Oct 28, 2026

a Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report - #24

Wednesday, October 28, 2026

In this edition: 18 links including:

Formal E-cycling rise/EU e-collection crisis/Future Recyclists Initiative/China metal recycle boost/US aluminum recycling/forest knives out/Lula climate hope/solar transforms economies/India solar boom /Data Center strategies

_____________________________________________________________________________

Advocating for a rapid expansion of e-waste and critical metals recycling and reuse projects around the world.

We need metals for solar, wind, energy storage, EVs, batteries, heat-pumps and geothermal

- but we can’t mine our way out of the climate crisis.

__________________________________________________________________________________

This report is shared with over 1,500 people who work with organizations that are realizing the climate benefits of critical metal recycling and reuse.

Economic and environmental cooperation is building between governments; responsible producers; private and public recycling and reuse industries; renewable energy industries; impacted communities; and a support network of environment and energy coalitions and associations. Indigenous communities, in particular, are on the front lines of the climate crisis.

_______________________________________________________________________________

New copper mines are hard to build with low profit margins & community resistance & 10 year lead times at best . The International Copper Association says recycling is 85% more efficient. Recycling addresses the near term need for renewable energy production.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Featured links:

* “The Rise of Formal E-Waste Ecosystems in 2026” (USA)

* “E-waste collection in the EU falls behind”

* “Europe’s growing e-waste crisis demands urgent action, NGOs warn”

* “E-Waste Recycling Hits Record High” (In Ireland)

* “Show young people how they can shine in our industry” (Bureau of International Recycling)

* “Chinese drive to boost domestic non-ferrous recycling” (copper, aluminum, brass etc.)

* “A cleaner solution to America’s aluminum crunch is hiding in landfills”“

* “South Korea’s Municipal Waste Recycling Rate at 70%... 3.5 Times Higher Than Japan”

* “New study finds failure to stay on track toward promise of zero deforestation by 2030” -- “Congo Basin deforestation now equals that of the Amazon”

* “Knives Out: How US lobbyists tried to kill the EUDR” (European Union Deforestation Regulation)

* “Minnesota offers warning as Iowa cheers steel mill deal”

* “Lula’s election win in Brazil raises hopes for zero deforestation drive”

* “The solar boom is rapidly transforming emerging economies” (Africa/Southeast Asia)

* India’s rooftop solar boom: How Lucknow leads the way” (video - 10min)

* “Rwanda’s Food Waste Could Feed Millions. Small Businesses Are Showing How.”

* “Data centers are stress-testing local governments. Here are 5 strategies to rein them in”

* “Real Examples of E-Waste Recycling Organizations You Can Trust” (global)

* “How Millions of Tons of Electronic Waste are turned into a billion dollar industry” - (12min video )

_____________________________________________________________________________

The E-Waste economic & environmental opportunity

“The Rise of Formal E-Waste Ecosystems in 2026” by ERI - 16MAR26

“Days of tossing electronics into the trash are over. Handing them off to a company that ships them abroad for processing is no longer acceptable.”/”The U.S. e-waste market size was .. $26.5 billion in 2025 and is forecast to grow to $45.3 billion by 2032.” /”Today, formal e-waste ecosystems are being developed to ensure safety and establish urban mines for reclaiming critical materials.”

https://eridirect.com/blog/2026/03/the-rise-of-formal-e-waste-ecosystems-in-2026/

“E-waste collection in the EU falls behind” -- Recycling Magazine (source Eurostat)-- 15OCT26

“... the EU collected 12.3 kg of e-waste per person in 2024. Some 32.4 kg of electrical and electronic equipment per person was placed on the market. …..”/”The difference … points to a growing stock of devices. … devices may still be in use, ..stored in households or enter unmonitored waste channels.” /” Bulgaria, Czechia and France collect the most .. per person/ Austria, Germany and Denmark lead in market volumes … placed the most electrical and electronic equipment on the market,…”

https://www.recycling-magazine.com/en/31599/e-waste-in-europe?

“Europe’s growing e-waste crisis demands urgent action, NGOs warn” -- by the European Environmental Bureau (EEB)-- 14 October 2026

Isabelle Radovan, …..European Environmental Bureau (EEB), said: “Europe is consuming and discarding more electronics than ever, yet the sector’s structural shortcomings . remain unaddressed. The revised e-waste legislation and the Circular Economy Act must focus on preventing waste and extending products’ lifespan. It is time to tackle electronic waste at its source.”

https://eeb.org/en/europes-growing-e-waste-crisis-demands-urgent-action-ngos-warn/

“E-Waste Recycling Hits Record High” (In Ireland) -- by JMCE -- Recycle IT - 24AUG26

“Ireland recycled a record 21.1 million electrical and electronic waste items in 2025, marking another significant increase in the country’s e-waste recycling efforts./However, despite the record volume of electrical waste collected, Ireland still fell short of the European Union’s 65% e-waste collection target, according to new figures from WEEE Ireland.”

https://socialrecycleit.com/2026/08/24/e-waste-recycling-hits-record-high/

“Show young people how they can shine in our industry’ (Bureau of International Recycling) by Martijn Reintjes -- Recycling International -- October 26, 2026

“The Bureau of International Recycling has launched Future Recyclists, a global initiative designed to attract young talent to the recycling industry and showcase the diverse career opportunities it offers. “/”BIR president Susie Burrage: ‘… our industry is international, entrepreneurial, innovative. It addresses some of the biggest challenges facing our planet and it offers young people genuinely exciting careers.’”

https://recyclinginternational.com/bir-convention/burrage-show-young-people-how-they-can-shine-in-our-industry/65294/

____________________________________________________________________________

The Copper & critical metals recycling opportunity

“Chinese drive to boost domestic non-ferrous recycling” (copper, aluminum, brass etc.) by Robin Latchem - Recycling International October 13, 2026

The non-ferrous scrap sector in China is undergoing a major regulatory and economic shift as Beijing prioritises domestic recycling./ “China has heavily restricted exports of rare earth metals, technologies and high-value magnet scrap. This has driven global high-tech and defence companies to seek alternative recycling ecosystems outside of Asia as a matter of urgency./“.. China is funding resource recovery bases …, specifically decommissioned EV batteries and commercial PV(solar) modules.”

https://recyclinginternational.com/markets/non-ferrous-metals-recycling-markets/chinese-drive-to-boost-domestic-non-ferrous-recycling/65203/

“A cleaner solution to America’s aluminum crunch is hiding in landfills” / “Advanced sorting technologies and stronger state recycling policies can help recover more scrap metal to meet U.S. aluminum demand, experts say.” -- By Maria Gallucci - Canary Media -- 19 October 2026

“A global .. shortage and U.S. tariffs have roiled ..aluminum …., putting greater pressure on the US to produce more of its own metal.”/”Recycling aluminum, …. uses only 5% of the energy needed to make virgin metal in smelters, and the U.S. has an abundance of scrap. ……, millions of tons of it still .. wind up in landfills, owing to the country’s spotty recycling policies and the.. headache of salvaging high-quality aluminum scrap.”/

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/clean-aluminum/how-to-recover-more-scrap-metal-us?

“South Korea’s Municipal Waste Recycling Rate at 70%... 3.5 Times Higher Than Japan” -- by Lee Dongwoo -- Asia Business Daily -- 08 June 2026)

“ ………the “Korea-Japan Waste Statistics Yearbook,” .. compares .. . waste generation and management status of both countries, through joint research with the National Institute for Environmental Studies of Japan./ “…this yearbook will enhance understanding of the waste management systems in both countries and serve as a foundational resource for policy development and system improvement. / “. a useful reference for industries and policymakers …”

https://www.asiae.co.kr/en/article/2026060807372855698

__________________________________________________________________________________

The mining problem that critical metals recycling could help resolve

“New study finds failure to stay on track toward promise of zero deforestation by 2030” -- “Congo Basin deforestation now equals that of the Amazon” by Forest Declaration Assessment - October 13, 2026

“... over the last five years, measures adopted in some Latin American countries — like Brazil’s revived Amazon deforestation action plan and stepped-up enforcement — have contributed to a 33% reduction in deforestation …. Those reductions were the primary driver of a global decline ..in 2025. The report finds nothing analogous underway to slow deforestation in the Congo Basin, where forest loss is mainly due to an expansion of agriculture, timber extraction and mining activities.”

https://forestdeclaration.org/press-release-2026/

“KNIVES OUT: How US lobbyists tried to kill the EUDR” (European Union Deforestation Regulation) —by Mighty Earth — October 2026

“A new Mighty Earth investigation reveals for the first time the full extent of a major US corporate lobbying blitz over the last two years to delay, derail or severely weaken the European Union’s landmark zero-deforestation law.”

https://mightyearth.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Knives-out-EUDR-Mighty-Earth.pdf

“Minnesota offers warning as Iowa cheers steel mill deal” --‘Y’all need to be vigilant’,’ state auditor says” -- By Christopher Vondracek | Mike Hughlett | Jana Hollingsworth -- Minnesota Star Tribune -- (via the Gazette) -- 22OCT26

“The proposed Iowa mill would make steel from the iron ore extracted from a new Minnesota mine that took years of political and financial effort to open. The mine will still benefit Minnesota, but critics say it may now be missing out on a greater economic windfall. But several state and local officials say Iowa’s deal with the Mesabi mine’s owner, Essar, may prove more elusive than promised.”

https://www.thegazette.com/news/state/minnesota-offers-warning-as-iowa-cheers-steel-mill-deal/article_43673452-ab9c-494b-9443-f10df442e4f4.html?

__________________________________________________________________________________

Climate Solutions & Challenges

“Lula’s election win in Brazil raises hopes for zero deforestation drive” -- By Sebastian Rodriguez -- Climate Home News -- 26OCT26

“Defying expectations to win an unprecedented fourth term in office, Lula - who turns 81 this week - said in his acceptance speech that “we will show the world how climate policy is handled in this country”, and highlighted that, during his last four years as leader, the country has reduced deforestation every year.”

https://www.climatechangenews.com/2026/10/26/lulas-election-win-in-brazil-raises-hopes-for-zero-deforestation-drive/?

“The solar boom is rapidly transforming emerging economies” by Kira Schacht -- DW -- 07OCT26

https://static.dw.com/image/79476651_1004.webp

Solar panels are becoming a common sight in rural parts of Ethiopia. Farmers who previously used diesel generators for irrigation are switching to solar power, like here in the village Dore Bafeno in the Sidama region in 2026. Image: Shewangizaw Wegayehu/DW

“As emerging economies and global living standards rise, is the world in for another fossil fuel boom? The data says not. Countries from Southeast Asia to Sub-Saharan Africa aren’t investing in fossil fuels as the West did; they’re investing in electricity powered by renewables.”

https://www.dw.com/en/emerging-economies-are-embracing-solar-power-and-skipping-fossil-fuels-much-faster-than-europe-or-the-us/a-79474847?

