Recovered Metals: United States

Recovered Metals: United States

This report forecasts to 2028 US recovery of post-consumer metal from the US municipal solid waste (MSW) stream in short tons. For comparison, this report also forecasts the generation of post-consumer metal in the MSW stream to 2028. Total metal recovery and generation are segmented by type in terms of: ferrous, lead, aluminum, and other nonferrous (generation only).

To illustrate historical trends, total metal volumes generated and recovered along with their segments are provided in annual series from 2013-2023.

Pre-consumer metal (industrial scrap) and lead from non-battery sources and non-vehicle batteries are excluded from the scope of this report. The following materials are excluded from this analysis because MSW volumes are considered negligible (less than 0.05% of the total volume) or a method for accurately quantifying these volumes has not been established: recovery of aluminum from nondurable and durable goods, and recovery of other nonferrous metals (such as copper, titanium, zinc, and brass).

Throughout this report, measures in tons refer to short tons.

Generation refers to the weight of materials and products as they enter the waste management system from residential, commercial and institutional sources and before recycling, composting, combustion or landfilling take place. Pre-consumer (industrial) scrap is not included in the generation estimate. Source reduction activities, such as backyard composting, take place ahead of generation.

Recycling is defined as the recovery of useful materials, such as paper, glass, plastic and metals, from the MSW stream, along with the transformation of the materials, to make new products to reduce the amount of virgin raw materials needed to meet consumer demands.

Key macroeconomic indicators are also provided with quantified trends. Other various topics, including profiles of pertinent leading companies, are covered in this report. A full outline of report items by page is available in the Table of Contents.

Related NAICS Codes:

• 331110 Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing
• 331314 Secondary Smelting and Alloying of Aluminum
• 332431 Metal Can Manufacturing
• 335911 Storage Battery Manufacturing
• 423930 Recyclable Material Merchant Wholesalers
• 562111 Solid Waste Collection
• 562920 Materials Recovery Facilities