly, these commitments to decarbonization and electrification of developing economies will influence copper demand. Copper, with its infinite life cycle, is a truly circular material.
The global end-of-life recycling rate for copper is 40 percent. In addition, more than 30 percent of global copper demand is already met with recycled copper.
To meet growing global ambitions, recycling needs to complement primary metal sources. According to the World Bank, the low-carbon, sustainable economy—with additional renewables and electric vehicles, greater energy efficiency and electrification—will require a nearly endless supply of metals, both from responsible mining and recycling.
ICA supports measures ensuring the market acceptance of both primary and secondary resources. ICA members, together with copper fabricators and other partners, collaborate closely with global policy makers to remove barriers and create market incentives for the use of secondary raw materials to close the loop.
ICA members are using cutting-edge technologies and innovative recycling processes, such as introducing scrap metals into the smelting process to recycle valuable raw materials and enhance efficiencies. This includes recycling intricate electronic devices and other increasingly complex products.
State-of-the-art recyclers can recover 20+ metals from complex copper products and applications.
24 million tonnes
of copper enter the global urban mine annually
13 million tonnes
reach the end-of-life phase and become available for recycling
To fully use the potential of the Urban Mine, in conjunction with the circular economy, a combination of adequate local infrastructure, skills and market conditions is needed.
Circular Economy Resources
Filter Resources
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…
Circular Economy Cube Infographic
Copper is infinite & can be recycled with no loss of properties. A sustainable material pivotal to build the circular economy...
Circular Copper Recycling in China: Current Practices and Future Trends
China has announced its net-zero target for carbon emissions by 2060. To meet this goal,…
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…
Circular Copper: Building a Culture of Sustainability
With its infinite life cycle, copper is a truly circular material that can be recycled…
Circular Copper – Part 3
Join ICA and its members in building a culture of sustainability—without waste....
Design-for-Sustainability: the Holistic Solution for Copper-bearing Products in Circular Economy
Product Environmental Footprint
Participation in the European Commission’s Product Environmental Footprint initiative An environment-conscious society requires the supply chain…
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…
Circular Economy Cube – A Model for EU Sustainability
European Sustainable Energy Week is the annual flagship event for all things energy efficiency and…
Copper’s Contribution to the Circular Economy
A fundamental piece of our sustainable future is already powering nearly every aspect of our…
A Recycling Champion
Copper is completely recyclable. It can be used again and again without losing any of…