“India’s rooftop solar boom: How Lucknow leads the way” (video - 10min)

From zero electricity bills to solar-powered street vendors, India’s city of Lucknow is embracing rooftop solar. What’s driving its success? -- by Sadhika Tiwari in Lucknow, India - DW - October 27, 2026

“... a growing number of homeowners are opening their electricity bills and finding there’s nothing to pay. Driven by a rooftop solar boom, more than 100,000 households are generating their own power, cutting costs and embracing renewable energy. Demand has been fueled by government incentives, rising energy bills and growing climate awareness.”

https://www.dw.com/en/indias-rooftop-solar-boom-how-lucknow-leads-the-way/video-79735237

“Rwanda’s Food Waste Could Feed Millions. Small Businesses Are Showing How.”

“In Rwanda, small businesses are turning coffee waste, fruit pulp and food scraps into fuel, fertilizer and income. In doing so, they’re building a blueprint for circular food systems across Africa.”

By: Eric Ruzigamanzi, Gloria Kantengwa, Tsion Issayas and Christo van Schalkwyk -- World Resources Institute Africa -- May 26, 2026

“Every year, nearly half of Rwanda’s food supply goes uneaten. Inadequate food storage and processing, spoiled harvests and household waste result in a 40% loss of the country’s total food production every year, equal to 12% of its GDP. … / “And Rwanda isn’t alone. Post-harvest losses are a persistent challenge across Sub-Saharan Africa. Reducing food loss and waste can help ensure that growing populations don’t go hungry. One emerging solution is “circular food systems.”

https://africa.wri.org/insights/rwanda-circular-food-systems-small-businesses

“Data centers are stress-testing local governments. Here are 5 strategies to rein them in”

“Tools including zoning and permitting can address transparency, infrastructure, community benefits and other concerns, panelists at a Southern Environmental Law Center event said.” By Robyn Griggs Lawrence -- SMARTCITIES DIVE -- Sept. 29, 2026

“The panelists discussed five ways city leaders can make it easier for themselves to deal with the onslaught of data centers, their impacts and the public uprising against them.” / “3. Require grid connection and clean energy development instead of on-site gas plants.”

https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/data-centers-stress-testing-local-governments-5-strategies/831628/

__________________________________________________________________________________

What can we do ?

Recycle our e-waste & metals (of course) / use & support our local & regional recycling centers (government & industry) / support organizations advocating for rapid expansion of sustainable e-waste & metal recycling.

“Real Examples of E-Waste Recycling Organizations You Can Trust” - International (USA +) by Jamie -- Examples Of -- December 1, 2025

“This guide walks through vetted, real-world examples of e-waste recycling organizations you can trust, from global nonprofits to local certified recyclers in the United States.”/ “… what good e-waste recycling actually looks like in 2024–2025, which certifications matter, ..how to avoid shady “recyclers” who just ship toxic waste overseas. …. examples of programs you can use today—whether you’re a homeowner with one busted TV or an IT manager with a pallet of retired servers.”

https://examples-of.com/environmental-sustainability/recycling-guides/e-waste-recycling-guide/environmental-sustainability-recycling-guides-e-waste-recycling-guide-examples-of-organizations-that-accept-e-waste-for-recycling/

__________________________________________________________________________________

A Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report

is published twice a month

Please click to subscribe:

$55 a year

__________________________________________________________________________________

“How Millions of Tons of Electronic Waste are turned into a billion dollar industry” - (12min video ) - Electronic Recyclers International (ERI) - June 2026

Video Tour of “the largest e-waste recycling facility in America”

“What actually happens to the millions of phones and laptops we throw away every year? Inside the 60+ million tons of annual e-waste lies billions of dollars in gold, silver, copper, and aluminum. But recovering these materials from a messy mix of plastic and circuit boards is no easy task.”

Oct 28, 2026

a Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report - #24

Wednesday, October 28, 2026

In this edition: 18 links including:

Formal E-cycling rise/EU e-collection crisis/Future Recyclists Initiative/China metal recycle boost/US aluminum recycling/forest knives out/Lula climate hope/solar transforms economies/India solar boom /Data Center strategies

_____________________________________________________________________________

Advocating for a rapid expansion of e-waste and critical metals recycling and reuse projects around the world.

We need metals for solar, wind, energy storage, EVs, batteries, heat-pumps and geothermal

- but we can’t mine our way out of the climate crisis.

__________________________________________________________________________________

This report is shared with over 1,500 people who work with organizations that are realizing the climate benefits of critical metal recycling and reuse.

Economic and environmental cooperation is building between governments; responsible producers; private and public recycling and reuse industries; renewable energy industries; impacted communities; and a support network of environment and energy coalitions and associations. Indigenous communities, in particular, are on the front lines of the climate crisis.

_______________________________________________________________________________

New copper mines are hard to build with low profit margins & community resistance & 10 year lead times at best . The International Copper Association says recycling is 85% more efficient. Recycling addresses the near term need for renewable energy production.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Featured links:

* “The Rise of Formal E-Waste Ecosystems in 2026” (USA)

* “E-waste collection in the EU falls behind”

* “Europe’s growing e-waste crisis demands urgent action, NGOs warn”

* “E-Waste Recycling Hits Record High” (In Ireland)

* “Show young people how they can shine in our industry” (Bureau of International Recycling)

* “Chinese drive to boost domestic non-ferrous recycling” (copper, aluminum, brass etc.)

* “A cleaner solution to America’s aluminum crunch is hiding in landfills”“

* “South Korea’s Municipal Waste Recycling Rate at 70%... 3.5 Times Higher Than Japan”

* “New study finds failure to stay on track toward promise of zero deforestation by 2030” -- “Congo Basin deforestation now equals that of the Amazon”

* “Knives Out: How US lobbyists tried to kill the EUDR” (European Union Deforestation Regulation)

* “Minnesota offers warning as Iowa cheers steel mill deal”

* “Lula’s election win in Brazil raises hopes for zero deforestation drive”

* “The solar boom is rapidly transforming emerging economies” (Africa/Southeast Asia)

* India’s rooftop solar boom: How Lucknow leads the way” (video - 10min)

* “Rwanda’s Food Waste Could Feed Millions. Small Businesses Are Showing How.”

* “Data centers are stress-testing local governments. Here are 5 strategies to rein them in”

* “Real Examples of E-Waste Recycling Organizations You Can Trust” (global)

* “How Millions of Tons of Electronic Waste are turned into a billion dollar industry” - (12min video )

_____________________________________________________________________________

The E-Waste economic & environmental opportunity

“The Rise of Formal E-Waste Ecosystems in 2026” by ERI - 16MAR26

“Days of tossing electronics into the trash are over. Handing them off to a company that ships them abroad for processing is no longer acceptable.”/”The U.S. e-waste market size was .. $26.5 billion in 2025 and is forecast to grow to $45.3 billion by 2032.” /”Today, formal e-waste ecosystems are being developed to ensure safety and establish urban mines for reclaiming critical materials.”

https://eridirect.com/blog/2026/03/the-rise-of-formal-e-waste-ecosystems-in-2026/

“E-waste collection in the EU falls behind” -- Recycling Magazine (source Eurostat)-- 15OCT26

“... the EU collected 12.3 kg of e-waste per person in 2024. Some 32.4 kg of electrical and electronic equipment per person was placed on the market. …..”/”The difference … points to a growing stock of devices. … devices may still be in use, ..stored in households or enter unmonitored waste channels.” /” Bulgaria, Czechia and France collect the most .. per person/ Austria, Germany and Denmark lead in market volumes … placed the most electrical and electronic equipment on the market,…”

https://www.recycling-magazine.com/en/31599/e-waste-in-europe?

“Europe’s growing e-waste crisis demands urgent action, NGOs warn” -- by the European Environmental Bureau (EEB)-- 14 October 2026

Isabelle Radovan, …..European Environmental Bureau (EEB), said: “Europe is consuming and discarding more electronics than ever, yet the sector’s structural shortcomings . remain unaddressed. The revised e-waste legislation and the Circular Economy Act must focus on preventing waste and extending products’ lifespan. It is time to tackle electronic waste at its source.”

https://eeb.org/en/europes-growing-e-waste-crisis-demands-urgent-action-ngos-warn/

“E-Waste Recycling Hits Record High” (In Ireland) -- by JMCE -- Recycle IT - 24AUG26

“Ireland recycled a record 21.1 million electrical and electronic waste items in 2025, marking another significant increase in the country’s e-waste recycling efforts./However, despite the record volume of electrical waste collected, Ireland still fell short of the European Union’s 65% e-waste collection target, according to new figures from WEEE Ireland.”

https://socialrecycleit.com/2026/08/24/e-waste-recycling-hits-record-high/

“Show young people how they can shine in our industry’ (Bureau of International Recycling) by Martijn Reintjes -- Recycling International -- October 26, 2026

“The Bureau of International Recycling has launched Future Recyclists, a global initiative designed to attract young talent to the recycling industry and showcase the diverse career opportunities it offers. “/”BIR president Susie Burrage: ‘… our industry is international, entrepreneurial, innovative. It addresses some of the biggest challenges facing our planet and it offers young people genuinely exciting careers.’”

https://recyclinginternational.com/bir-convention/burrage-show-young-people-how-they-can-shine-in-our-industry/65294/

____________________________________________________________________________

The Copper & critical metals recycling opportunity

“Chinese drive to boost domestic non-ferrous recycling” (copper, aluminum, brass etc.) by Robin Latchem - Recycling International October 13, 2026

The non-ferrous scrap sector in China is undergoing a major regulatory and economic shift as Beijing prioritises domestic recycling./ “China has heavily restricted exports of rare earth metals, technologies and high-value magnet scrap. This has driven global high-tech and defence companies to seek alternative recycling ecosystems outside of Asia as a matter of urgency./“.. China is funding resource recovery bases …, specifically decommissioned EV batteries and commercial PV(solar) modules.”

https://recyclinginternational.com/markets/non-ferrous-metals-recycling-markets/chinese-drive-to-boost-domestic-non-ferrous-recycling/65203/

“A cleaner solution to America’s aluminum crunch is hiding in landfills” / “Advanced sorting technologies and stronger state recycling policies can help recover more scrap metal to meet U.S. aluminum demand, experts say.” -- By Maria Gallucci - Canary Media -- 19 October 2026

“A global .. shortage and U.S. tariffs have roiled ..aluminum …., putting greater pressure on the US to produce more of its own metal.”/”Recycling aluminum, …. uses only 5% of the energy needed to make virgin metal in smelters, and the U.S. has an abundance of scrap. ……, millions of tons of it still .. wind up in landfills, owing to the country’s spotty recycling policies and the.. headache of salvaging high-quality aluminum scrap.”/

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/clean-aluminum/how-to-recover-more-scrap-metal-us?

