Nearly all of that 0.7 trillion (or 700 billion) pounds is still in circulation because copper's recycling rate is higher than that of any other engineering metal.
One of copper's major advantages is that it is recyclable. In North America alone, approximately one half of the copper consumed annually comes from recycled material. Copper’s recycle value is so great that premium-grade scrap has at least 95% of the value of primary copper from newly mined ore.
Environment
We are committed to the environment.
- Approximately 43% of all copper used each year is a product of recycling and businesses like Safran Metals.
- Due to the high value of recycled copper (95% of the value of primary metal from newly mined ore) recycling reduces the need for new, potentially environmentally harmful, mining operations.
- Copper is a natural trace element that is essential in the development of most animals, plants, and even human beings, and is not known to cause any health problems when used in moderation.
- Each year in the U.S.A., nearly as much copper is recovered from recycled material as is derived from newly mined ore. Excluding wire production, most of which uses newly refined copper, more than three-fourths of the amount used by copper and brass mills, ingot makers, foundries, powder plants and other industries comes from recycled scrap.