Technology expansion poses health risk, as Nigeria is considered dumping ground for e-waste

Aluminum scrap in recycled form can have considerable cost savings for producers who have re-melting furnaces to process scrap; this reduces the dependability of virgin metal supplied from traditional primary smelters and increases production flexibility. Aluminum as a material is circular and can be recycled unlimited times without losing its original properties. Economies moving forward should facilitate scrap handling smoothly and efficiently, from end-of-life scrap to reusing scrap during the production stage (in-house scrap). Aluminum can help in achieving circular economy goals. Policies are tailor-made by countries to increase recycling rates, reduce the burden on natural resources such as bauxite, and use lower energy to the tune of only 5%, ensuring CO2 cut-down. Globally, recycling occupies around 20% of the overall primary aluminum production. Primary aluminum contributes 80%, which is set to reduce in the next 5-10 years as recycling constantly replaces primary aluminum due to its many commercial advantages coupled with companies’ target of going carbon-free.

For the first time, RMI has examined the vast potential for resource recycling in China and shown how it can serve as an important component of reaching the nation’s zero-carbon goal. Growing the Circular Economy: Opportunities for Resource Recycling under China’s Carbon-Neutrality Target [PDF] quantifies the market opportunity across nine key segments, from scrap steel and plastics to biomass and EV batteries, finding a ¥2.8 trillion potential market in 2050.