“South Korea’s Municipal Waste Recycling Rate at 70%... 3.5 Times Higher Than Japan” -- by Lee Dongwoo -- Asia Business Daily -- 08 June 2026)

“ ………the “Korea-Japan Waste Statistics Yearbook,” .. compares .. . waste generation and management status of both countries, through joint research with the National Institute for Environmental Studies of Japan./ “…this yearbook will enhance understanding of the waste management systems in both countries and serve as a foundational resource for policy development and system improvement. / “. a useful reference for industries and policymakers …”

https://www.asiae.co.kr/en/article/2026060807372855698

__________________________________________________________________________________

The mining problem that critical metals recycling could help resolve

“New study finds failure to stay on track toward promise of zero deforestation by 2030” -- “Congo Basin deforestation now equals that of the Amazon” by Forest Declaration Assessment - October 13, 2026

“... over the last five years, measures adopted in some Latin American countries — like Brazil’s revived Amazon deforestation action plan and stepped-up enforcement — have contributed to a 33% reduction in deforestation …. Those reductions were the primary driver of a global decline ..in 2025. The report finds nothing analogous underway to slow deforestation in the Congo Basin, where forest loss is mainly due to an expansion of agriculture, timber extraction and mining activities.”

https://forestdeclaration.org/press-release-2026/

“KNIVES OUT: How US lobbyists tried to kill the EUDR” (European Union Deforestation Regulation) —by Mighty Earth — October 2026

“A new Mighty Earth investigation reveals for the first time the full extent of a major US corporate lobbying blitz over the last two years to delay, derail or severely weaken the European Union’s landmark zero-deforestation law.”

https://mightyearth.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Knives-out-EUDR-Mighty-Earth.pdf

“Minnesota offers warning as Iowa cheers steel mill deal” --‘Y’all need to be vigilant’,’ state auditor says” -- By Christopher Vondracek | Mike Hughlett | Jana Hollingsworth -- Minnesota Star Tribune -- (via the Gazette) -- 22OCT26

“The proposed Iowa mill would make steel from the iron ore extracted from a new Minnesota mine that took years of political and financial effort to open. The mine will still benefit Minnesota, but critics say it may now be missing out on a greater economic windfall. But several state and local officials say Iowa’s deal with the Mesabi mine’s owner, Essar, may prove more elusive than promised.”

https://www.thegazette.com/news/state/minnesota-offers-warning-as-iowa-cheers-steel-mill-deal/article_43673452-ab9c-494b-9443-f10df442e4f4.html?

__________________________________________________________________________________

Climate Solutions & Challenges

“Lula’s election win in Brazil raises hopes for zero deforestation drive” -- By Sebastian Rodriguez -- Climate Home News -- 26OCT26

“Defying expectations to win an unprecedented fourth term in office, Lula - who turns 81 this week - said in his acceptance speech that “we will show the world how climate policy is handled in this country”, and highlighted that, during his last four years as leader, the country has reduced deforestation every year.”

https://www.climatechangenews.com/2026/10/26/lulas-election-win-in-brazil-raises-hopes-for-zero-deforestation-drive/?

“The solar boom is rapidly transforming emerging economies” by Kira Schacht -- DW -- 07OCT26

https://static.dw.com/image/79476651_1004.webp

Solar panels are becoming a common sight in rural parts of Ethiopia. Farmers who previously used diesel generators for irrigation are switching to solar power, like here in the village Dore Bafeno in the Sidama region in 2026. Image: Shewangizaw Wegayehu/DW

“As emerging economies and global living standards rise, is the world in for another fossil fuel boom? The data says not. Countries from Southeast Asia to Sub-Saharan Africa aren’t investing in fossil fuels as the West did; they’re investing in electricity powered by renewables.”

https://www.dw.com/en/emerging-economies-are-embracing-solar-power-and-skipping-fossil-fuels-much-faster-than-europe-or-the-us/a-79474847?

“India’s rooftop solar boom: How Lucknow leads the way” (video - 10min)

From zero electricity bills to solar-powered street vendors, India’s city of Lucknow is embracing rooftop solar. What’s driving its success? -- by Sadhika Tiwari in Lucknow, India - DW - October 27, 2026

“... a growing number of homeowners are opening their electricity bills and finding there’s nothing to pay. Driven by a rooftop solar boom, more than 100,000 households are generating their own power, cutting costs and embracing renewable energy. Demand has been fueled by government incentives, rising energy bills and growing climate awareness.”

https://www.dw.com/en/indias-rooftop-solar-boom-how-lucknow-leads-the-way/video-79735237

“Rwanda’s Food Waste Could Feed Millions. Small Businesses Are Showing How.”

“In Rwanda, small businesses are turning coffee waste, fruit pulp and food scraps into fuel, fertilizer and income. In doing so, they’re building a blueprint for circular food systems across Africa.”

By: Eric Ruzigamanzi, Gloria Kantengwa, Tsion Issayas and Christo van Schalkwyk -- World Resources Institute Africa -- May 26, 2026

“Every year, nearly half of Rwanda’s food supply goes uneaten. Inadequate food storage and processing, spoiled harvests and household waste result in a 40% loss of the country’s total food production every year, equal to 12% of its GDP. … / “And Rwanda isn’t alone. Post-harvest losses are a persistent challenge across Sub-Saharan Africa. Reducing food loss and waste can help ensure that growing populations don’t go hungry. One emerging solution is “circular food systems.”

https://africa.wri.org/insights/rwanda-circular-food-systems-small-businesses

“Data centers are stress-testing local governments. Here are 5 strategies to rein them in”

“Tools including zoning and permitting can address transparency, infrastructure, community benefits and other concerns, panelists at a Southern Environmental Law Center event said.” By Robyn Griggs Lawrence -- SMARTCITIES DIVE -- Sept. 29, 2026

“The panelists discussed five ways city leaders can make it easier for themselves to deal with the onslaught of data centers, their impacts and the public uprising against them.” / “3. Require grid connection and clean energy development instead of on-site gas plants.”

https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/data-centers-stress-testing-local-governments-5-strategies/831628/

__________________________________________________________________________________

What can we do ?

Recycle our e-waste & metals (of course) / use & support our local & regional recycling centers (government & industry) / support organizations advocating for rapid expansion of sustainable e-waste & metal recycling.

“Real Examples of E-Waste Recycling Organizations You Can Trust” - International (USA +) by Jamie -- Examples Of -- December 1, 2025

“This guide walks through vetted, real-world examples of e-waste recycling organizations you can trust, from global nonprofits to local certified recyclers in the United States.”/ “… what good e-waste recycling actually looks like in 2024–2025, which certifications matter, ..how to avoid shady “recyclers” who just ship toxic waste overseas. …. examples of programs you can use today—whether you’re a homeowner with one busted TV or an IT manager with a pallet of retired servers.”

https://examples-of.com/environmental-sustainability/recycling-guides/e-waste-recycling-guide/environmental-sustainability-recycling-guides-e-waste-recycling-guide-examples-of-organizations-that-accept-e-waste-for-recycling/

__________________________________________________________________________________

A Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report

is published twice a month

Please click to subscribe:

$55 a year

__________________________________________________________________________________

“How Millions of Tons of Electronic Waste are turned into a billion dollar industry” - (12min video ) - Electronic Recyclers International (ERI) - June 2026

Video Tour of “the largest e-waste recycling facility in America”

“What actually happens to the millions of phones and laptops we throw away every year? Inside the 60+ million tons of annual e-waste lies billions of dollars in gold, silver, copper, and aluminum. But recovering these materials from a messy mix of plastic and circuit boards is no easy task.”

Oct 14, 2026

a Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report - #23

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

In this edition: 17 links including:

S Korea E-cycling exels/Solar repowering/Certified R2/Vape solutions/Scrap hunger/U.S. Southeast minerals/Amazon in crosshairs/Mexico toxic crisis/DR Congo mine war/batteries beat gas/Solar-coal flip/

_____________________________________________________________________________

Advocating for a rapid expansion of e-waste and critical metals recycling and reuse projects around the world.

We need metals for solar, wind, energy storage, EVs, batteries, heat-pumps and geothermal

- but we can’t mine our way out of the climate crisis.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Economic and environmental cooperation is building between governments; responsible producers; private and public recycling and reuse industries; renewable energy industries; impacted communities; and a support network of environment and energy coalitions and associations. Indigenous communities, in particular, are on the front lines of the climate crisis.

This report is shared with over 1,400 people who work with or support critical metal recycling and reuse.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Featured links

* “South Korea: EPR System -- Packaging & E-Waste (Extended Producer Responsibility)

* “The Great Solar Repowering” (USA - global):

* “How Do You Know Which ITAD Vendors Are Held to a Standard?” (Information Technology Asset Disposition & R2 Certification) --(global)

* “Vapes – Do the right thing! / Vapes Recycling Safely in Ireland”

* “Secondary copper output continues to outpace primary growth” (global)

* “US scrap industry ‘hungry’ for cars”

* “New EV data challenges battery recycling assumptions” (global)

* “Southeast grows into US’ critical mineral hub”

* “Ruthenium: the ‘hidden champion’ metal” (global)

* “Brazil’s Far-Right Surge Puts the Amazon in the Crosshairs” (mining)

* “U.S. is ‘using Mexico as a garbage sink leading to ‘toxic crisis’, UN expert says”

* “Mercenaries suffer losses in DR Congo” (critical metals mining - Africa)

* “4-hour battery storage is cheaper to install than gas turbines all across globe” (Middle East - Africa - China +)

* “The Great Solar-Coal Flip: Rewiring Our Power Grid”

* “Beyond solar: The European playbook for whole home electrification”

* “Real Examples of E-Waste Recycling Organizations You Can Trust” (global)

* “How Millions of Tons of Electronic Waste are turned into a billion dollar industry” - (12min video )

_____________________________________________________________________________

The E-Waste economic & environmental opportunity

“South Korea: EPR System -- Packaging & E-Waste (Extended Producer Responsibility) -- by Energy Solutions Intelligence -- 28AUG26

“South Korea recycles roughly 60% of its municipal waste, one of the highest rates on Earth. The legal engine behind this is the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) System./Managed by the Ministry of Environment,… / ”Strategically, this model insulates South Korea from external scrap market volatility and reduces reliance on Chinese processing, a critical geopolitical buffer given regional trade tensions.”

https://energy-solutions.co/policy-intelligence/permitting-and-red-tape/south-korea-epr-extended-producer-responsibility

“The Great Solar Repowering”: “A new study from energy company Foundry-Logic argues that simply replacing old solar panels could add significant new capacity to the grid” -- by Emily Pontecorvo -- HEATMAP -- September 28, 2026

“Modern panels can produce as much as 70% more energy than new ones sold 20 years ago, according to Wood Mackenzie. A report .. estimates that “repowering” existing solar farms, or replacing old panels with new ones, could unlock about 9.6 gigawatts of solar power by 2030, 29 gigawatts by 2035, and 67 gigawatts by 2040.”

