Zinc Recovered From Scrap Processed In The United States, By Type Of Scrap

This table presents data on the quantities of zinc recovered from various types of scrap materials processed in the United States, categorized by new and old scrap as well as by the base metal of the scrap. This information is crucial for understanding the role of recycling in the domestic zinc supply chain, which supports industries such as galvanizing, die-casting, and alloy production. Tracking zinc recovery from scrap helps gauge the efficiency of resource utilization, reduces dependence on primary zinc mining, and contributes to economic sustainability by lowering production costs and environmental impact.

Analysis of the data reveals that copper-base new scrap remains the dominant source of recovered zinc, increasing from 83,400 metric tons in 2022 to 89,500 metric tons in 2023, indicating a robust growth in recycling activities within this category. Magnesium-base new scrap saw a decline from 494 metric tons to 431 metric tons over the same period. For old scrap, copper-base zinc recovery held steady at an estimated 7,000 metric tons, while aluminum-base old scrap experienced a slight increase from 618 to 634 metric tons. Magnesium-base old scrap decreased marginally from 70 to 64 metric tons. Data for zinc-base scrap and total zinc recovered are withheld to protect proprietary information, but the available figures highlight the significant contribution of copper-base scrap to the zinc recycling industry in the United States.