Ferrous metal recycling

Recyclers worldwide are recovering used metals (ferrous and non-ferrous scrap) to create a circular economy. Metal is very easy to recycle and also has a significant value as a secondary raw material.

Metals recycling starts with collecting end-of-life metals,  commonly called “scrap”, which are then transported to a recycling facility for processing.

Once they arrive at the recycling facility, they are typically separated into the different types of metals. In addition, most recyclers can reduce the size of the metals by cutting them into smaller pieces or shredding them.

The purest possible streams of the metal types that remain are often sold to smelters. They melt the metals down so that they can be used again in new products.

Where does scrap come from?

Scrap metal comes from many different sources. Examples include:

• Buildings
• Infrastructure
• Vehicles
• Electronics
• Packaging

The larger pieces of scrap are often collected by scrap iron traders. In the past, they went door to door with carts. This still happens occasionally, though typically the scrap metal is taken to a collection point. This site can be operated by a recycler, charity as well as a municipality.

Recyclers may choose to collaborate with schools, shops and supermarkets to collect the scrap on a weekly or monthly basis. They may also have contracts with hospitals, government departments and manufacturers, such as carmakers.

In the case of the latter, the material is called production scrap as it comes straight from the factory. This type of scrap is clean, high-quality metal that can easily be reintroduced into the loop.

Who represents the recyclers?

Metal recyclers have created trade organisations to advocate on their behalf. These will typically cover recycling in a specific city, region or country. Examples include:

• EuRIC (Europe)
• BIR (Worldwide)
• ReMA – formerly ISRI (USA)
• BVSE (Germany)
• MRF (Netherlands)
• RAA (Africa)
• BMRA (UK)

Legislation regarding metals recycling

In pursuit of a circular economy, legislators around the world are enforcing recycling-specific regulations. Some have set strict targets for recycled content in new products, others have outlined the recyclability of certain products.

They have also introduced increasingly more ambitous collection rates and recycling rates that apply to various waste streams. The next deadline for most targets is set for 2025 or 2030.

You may have heard of these:

• WEEE Directive (electronics recycling)
• ELV Directive (end-of-life car recycling)
• Ship Recycling Regulation (vessels recycling)
• PPWR (packaging recycling)