https://www.newsbreak.com/heatmap-news-1733655/4912630225151-the-great-solar-repowering

“How Do You Know Which ITAD Vendors Are Held to a Standard?” (Information Technology Asset Disposition & R2 Certification) -- by SERI - July 2026

“ ….. every ITAD vendor says the right things. They all promise to protect your data, follow the law, handle everything responsibly, and so on.”/ ”The gap between what a vendor promises and what they deliver is where the risk lies, …..” / R2 Certification is built to address exactly that gap, by holding certified facilities to a standard that includes detailed documentation and independent third-party auditing..”

https://sustainableelectronics.org/how-do-you-know-which-itad-vendors-are-held-to-a-standard/

“Vapes – Do the right thing! /Vapes Recycling Safely in Ireland” by JMCE -- Recycle IT -- October 5, 2026

“ …..more than 20 million electronic cigarettes. sold in Ireland in 2025 were not returned for recycling,….”/ “.. responsible vape disposal ….. Don’t drop .. on the street. Don’t throw ..from car windows. Don’t put ..in the general waste bin. Don’t leave them ..in a drawer. Recycle them safely. Ireland .. has free systems in place to make responsible disposal ... Every ..vape returned .. helps reduce litter, protect waste workers, prevent .. fires and recover valuable resources for the future.”

https://socialrecycleit.com/2026/10/05/vapes-do-the-right-thing/

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The Copper & critical metals recycling opportunity

“Secondary copper output continues to outpace primary growth” “Recycled-content copper production rose by 4.3 percent year on year in the first seven months of 2027, according to the International Copper Study Group.” --by Brian Taylor - Recycling Today - 30SEP26

“Primary copper production (using electrolytic and electrowinning technology using copper ore) grew by 1 percent and was outpaced by 4.3 percent year-on-year growth in secondary production using red metal scrap.” / “ ….. China and the Democratic Republic of Congo both have enjoyed increases in refined copper output this year while the rest of the world saw its refined copper output drop by about 2.5 percent.“

https://www.recyclingtoday.com/news/icsg-copper-refining-production-recycling-china-india-chile/?

“US scrap industry ‘hungry’ for cars” -- by Kirstin Linnenkoper - Recycling International - April 17, 2025

“The US generates around 12 million end-of-life vehicles per year. A total of 95% of all cars enter the recycling ecosystem, with at least 80% of total material being recycled./”Greener steel: Steel accounts for around 50% of a modern car. America processes some 5.4 million tonnes of aluminium per year, as well as 5.5 million tonnes of electronics, 2.3 million tonnes of plastics, 1.8 million tonnes of copper, one million tonnes of lead, 300 000 tonnes of zinc and 200 000 tonnes of lead….”

https://recyclinginternational.com/car-recycling/us-scrap-industry-hungry-for-cars/60486/

“New EV data challenges battery recycling assumptions” - by Kirstin Linnenkoper - Recycling International - July 7, 2026

“Batteries in electric vehicles (EVs) could stay on the road far longer than many forecasts have assumed, forcing recyclers, carmakers and policymakers to rethink their long-term strategies.”

https://recyclinginternational.com/commodities/battery-recycling/new-ev-data-challenges-battery-recycling-assumptions/64562/

“Southeast grows into US’ critical mineral hub” by Paul Lane - Resource Recycling -- October 12, 2026

“The US Southeast has seen a lot of investment in battery- and mineral-related business this decade, due in large part to investments offered under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.”/ “That helped drum billions of dollars of investment in EV battery-related projects and create tens of thousands of jobs …”/”States are doing their part to create a business-friendly environment …” (links to 7 new processing & manufacturing facilities)

https://resource-recycling.com/e-scrap/2026/10/12/southeast-grows-into-us-critical-mineral-hub/?

“Ruthenium: the ‘hidden champion’ metal” -- umicore news -- September 17, 2026

“Despite this extreme scarcity, there is strong demand for ruthenium for applications in electronics, data centers, AI and electrochemistry.”/ “….. circularity will play an increasingly important role for ruthenium, with Umicore’s expertise at the forefront. When a metal is this scarce and precious, the question of how it is managed, through recycling, collaboration, and efficient use, is just as important as the metal itself.”

https://www.umicore.com/en/media/newsroom/ruthenium-the-hidden-champion-metal/

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The mining problem that critical metals recycling could help resolve

“Brazil’s Far-Right Surge Puts the Amazon in the Crosshairs” by Amazon Watch -- 05OCT26

“Amazon Watch warns that the new balance of power strengthens political forces that support mining on Indigenous lands and the rollback of territorial and environmental safeguards, regardless of who wins the presidential runoff.”/ The “Association of Brazil’s Indigenous Peoples (APIB) …‘.. had already warned about this risk, denouncing the growing power of sectors pushing projects against Indigenous peoples. The next political cycle will be one of intense resistance.’ ”

https://amazonwatch.org/news/2026/1005-brazils-far-right-surge-puts-the-amazon-in-the-crosshairs

“U.S. is ‘using Mexico as a garbage sink’ leading to ‘toxic crisis’, UN expert says” -- by Verónica García de León and Erin McCormick -- the Guardian -- Tue 7 Apr 2026

“Government records show the US ships hundreds of thousands of tons of hazardous waste to Mexico each year, including lead-acid car batteries, as well as common scrap such as plastic, paper and metal for recycling.“/”Mexico’s federal attorney for environmental protection, said her agency had reached a regulatory ‘turning point’, and would start requiring industries to remediate environmental damage they caused. Her agency is rolling out a new air monitoring system to detect emissions coming from specific facilities, starting in an industrial corridor of Monterrey.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/07/mexico-us-toxic-waste-un-special-rapporteur

“Mercenaries suffer losses in DR Congo” -- by Jeronimo Gonzalez and Alexis Akwagyiram -- Semafor Africa - Oct 12, 2026

“The forces of US private security contractor Erik Prince suffered major battlefield losses in DR Congo last month,……calling into question his controversial firm’s actions in the country.”/”DR Congo has sought to speed up the implementation of a strategic mining partnership with Washington, which is looking to rival China’s access to critical minerals in Africa. However, insecurity remains a major challenge in the country.”

https://www.semafor.com/article/10/12/2026/controversial-mercenaries-suffer-losses-in-dr-congo

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Climate Solutions & Challenges

“4-hour battery storage is cheaper to install than gas turbines all across globe”By Kelly Pickerel |Solar Power World -- October 8, 2026

“In the Middle East and Africa, where utility-scale solar already leads at $37/MWh, four-hour storage is forecast to fall a further 33% to $80/MWh by 2035, displacing gas peaking on cost across every gas market in the region. China remains the global storage cost benchmark at more than 55% below the rest of Asia Pacific average, illustrating how manufacturing scale is redrawing the global cost map.”

https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2026/10/4-hour-battery-storage-is-cheaper-to-install-than-gas-turbines-all-across-globe/?

“The Great Solar-Coal Flip: Rewiring Our Power Grid” by Bill Frist - Forbes -- 27AUG26

Austin, Texas

“In May 2026, solar generated more electricity in the U.S. than coal for the first time on record. Solar supplied 12.8 percent of the nation’s electricity that month, compared with 12.2 percent from coal. Solar, in the process, became our third-largest source of electricity, trailing only natural gas and nuclear power.”

https://www.forbes.com/sites/billfrist/2026/08/27/the-great-solar-coal-flip-rewiring-our-power-grid/

“Beyond solar: The European playbook for whole home electrification” by Aurora Solar -- 2026

“In Europe right now, EVs are outselling gas cars for the first time. IKEA is offering dynamic electricity rates bundled with solar and heat pumps. Octopus Energy will lease you an electric vehicle from the same company that installs your solar panels and supplies your electricity. And a new generation of installers has moved so far past ‘just solar’ that storage is nearly a universal attachment, not a premium add-on.”

https://aurorasolar.com/beyond-solar-european-playbook-whole-home-electrification/

_____________________________________________________________

What can we do ?

Recycle our e-waste & metals (of course) / use & support our local & regional recycling centers (government & industry) / support organizations advocating for rapid expansion of sustainable e-waste & metal recycling.

“Real Examples of E-Waste Recycling Organizations You Can Trust” - International (USA +) by Jamie -- Examples Of -- December 1, 2025

“This guide walks through vetted, real-world examples of e-waste recycling organizations you can trust, from global nonprofits to local certified recyclers in the United States.”/ “… what good e-waste recycling actually looks like in 2024–2025, which certifications matter, ..how to avoid shady “recyclers” who just ship toxic waste overseas. …. examples of programs you can use today—whether you’re a homeowner with one busted TV or an IT manager with a pallet of retired servers.”

https://examples-of.com/environmental-sustainability/recycling-guides/e-waste-recycling-guide/environmental-sustainability-recycling-guides-e-waste-recycling-guide-examples-of-organizations-that-accept-e-waste-for-recycling/

__________________________________________________________________________________

A Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report

is published twice a month

Please click to subscribe:

$55 a year

__________________________________________________________________________________

“How Millions of Tons of Electronic Waste are turned into a billion dollar industry” - (12min video ) - Electronic Recyclers International (ERI) - June 2026

Video Tour of “the largest e-waste recycling facility in America”

“What actually happens to the millions of phones and laptops we throw away every year? Inside the 60+ million tons of annual e-waste lies billions of dollars in gold, silver, copper, and aluminum. But recovering these materials from a messy mix of plastic and circuit boards is no easy task.”

a Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report - #22

Monday, September 28, 2026

In this edition: 18 links including:

World E-recycling jobs/Silver rich solar/AI E-waste bomb/China copper scrap/New Minnesota Mine/ Nigeria processing/Indigenous AI-Mafia challenge/world solar takeover/China batterys+super-pollutant ______________________________________________________________________________

Advocating for a rapid expansion of e-waste and critical metals recycling and reuse projects around the world.

We need metals for solar, wind, energy storage, EVs, batteries, heat-pumps and geothermal

- but we can’t mine our way out of the climate crisis.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Economic and environmental cooperation is building between governments; responsible producers; private and public recycling and reuse industries; renewable energy industries; impacted communities; and a support network of environment and energy coalitions and associations. Indigenous communities, in particular, are on the front lines of the climate crisis.

This report is shared with over 1,400 people who work with or support critical metal recycling and reuse.

