Copper Recovered From Scrap Processed In The United States

This table presents data on the quantities of copper recovered from various types of scrap processed within the United States, categorized by the kind of scrap and the form in which copper is recovered. This information is critical for understanding the role of recycling in the copper supply chain, which supports industrial demand while reducing reliance on primary copper mining. Tracking recovered copper from scrap also provides insights into resource efficiency, environmental impact mitigation, and economic factors such as cost savings and supply stability for manufacturers and metal processors.

Analysis of the data reveals a slight decline in total copper recovered from scrap, decreasing from 858,000 metric tons in 2020 to 840,000 metric tons in 2021. This reduction is primarily due to decreases in copper-base new scrap, which fell from 665,000 to 647,000 metric tons, and copper-base old scrap, which dropped from 138,000 to 136,000 metric tons. Conversely, aluminum-base new scrap showed an increase from 32,000 to 35,600 metric tons, indicating a growing contribution from this source. In terms of recovery form, copper recovered as unalloyed copper increased from 43,200 to 48,900 metric tons, while copper in brass and bronze decreased slightly from 758,000 to 733,000 metric tons. These trends highlight shifts in scrap composition and recovery processes that may reflect changes in industrial scrap availability, market demand, or recycling technologies.