Metal recycling conveyor systems

Recycling metals reduces habitat destruction and pollution from mining.

In 2021, about 69 percent of lead in the United States was recycled, followed by magnesium, with a recycling rate of approximately 57 percent.

Less than one-third of some 60 metals studied have an end-of-life recycling rate above 50 percent and 34 elements are below 1 percent recycling.

The recycling rate for steel cans was estimated to be 70.9 percent (1.1 million tons) in 2018.

The recycling of ferrous metals from durable goods was estimated to be 27.8 percent (4.7 million tons) in the same year.

As our world becomes increasingly reliant on technology, the challenge of recycling end-of-life products—especially cars and electronic waste—has grown. These products often comprise a mix of metals, plastics, and other components, making their recycling complex.

Less than one-third of some 60 metals studied have an end-of-life recycling rate above 50 percent, and 34 elements are below 1 percent recycling.

Many metals are crucial to clean technologies such as batteries for hybrid cars and the magnets in wind turbines.

Every year, the automobile recycling industry in the U.S. and Canada provides sufficient steel to produce roughly 13 million new vehicles.