__________________________________________________________________________________

“E-waste and employment around the world” -- (6.32 million jobs” -- International Labor Organization -- 22DEC25

“This study delivers the first global evidence-based assessment of employment embedded in the e-waste value chain. By quantifying both direct and indirect jobs, and disaggregating them by activity, region, countries by their income level, and job characteristics, it provides a foundation for designing policies that harness the socio-economic potential of e-waste while addressing informality and environmental risks. Ultimately, the transition to a circular electronics economy can become not only an environmental imperative but also a pathway to safer, more productive, and more inclusive employment worldwide.”

https://www.ilo.org/publications/e-waste-and-employment-around-world

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Featured links

* “The richest silver mine isn’t underground but in solar” (global)

* “AI E-Waste May be 40 to 60 Times What Has Been Estimated, New Analysis Finds” (global)

* “Medical E-Waste Blueprint Finds Device Reuse Can Cut Environmental Impact Up to 94%” (global)

* “BIR’s ‘One Voice’ sets our vision for global recycling sector” (Bureau of International Recycling)

* “US electronics recycler sets foot in India”

* “China copper smelters turn to scrap as concentrate shortage deepens”

* “Danieli closes the gap between recycling and steelmaking” (Italy-Serbia-Chile-USA)

* “Blast, at last: Minnesota’s first new iron ore mine in 50 years targets new era of steelmaking” (USA)

* “Nigeria’s shift from export ing rocks to build ing industry”

* “Cleaner Automotive Supply Chains Start with Indigenous Peoples’ Consent”

* “Indigenous Peoples and the Mineral Footprint of Artificial Intelligence”

* “Indigenous Peoples Call on U.N. Action as Organized Crime Expands Across the Amazon”

* “Why solar power is taking over the world”

* “The battery era is here — and China is supplying it”

* “Climate Super-Pollutant from China’s Electric Grid Is Cooking the Planet”- (recycling solution)

* “Real Examples of E-Waste Recycling Organizations You Can Trust” (global)

* “How Millions of Tons of Electronic Waste are turned into a billion dollar industry” - (12min video )

__________________________________________________________________________________

The E-Waste economic & environmental opportunity

“The richest silver mine isn’t underground but in solar”

“As primary silver grades decline and solar demand surges, the industry must transition from viewing retired panels as waste to treating them as high-grade mineral reserves essential for the energy transition.

By Pablo Ribeiro Dias -- pv magazine - 27 Feb 2026

“In some reports, solar accounted for ~17% of global silver demand in 2024 and 29% of the total industrial demand. … an extraordinary number for a single industrial use case—…. exactly why silver is no longer a “background material” in the solar story. It’s becoming a determining variable.”/ “…… recovering silver from end-of-life solar is not just environmentally preferable, it’s one of the clearest ways to reduce pressure on primary supply while keeping the energy transition buildout realistic.”

https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/02/27/the-richest-silver-mine-isnt-underground-but-in-solar/

“AI E-Waste May be 40 to 60 Times What Has Been Estimated, New Analysis Finds” -- the Basel Action Network (BAN)- September 16, 2026

“ ….BAN released Part 1 of The Coming AI Waste Wave, a new four-part white paper series examining an overlooked environmental consequence of the global artificial intelligence boom: the vast amount of electronic equipment that will become e-waste as AI infrastructure expands dramatically and rapidly becomes obsolete.”/” ‘We cannot ethically manage the e-waste we produce currently”, Puckett said. “Technology companies must take steps now to develop a budget, new infrastructure and a plan to mitigate the AI toxic waste wave.’ “

https://myemail.constantcontact.com/AI-E-Waste-May-be-40-to-60-Times-What-Has-Been-Estimated--New-Analysis-Finds.html?soid=1114999858498&aid=5tCJwTPb0Eo

“Medical E-Waste Blueprint Finds Device Reuse Can Cut Environmental Impact Up to 94%” By Paul Ploumis -- Scrap Monster - 24SEP26

“.. EU-funded circular healthcare project found that reusable ECG lead sets can cut environmental impacts by 81%-94%, while better collection, repair and product design could recover more copper, gold, lithium and other critical materials from growing medical e-waste streams.”/”..research estimates that approximately 83 million wearable medical devices were placed on the European market in 2020…..,could approach 2 billion units annually by 2050.”/

https://www.scrapmonster.com/news/e-waste-recycling/medical-device-reuse-cuts-impact-up-to-94-2026-9-24/100087

“BIR’s ‘One Voice’ sets our vision for global recycling sector” (Bureau Of International Recycling) by Robin Latchem-- Recycling International --July 19, 2026

The Bureau of International Recycling has launched a manifesto setting out the industry’s collective vision as a cornerstone of manufacturing, economic resilience and sustainable development.

‘By creating an enabling framework that recognises recycled materials as strategic assets and supports their production, use and trade, governments can accelerate decarbonisation, reinforce economic resilience and deliver tangible progress towards a truly circular global economy.”

https://recyclinginternational.com/business/business-news/birs-one-voice-sets-our-vision-for-global-recycling-sector/64627/?

“US electronics recycler sets foot in India” By Martijn Reintjes -- Recycling International --August 19, 2026

“A new partnership between US recycler ERI and India’s Ecoreco aims to boost electronics recycling, critical minerals recovery and IT disposition (ITAD) across the Indian subcontinent.”

https://recyclinginternational.com/commodities/electronics-recycling/us-electronics-recycler-sets-foot-in-india/64774/

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The Copper & critical metals recycling opportunity

“China copper smelters turn to scrap as concentrate shortage deepens” By Lucy Tang - Metals Market Specialist and Lu Han -- S&P Global -- August 6, 2026

“The shift highlights how structural changes in global copper supply chains are reshaping Chinese refining operations, with potential implications for concentrate prices and trade flows across Asia-Pacific markets.”/”The growing reliance on scrap came as copper concentrate availability remained under severe strain. Treatment and refining charge (TC/RC), paid by miners to smelters for processing concentrate into metal, has fallen to record lows, reflecting increasingly tight concentrate supply.”

https://www.spglobal.com/energy/en/news-research/latest-news/metals/080626-china-copper-smelters-turn-to-scrap-as-concentrate-shortage-deepens

“Danieli closes the gap between recycling and steelmaking” by Kirstin Linnenkoper - Recycling International -- September 20, 2026

“.. growing pressure on steelmakers to improve efficiency, reduce emissions and secure raw material quality is driving a profound transformation in the role of the scrap yard. What was once considered a purely upstream, logistics-driven function is now evolving into a key operational lever, directly influencing meltshop performance and overall plant efficiency.”/”The experiences of Metalfer in Serbia and Aza in Chile illustrate how this approach can be successfully implemented in different industrial and geographical contexts.”

https://recyclinginternational.com/technology/product-spotlight/danieli-closes-the-gap-between-recycling-and-steelmaking/65025/

“Blast, at last: Minnesota’s first new iron ore mine in 50 years targets new era of steelmaking”

By Dan Kraker - Nashwauk, Minn. -- Minnesota Public Radio News -- September 23, 2026

“Those pellets, in turn, will be shipped around the country and the world, where they will help provide the feedstock for a new generation of cleaner, more efficient steel mills.”/“Mesabi Metallics is being built at the former site of Butler Taconite, which closed during a major economic downturn in the 1980s. ’Every taconite plant up here was shut down,’ recalled Nashwauk Mayor Greg Heyblom. ‘It just ravaged the (Iron) Range.’ “

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/09/23/first-new-taconite-mine-in-50-years-opens-on-iron-range

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The mining problem that critical metals recycling could help resolve

“Nigeria’s shift from export ing rocks to build ing industry”by Ader onke Atoyebi -- The Punch (via Press Reader) -- 12 Aug 2026

“(new)...policy emphasis on local processing and value addition….represents a significant departure from the old extract-and-export model.“/ “….compelling case study .. a major lithium processing facility has positioned the state closer to the global critical minerals value chain… West Africa’s largest lithium processing plant …”

https://www.pressreader.com/foryou?popupArticleId=281840060493029

“Cleaner Automotive Supply Chains Start with Indigenous Peoples’ Consent” by Nalori Chakma & Bryan Bixcul, SupplyChainBrain - September 11, 2026

“Many automakers have built on the progress of other sectors to include indigenous peoples’ rights in policies and supplier contracts, and some integrate these considerations into existing human rights due diligence systems. According to the 2026 Lead the Charge Leaderboard, 12 of 18 automakers surveyed have taken initial steps on indigenous peoples’ rights, with Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Tesla, Volkswagen and Renault ranking highest on this indicator.”

https://www.supplychainbrain.com/blogs/1-think-tank/post/44683-cleaner-automotive-supply-chains-start-with-indigenous-peoples-consent

“Indigenous Peoples and the Mineral Footprint of Artificial Intelligence” -- By Bryan Bixcul (Maya-Tz’utujil) SIRGE Coalition, Nalori Chakma (Chakma) Tallgrass Institute

“The rapid and unevenly regulated development of AI systems creates multiple layers of risk for Indigenous Peoples, from mineral extraction and water depletion to concerns involving Indigenous Data Sovereignty, intellectual property, surveillance, and exclusion from decision-making. AI can be a useful tool, but its impacts depend on who controls its development, who bears its costs, and whether Indigenous Peoples have the authority to say yes, say no, or determine the conditions under which AI-related infrastructure is built, data is used, and resources are extracted.”

https://www.sirgecoalition.org/news-and-articles/indigenous-peoples-and-the-mineral-footprint-of-artificial-intelligence?

“Indigenous Peoples Call on U.N. Action as Organized Crime Expands Across the Amazon” -- By Amazon Watch -- May 11, 2026

“.….. the Amazon has become a key hub for transnational organized crime, where illegal mining, drug trafficking, logging, and other illicit economies operate as interconnected systems that control land, resources, and populations.”/”…. criminal groups are establishing parallel systems of governance that displace Indigenous authority. Communities face violence, forced displacement, and threats against leaders. Militarized state responses fail to address root causes and actively increase risks for communities.”/

https://amazonwatch.org/news/2026/0511-indigenous-peoples-call-on-un-action-as-organized-crime-expands-across-the-amazon

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Climate Solutions & Challenges

“Why solar power is taking over the world” -- Here are four reasons solar energy has seen a meteoric rise in recent years” -- by Stephanie Pappas (edited by Andrea Thompson) -- Scientific American --August 18, 2026

“Solar in now the cheapest way to produce energy in human history”/ Two countries decided, if inavertently , to make it happen”/ “Solar lets countries skip fossil-fuel dependence entirely” / Across Africa, nations installed 4.5 new gigawatts of solar capacity in 2025, a 54 percent increase from 2024—the continent’s largest solar-growth year so far. / Fossil fuels are subject to scarcity; sunlight isn’t”

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-solar-became-the-cheapest-form-of-energy-in-the-world/

“The battery era is here — and China is supplying it”

Batteries are taking the energy sector by storm, whether to power vehicles or boost the grid. Most are made, and deployed, in China.” By Dan McCarthy - Canary Media --11 September 2026

“... most are used to power electric vehicles. But grid storage is growing ..fast: Globally, annual deployments grew by a factor of nearly 19 between 2020 and 2025. /” .. the U.S. .. batterymaking sector has ..begun to flourish./ “The European Union, … aims to meet 90% of its own domestic battery needs by 2030, but is not on track …”/“China’s economies of scale — and its accumulated know-how — are potent forces. Plus, the nation plays an outsized role in refining and processing ..”.. battery adoption will keep growing — and China will keep making most of those batteries.”

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/batteries/the-battery-era-is-here-and-china-is-supplying-it

“Climate Super-Pollutant from China’s Electric Grid Is Cooking the Planet”

“The nation’s electric utilities release vast quantities of the world’s most potent greenhouse gas. Recycling efforts could slash emissions at little cost, an Inside Climate News analysis reveals.”

By Phil McKenna -- Inside Climate News -- September 20, 2026

“By 2014 government researchers in China warned that SF6 poses “a significant potential threat to the global environment.” However, emissions … remain unregulated.”/ “….electric utilities in China recycle—or have the ability to recycle—90 percent of their waste SF6 gas. However,….. the actual recycling rate is .., around 30 percent.”

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/20092026/china-grid-sf6-emissions/

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

What can we do ?

Recycle our e-waste & metals (of course) / use & support our local & regional recycling centers (government & industry) / support organizations advocating for rapid expansion of sustainable e-waste & metal recycling.

“Real Examples of E-Waste Recycling Organizations You Can Trust” - International (USA +) by Jamie -- Examples Of -- December 1, 2025

“This guide walks through vetted, real-world examples of e-waste recycling organizations you can trust, from global nonprofits to local certified recyclers in the United States.”/ “… what good e-waste recycling actually looks like in 2024–2025, which certifications matter, ..how to avoid shady “recyclers” who just ship toxic waste overseas. …. examples of programs you can use today—whether you’re a homeowner with one busted TV or an IT manager with a pallet of retired servers.”

https://examples-of.com/environmental-sustainability/recycling-guides/e-waste-recycling-guide/environmental-sustainability-recycling-guides-e-waste-recycling-guide-examples-of-organizations-that-accept-e-waste-for-recycling/

__________________________________________________________________________________

A Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report

is published twice a month

Please click to subscribe:

$55 a year

__________________________________________________________________________________

“How Millions of Tons of Electronic Waste are turned into a billion dollar industry” - (12min video ) - Electronic Recyclers International (ERI) - June 2026

Video Tour of “the largest e-waste recycling facility in America”

“What actually happens to the millions of phones and laptops we throw away every year? Inside the 60+ million tons of annual e-waste lies billions of dollars in gold, silver, copper, and aluminum. But recovering these materials from a messy mix of plastic and circuit boards is no easy task.”

Sep 16, 2026

a Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report #21

Wednesday, September 16, 2026

In this edition: 18 links including:

Top Euro solar recyclers/BestBuy zero waste/illegal e-waste Indonesia/Ship recycling wave/Sodium-ion boom/Indonesia coal nickel/sulfide mining myth/Nigeria minerals/Rainforest success/China solar eclipse

__________________________________________________________________________________

Advocating for a rapid expansion of e-waste and critical metalsrecycling and reuse projects around the world.

We need metals for solar, wind, energy storage, EVs, batteries, heat-pumps and geothermal

- but we can’t mine our way out of the climate crisis.

__________________________________________________________________________________

“Elevating the ‘Copper for Clean Energy’ Talking Point” -- Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy - 3/3/21

“There are 1.1 trillion pounds of copper above the ground, and copper is infinitely recyclable. The US recycling rate for copper is 33%, as compared to 60% in Europe ….. if the amount of the US copper supply that came from recycling was 50% instead of 33%, that difference would be the copper equivalent of 13 PolyMet mines.”

https://www.mncenter.org/sites/default/files/document-grid/3-3-21%20MCEA%20copper%20recycling%20factsheet.pdf

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Economic and environmental cooperation is building between governments; responsible producers; private and public recycling and reuse industries; renewable energy industries; impacted communities; and a support network of environment and energy coalitions and associations. Indigenous communities, in particular, are on the front lines of the climate crisis.

This report is shared with over 1,400 people who work with or support critical metal recycling and reuse.

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Featured Links:

* “Top 10 Cos in Euro Solar PV Recycle Market (2026): Leaders Powering the Circular Economy in Solar Energy”

* “Best Buy achieves ‘zero waste’ goal at supply chain facilities”

* “European Electronic Waste Dilemma - Europe has high recovery, but imperfect recycling.”

* “Groups Warn Indonesia of Serious Violations of Basel Convention” - (electronic waste)

* “Ship recyclers braced for tidal wave of end-of-life tonnage”

* “Sodium-ion batteries are ready for world domination”

* “Putting recycled materials at the centre of the Critical Raw Materials Centre: Recycling Europe’s response to the European Commission’s Call for Evidence”

* “Nickel’s Climate Cost and Indonesia’s Push for Cleaner Production”

* “Minnesota’s Prove It First Bill and The Myth of Sulfide Mining Without Contamination”

* “Nigeria bets on grants to unearth mineral riches”

* “Pay Dirt - The road to critical minerals runs through communities” (Native American Lands)

* “ Tropical Rainforest Loss Drops 36% in 2025, but Fires Threaten Global Progress”

* “Solar eclipses coal as China’s top power source”

* “China’s complicated solar milestone”

* “New report finds tackling climate change and air pollution together could save trillions”

* “Real Examples of E-Waste Recycling Organizations You Can Trust””

* “How Millions of Tons of Electronic Waste are turned into a billion dollar industry” - (12min video )

__________________________________________________________________________________

The E-Waste economic & environmental opportunity

“Top 10 Companies in the Europe Solar PV Recycling Market (2026): Leaders Powering the Circular Economy in Solar Energy” by Chemical Research Insight - May 5, 2026

The Europe Solar PV Recycling market size was valued at US$ 132.6 million in 2024 and is projected to reach US$ 298.4 million by 2030 …”/ “As Europe accelerates its transition to a circular economy in renewables, the spotlight is on the key players who are driving innovation in PV module recycling, material recovery, and sustainable waste management solutions. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Europe Solar PV Recycling Market—a mix of environmental services giants, specialized recyclers, and energy leaders shaping the future of solar waste management.”

https://chemicalresearchinsight.com/2026/05/08/top-10-companies-in-the-europe-solar-pv-recycling-market-2026-leaders-powering-the-circular-economy-in-solar-energy/

“Best Buy achieves ‘zero waste’ goal at supply chain facilities”

“The consumer electronics giant said 29 of its supply chain facilities received TRUE Certification from GBCI.” by Zoya Mirza, Editor - Waste Dive -- Aug. 21, 2026

“The TRUE certification requires companies to divert over 90% of their waste from landfills, conduct regular waste audits, comply with local laws and discharge permits, keep contamination levels under 10% and maintain an active zero waste policy.”

https://www.wastedive.com/news/best-buy-achieves-zero-waste-goal-at-supply-chain-facilities/828413/

“European Electronic Waste Dilemma - Europe has high recovery, but imperfect recycling.” By Pablo Valerio -- EE Times -- 06.04.2026

“ In the European Union, stringent legislative frameworks mandate the collection and recycling of e-waste.” /”Certified European recycling facilities incur substantial overhead to meet environmental, safety, and labor standards,…”/ “Informal networks, unburdened by these expenses, can offer higher immediate cash payouts for valuable electronic scrap.”/”Organized networks frequently exploit maritime routes to transport electronic waste to developing nations.”

https://www.eetimes.com/european-electronic-waste-dilemma/

“Groups Warn Indonesia of Serious Violations of Basel Convention” - (electronic waste) by BAN (Basel Action Network) -- Jakarta. Kuala Lumpur. September 3, 2026.

“The groups affirm that Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines are taking stern action against illegal e-waste trafficking. Malaysia and Thailand have banned most e-waste imports, while the Philippines is beginning to turn away suspected containers of illegal e-waste. Meanwhile, Indonesia appears to be allowing blatant violations of its international obligations.”

https://www.ban.org/news/2026/9/2/groups-warn-indonesia-of-serious-violations-of-basel-convention

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The Copper & critical metals recycling opportunity

“Ship recyclers braced for tidal wave of end-of-life tonnage” By Kirstin Linnenkoper - Recyling International --July 9, 2026

“Between 70% and 95% of a vessel’s weight can be recovered as recycled steel. Yet despite its potential contribution to circularity and industrial decarbonisation, ship recycling remains one of the maritime sector’s most debated activities.”

“For Isabelle Radovan, policy advisor at Recycling Europe (formerly EuRIC), the stakes extend well beyond the maritime sector: ‘Ship recycling can make a significant contribution to decarbonise the European steel sector.’ The timing could hardly be more important. While the volume of recyclable steel from end-of-life vessels is expected to increase substantially in the coming years, European recycling capacity remains largely underused.”

https://recyclinginternational.com/latest-articles/ship-recyclers-braced-for-tidal-wave-of-end-of-life-tonnage/64576/

“Sodium-ion batteries are ready for world domination” By Kelly Pickerel | Solar Power World -- August 26, 2026

“.. lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) has become the most-installed chemistry type …., accounting for 80% of new battery storage worldwide in 2023.“/”Enter sodium-ion. Made from an abundant nontoxic element,….. And their lack of critical minerals means sodium battery manufacturing could theoretically set up in the United States, Europe, Australia — wherever.”/ “… Morgan Stanley Research estimated that sodium-ion batteries would hold 2% market share by deployment in 2027, but would jump to 20% by 2030 and 37% by 2035.”

https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2026/08/sodium-ion-batteries-are-ready-for-world-domination/

“Putting recycled materials at the centre of the Critical Raw Materials Centre: Recycling Europe’s response to the European Commission’s Call for Evidence” by Recycling Europe -- 29July2026

“Securing access to Critical Raw Materials (CRM) is crucial to strengthening Europe’s resilience and competitiveness. The creation of the CRM-Centre (CRM-C) is therefore a step in the right direction. This new EU body could help create demand for recycled materials, a much-needed element to scale recycling capacities in Europe. But for this, the CRM-C must be fit for recycled CRM by design.”

https://recyclingeurope.org/publication/putting-recycled-materials-at-the-centre-of-the-critical-raw-materials-centre-recycling-europes-response-to-the-european-commissions-call-for-evidence/

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The mining problem that critical metals recycling could help resolve

“Nickel’s Climate Cost and Indonesia’s Push for Cleaner Production”

“Indonesia dominates global nickel supply but relies on coal. A new roadmap shows how clean energy can decarbonize production and support the energy transition” By: Reza Rahmaditio, Ke Wang, David Criston Purba and Nada Zuhaira -- World Resources Institute - January 6, 2026

“.…. the Indonesian government has released a policy roadmap targeting an 81% reduction in emissions from the nickel industry by 2045 …”/ “Decarbonizing nickel .. would position Indonesia for long-term competitiveness in the fast-growing battery and EV markets, and reduce the local environmental and health impacts associated with coal-based production.”/ “…. Indonesia produced nearly two-thirds of global raw nickel (mine production) in 2024 … “

https://www.wri.org/technical-perspectives/nickels-climate-cost-and-indonesias-push-cleaner-production

“The Minnesota Prove It First Bill and the Myth of Sulfide Ore Mining without Environmental Contamination” by Steven H. Emerman, Ph.D., Malach Consulting -- for Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness ( thru Rivers Alliance of Wisconsin) -- February 1, 2023 / April 25, 2023

“At various times, eight mines were formally or informally put forward as candidates for model sulfide ore mines, including: 1) Bagdad copper mine (Arizona) 2) Sacaton (now called Cactus) copper-silver-gold mine (Arizona) 3) Cullaton Lake gold mine (Nunavut) 4) Eagle nickel-copper mine (Michigan) 5) Flambeau copper-gold-silver mine (Wisconsin) 6) McLaughlin gold mine (California) 7) Raglan nickel mine (Quebec) 8) Stillwater palladium-platinum mine (Montana) All eight candidates were discredited because they actually did have records of environmental contamination … ”

https://wisconsinrivers.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Prove_It_First_Bill_Report_Emerman_Revised.pdf

“Nigeria bets on grants to unearth mineral riches” -- by Alexander Onukwue -- SEMAFOR - Aug 21, 2026

“Government officials say it is an effort to identify untapped reserves of more than 44 minerals — especially for those used for batteries and digital infrastructure, like lithium, nickel, cobalt and rare earths — across 500 locations in the country, and fund research into processing technologies. The latter goal is in line with the growing African movement to reduce raw minerals exports in favor of local value addition.”

https://www.semafor.com/article/08/21/2026/nigeria-bets-on-grants-to-unearth-mineral-riches

“Pay Dirt - The road to critical minerals runs through communities” “The U.S. quest for a domestic source of strategic minerals is bringing mining companies back to Native American lands “ -- By Justin Worland -- TIME -- 17 Aug 2026

“Globally more than half of the minerals needed for the energy transition are on or near the lands of Indigenous or other land-connected peoples. Historically these communities have been displaced or suffered from polluted air and water as a result.”

https://www.pressreader.com/foryou?popupArticleId=282213722632424

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Climate Solutions & Challenges

“ Tropical Rainforest Loss Drops 36% in 2025, but Fires Threaten Global Progress” -- by World Resources Institute -- April 29, 2026

“Brazil’s progress shows what’s possible when forest protection is treated as a national priority,” said Mirela Sandrini, Executive Director, WRI Brasil. “But Brazil’s landscape is becoming more flammable, and growing fire risk means enforcement alone won’t be enough. Protecting these gains will require scaling community-led prevention and building an economy that rewards standing forests.”

https://www.wri.org/index%2ephp/news/release-tropical-rainforest-loss-drops-36-2025-fires-threaten-global-progress

“Solar eclipses coal as China’s top power source” “Historic capacity milestone underpins nation’s efforts in green transition”

By ZHENG XIN | China Daily | 09-02-2026

“.. coal-fired power is undergoing a profound structural shift. ………, coal is accelerating its transition from a foundational baseload provider to a flexible, more auxiliary supportive power source.”/ “Because solar is .. intermittent …., coal will temporarily remain the primary backbone for grid reliability.”/“Hao Yingjie, ..of the CEC (China Electrical Council), said this capacity milestone cements the foundation for China’s dual-carbon goals of peaking carbon emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060.”

https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202609/02/WS6a977a7ee4b06d4aa055bd74.html

“China’s complicated solar milestone” by Dan McCarthy -- Canary Media Weekly -- 4 September 26

“China still generates way, way more electricity from coal than from solar panels, even though solar’s capacity now outweighs coal’s. At current capacity factors, China’s solar fleet would need to be about 3.5 times bigger than its coal fleet in order to generate more electricity.” / “So, yes, solar has won the capacity race in China, and that is a truly remarkable milestone. But the real race — the one that measures actual electrons generated — is still coal’s to lose.”

https://hello.canarymedia.com/chinas-kinda-sorta-solar-milestone?

“New report finds tackling climate change and air pollution together could save trillions” by UN Environment Programme -- 07 SEP 2026

“ ‘Hidden assets: The economic and health case for climate and clean air action’, the new Global Economic Assessment of Integrated Climate and Clean Air Action by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), paints the most comprehensive economic picture yet of what stands to be gained by tackling the two together.”

https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/new-report-finds-tackling-climate-change-and-air-pollution-together-could

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What can we do ?

Recycle our e-waste & metals (of course) / use & support our local & regional recycling centers (government & industry) / support organizations advocating for rapid expansion of sustainable e-waste & metal recycling.

“Real Examples of E-Waste Recycling Organizations You Can Trust” - International (USA +) by Jamie -- Examples Of -- December 1, 2025

“This guide walks through vetted, real-world examples of e-waste recycling organizations you can trust, from global nonprofits to local certified recyclers in the United States.”/ “… what good e-waste recycling actually looks like in 2024–2025, which certifications matter, ..how to avoid shady “recyclers” who just ship toxic waste overseas. …. examples of programs you can use today—whether you’re a homeowner with one busted TV or an IT manager with a pallet of retired servers.”

https://examples-of.com/environmental-sustainability/recycling-guides/e-waste-recycling-guide/environmental-sustainability-recycling-guides-e-waste-recycling-guide-examples-of-organizations-that-accept-e-waste-for-recycling/

A Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report

is published twice a month

Please click to subscribe:

$55 a year

_______________________________________________________________________________

“How Millions of Tons of Electronic Waste are turned into a billion dollar industry” - (12min video ) - Electronic Recyclers International (ERI) - June 2026

Video Tour of “the largest e-waste recycling facility in America”

“What actually happens to the millions of phones and laptops we throw away every year? Inside the 60+ million tons of annual e-waste lies billions of dollars in gold, silver, copper, and aluminum. But recovering these materials from a messy mix of plastic and circuit boards is no easy task.”

a Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report #20

Wednesday, August 26, 2026

In this edition: 18 links including:

solar recycle $billions/China recycle bet/“Best”e-cyclers/e-waste Bangladesh/Camaroon jobs/Indonesia nickel/BWCA Mining Ban/Peru copper fight/restore Brazil/France nuke crisis/solar&drought/China EVs+

__________________________________________________________________________________

Advocating for a rapid expansion of e-waste and critical metals recycling and reuse projects around the world.

We need metals for solar, wind, energy storage, EVs, batteries, heat-pumps and geothermal

- but we can’t mine our way out of the climate crisis.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Economic and environmental cooperation is building between governments; responsible producers; private and public recycling and reuse industries; renewable energy industries; impacted communities; and a support network of environment and energy coalitions and associations. Indigenous communities, in particular, are on the front lines of the climate crisis.

This report is shared with over 1,400 people who work with or support critical metal recycling and reuse.

_________________________________________________________________________________

“More Than Ore: The Pivotal Role Recycled Copper Can Play in the Energy Transition” - World Resources Institute “

Copper produced from recycled materials can save up to 85% of the energy needed for mining and extraction …….. /“Currently, recycled copper accounts for about one-third of the world’s copper supply. ……”

https://www.wri.org/insights/pivotal-role-recycled-copper-energy-transition

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Featured Links:

* “Solar Panel Recycling Cost 2026: Why New Regulations Are Creating a Billion-Dollar Industry” (global)

* “Commentary: China’s next solar bet isn’t manufacturing. It’s recycling”

* “Best E-Waste Recycling Companies & Practices’’

* “The digital graveyard: Is Bangladesh becoming China’s e-waste back door?”

* “Financing Europe’s circular economy: EU Recyclers’ recommendations for effective Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes”

* “In Cameroon, waste is turning into jobs and dignity” (International Labor Organization)

* “Critical minerals become new weapons in US-China rivalry”

* “US ban on metal waste exports isn’t ‘shortcut’ to supply security”

* “Indonesia tightens control on nickel as the US and China scramble for critical minerals”

* “Walz signs executive order banning nonferrous mining near Boundary Waters” (Minnesota & Canada)

* “A Copper Mine on the Water Tap of a Metropolis” -- (Lima, Peru)

* “Brazil has 3.4 million hectares under restoration, one third of the Planaveg target”

* “France faces record nuclear shortfall amid heat, drought & jellyfish invasion”

* “Solar delivers as Europe’s power plants struggle amid heat and drought”

* “China’s EV shift cut pollution enough to prevent 262,000 deaths”

*“Real Examples of E-Waste Recycling Organizations You Can Trust”

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The E-Waste economic & environmental opportunity

“Solar Panel Recycling Cost 2026: Why New Regulations Are Creating a Billion-Dollar Industry” by Energy Agent -- May 19, 2026

“What was once seen as a distant waste management problem is rapidly transforming into a multi-billion-dollar economic opportunity, primarily driven by a wave of new regulations. The sheer volume of decommissioned solar panels heading our way is startling, but the solutions emerging are even more so.”

https://hub.ivhelp.ai/insight/solar-panel-recycling-cost-2026-why-new-regulations-are-creating-a-billion-dollar-industry

“Commentary: China’s next solar bet isn’t manufacturing. It’s recycling”

“China’s focused efforts signal the country’s view that solar panel recycling is a strategic approach to building a pipeline of critical materials to drive economic development and prepare for the next phase of the energy transition.”

By Pablo Ribeiro Dias - Chief Technology Officer, SolarCycle -- Recycling Today -- June 07,2026

https://www.recyclingtoday.com/news/chinas-next-solar-bet-isnt-manufacturing-its-recycling-pablo-ribeiro-dias-solarcycle/

“Best E-Waste Recycling Companies & Practices” | by Dr. Nick Becker -- ClimateSort -- June 16, 2026

“A new wave of waste management startups are transforming the e-waste problem into a circular economy, recovering precious metals, extending device lifespans, and keeping toxic materials out of landfills.”/ “E-waste is ..the world’s fastest-growing waste stream—..”/“ Recovering materials …reduces demand for virgin extraction, cuts carbon emissions, …..”

https://climatesort.com/e-waste-companies/

“The digital graveyard: Is Bangladesh becoming China’s e-waste back door?” by Sajibur Rahman - Mongabay -- 5 May 2026

“As the world turns its attention to China’s increasingly stringent waste import ban, a dangerous stream of electronic waste is entering Bangladesh. Despite the enactment of the Hazardous Waste (e-waste) Management Rules 2021, weak regulatory systems and illegal trade routes are making the country a major destination for global “e-waste.”Electronic waste .., which includes discarded computers, laptops, phones, refrigerators and medical equipment, has become a growing crisis.”

https://news.mongabay.com/2026/05/the-digital-graveyard-is-bangladesh-becoming-chinas-e-waste-back-door/

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The Copper & critical metals recycling opportunity

“Financing Europe’s circular economy: EU Recyclers’ recommendations for effective Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes” -- By Recycling Europe - 23 June 2016

“Over the past decades, EPR schemes have contributed to significant improvements in waste collection and recycling rates across several sectors.”/ ”The targeted revision of EPR schemes under the Circular Economy Act ..represents an .. opportunity to establish a clear, consistent, .. competition-friendly framework that remains adaptable to national contexts. It is essential to redesign EPR systems so that they fully contribute to Europe’s circular economy, industrial competitiveness and strategic autonomy objectives.”

https://recyclingeurope.org/publication/eu-recyclers-recommendations-for-effective-extended-producer-responsibility-epr-schemes/

“In Cameroon, waste is turning into jobs and dignity” -- International Labor Organization (ILO) -- 03APR26

“YAOUNDÉ (ILO News) – More than 840 tonnes of scrap metal have been collected, an urban site … in a state of disrepair for over a decade has been cleaned up, and more than 150 workers have been able to … work in safer and better-organised conditions, thanks to support provided by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Cameroon.”/”… made possible by the project “Formalisation of the ferrous waste collection and recycling sector to promote decent work and environmental sustainability”, implemented by the ILO.”

https://www.ilo.org/resource/news/cameroon-waste-turning-jobs-and-dignity

“Critical minerals become new weapons in US-China rivalry” By Ulviyya Poladova -- AZERNEWS 14Aug 2026

“This competition also raises a political question. What kind of future is being built if digital progress is paved with environmental destruction, labor abuse and new forms of inequality? The resource rich countries remain poor wihil powerful states and multinational corporations make profit.”

https://www.pressreader.com/foryou?popupArticleId=281595247360420

“US ban on metal waste exports isn’t ‘shortcut’ to supply security” -- Global Times - 13AUG26

“Supply chain security is a sophisticated systemic project built on long-term infrastructure accumulation, continuous technological research and development investment and an open and competitive market environment. Short-term trade barriers and export controls will never provide a short-cut to long-term supply chain security.”

https://www.pressreader.com/china/global-times/20260813/281767046047966

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The mining problem that critical metals recycling could help resolve

“Indonesia tightens control on nickel as the US and China scramble for critical minerals” by Anton Delgado & Aniruddha Ghosal -- Associated Press/Seattle Times -- Feb. 17, 2026

“Indonesia is tightening state control over the world’s largest nickel supply after years of betting the metal would anchor a homegrown electric-vehicle industry, and just as global demand begins shifting away from heavy reliance on nickel.”/”In one of the most public nickel-related seizures last year, Indonesian soldiers accompanied by a local television crew, took control of part of the world’s largest nickel mine.”

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/indonesia-tightens-control-on-nickel-as-the-us-and-china-scramble-for-critical-minerals/

“Walz signs executive order banning nonferrous mining near Boundary Waters” (USA-Canada) | By J. Patrick Coolican and Max Nesterak | Minnesota Reformer + KAXE Radio / August 18, 2026

“For five decades, mining companies have hungrily eyed the rich deposits of copper, nickel and other valuable metals in the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed, spurring a fierce resistance from environmentalists and Native American tribes seeking to protect one of the most pristine wilderness areas left in the United States with water so pure that people regularly drink right from the lakes.”

https://www.kaxe.org/local-news/2026-08-18/walz-signs-executive-order-banning-nonferrous-mining-near-boundary-waters?

“A Copper Mine on the Water Tap of a Metropolis” -- (Lima, Peru) by Diego Francesco Marin - New Leaf (European Environmental Bureau) -- July 1, 2026

“The EU has branded Peru a reliable, like-minded supplier of the copper its energy transition demands. But high in the Andes, a single mining project reveals the dark side of this alliance. Directly beneath the proposed mine lies the water tap for a metropolis of 11 million people, and it is hanging in the balance./ ”There is a second strain flaw in the story. The ‘sustainable copper” narrative almost always rests on the assumption that Europe needs far more of it to electrify. That assumption is increasingly contested.”

https://meta.eeb.org/2026/07/01/a-copper-mine-on-the-water-tap-of-a-metropolis/

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Climate Solutions / Challenges

“Brazil has 3.4 million hectares under restoration, one third of the Planaveg target” -- Authors: Mariana Oliveira, Antonio Couto Jr, Viviane Santos, Gabriella Maduã and Bruno Calixto -- Restaura Biomass / World Resources Institute Brasil -- 23/06/2026

“In Brazil, the National Plan for the Recovery of Native Vegetation (Planaveg) is the main instrument for implementing the National Policy for the Recovery of Native Vegetation (Proveg) and provides for the target of restoring 12 million hectares of forests by 2030.”/” More than 1.7 million hectares of the 3.4 million under restoration correspond to secondary vegetation in protected areas, such as conservation units and Indigenous lands. …”/ “… hundreds of thousands of jobs are being generated or maintained …. especially in rural territories, “

https://restaurabiomas.eco.br/en/news/brazil-has-34-million-hectares-under-restoration-one-third-of-the-planaveg-target

“France faces record nuclear shortfall amid heat, drought & jellyfish invasion” by Agence France-Presse /India Times -- 11AUG26

“France experienced a record nuclear power deficit exceeding twenty percent. This significant shortfall resulted from environmental factors impacting production capacity. Drought and extreme heat reduced water needed for cooling nuclear reactors. A jellyfish invasion also forced shutdowns at the Gravelines nuclear power plant. These combined issues affected thirteen of France’s fifty-seven nuclear reactors.”

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/global-trends/france-faces-record-nuclear-shortfall-amid-heat-drought-jellyfish-invasion/articleshow/133181403.cms

“Solar delivers as Europe’s power plants struggle amid heat and drought”

“Extreme weather spiked power demand just as nuclear, gas, and coal plants had to reduce their output. Solar and batteries helped keep people cool.”

By Austin Corona -- Grist /Canary Media-- 25 August 2026

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/solar/solar-delivers-europe-heat-drought?

“China’s EV shift cut pollution enough to prevent 262,000 deaths” by Fred Lambert -- electrek - Jun 8 2026

“... to extend the health benefits, China needs to accelerate the electrification of heavy-duty diesel vehicles and push NEV deployment into lower-income regions.”/ The findings … a backdrop of staggering EV adoption in China. ……electric vehicles crossed the tipping point in the world’s largest auto market, surging past 50% of new car sales.”/ “The effect isn’t unique to China. A study ..in January 2026 in The Lancet Planetary Health, …. found .. California’s adoption of zero-emission vehicles is measurably improving air quality.”

https://electrek.co/2026/06/08/china-ev-air-pollution-262000-deaths-study/

__________________________________________________________________________________

What can we do ?

Recycle our e-waste & metals (of course) / use & support our local & regional recycling centers (government & industry) / support organizations advocating for rapid expansion of sustainable e-waste & metal recycling.

“Real Examples of E-Waste Recycling Organizations You Can Trust” - International (USA +) by Jamie -- Examples Of -- December 1, 2025

“This guide walks through vetted, real-world examples of e-waste recycling organizations you can trust, from global nonprofits to local certified recyclers in the United States.”/ “… what good e-waste recycling actually looks like in 2024–2025, which certifications matter, ..how to avoid shady “recyclers” who just ship toxic waste overseas. …. examples of programs you can use today—whether you’re a homeowner with one busted TV or an IT manager with a pallet of retired servers.”

https://examples-of.com/environmental-sustainability/recycling-guides/e-waste-recycling-guide/environmental-sustainability-recycling-guides-e-waste-recycling-guide-examples-of-organizations-that-accept-e-waste-for-recycling/

A Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report

is published twice a month

$55 a year

_________________________________________________________________________________

“How Millions of Tons of Electronic Waste are turned into a billion dollar industry” - (12min video ) - Electronic Recyclers International (ERI) - June 2026

Video Tour of “the largest e-waste recycling facility in America”

“What actually happens to the millions of phones and laptops we throw away every year? Inside the 60+ million tons of annual e-waste lies billions of dollars in gold, silver, copper, and aluminum. But recovering these materials from a messy mix of plastic and circuit boards is no easy task.”

a Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report #19

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

In this edition: 16 links including:

EU Circular Economy Act/solar recycle breakthru/illegal e-waste ships/scrap fills steel need/drought recycling/China EV challenge/eco crime crackdown/nickel mine peril/Africa & climate/Amazon roadkill

________________________________________________________________________________

Advocating for a rapid expansion of e-waste and critical metals recycling and reuse projects around the world.

We need metals for solar, wind, energy storage, EVs, batteries, heat-pumps and geothermal

- but we can’t mine our way out of the climate crisis.

________________________________________________________________________________

Economic and environmental cooperation is building between governments; responsible producers; private and public recycling and reuse industries; renewable energy industries; impacted communities; and a support network of environment and energy coalitions and associations. Indigenous communities, in particular, are on the front lines of the climate crisis.

This report is shared with over 1,250 people who work with or support critical metal recycling and reuse.

_________________________________________________________________________________

“More Than Ore: The Pivotal Role Recycled Copper Can Play in the Energy Transition” - World Resources Institute “

Copper produced from recycled materials can save up to 85% of the energy needed for mining and extraction …….. /“Currently, recycled copper accounts for about one-third of the world’s copper supply. ……”

https://www.wri.org/insights/pivotal-role-recycled-copper-energy-transition

_________________________________________________________________________________

Featured links:

* “Circular Economy Act - the EU aims to transition to a circular economy for a cleaner and more competitive Europe.”

* “Solar Panel Recycling Breakthrough: Extracting 98% of Critical Materials”

* “How Millions of Tons of Electronic Waste are turned into a billion dollar industry” - (12min video )

* “Containers reportedly filled with illegal e-scrap set to arrive in the Philippines” -(USA-Philippines)

* “New Study: Enough Scrap to Meet Rising U.S. Demand for Recycled Steel”

* “Two Indian ship recyclers get EU thumbs-up”

* “Low rivers, higher costs: drought forces Dutch and German recyclers to rethink logistics”

* “China’s EV Problem: What Happens When Millions of Batteries Die?”

* “Recycling batteries can cut US reliance on critical material imports ‘within three years”

* “Five Amazon countries arrest hundreds in major crackdown on environmental crime”

* “Article 24: Justice is the Missing Mineral (Africa) “

* “Approved nickel mine in Ontario to damage Indigenous rights, environment, according to impact assessment” (Canada)

* “Powering the Planet: Habiba Ali on How Decentralised Energy Is Africa’s Answer to the Climate Crisis”

* “High Bills, Cheap Panels Drive A Philippine Solar Surge”

* “Zero roadkill as Amazon canopy bridges secure 15,000 crossings” (Brazil)

* “Real Examples of E-Waste Recycling Organizations You Can Trust” (International)

__________________________________________________________________________________

The E-Waste economic & environmental opportunity

“Circular Economy Act - the EU aims to transition to a circular economy for a cleaner and more competitive Europe.” -- by European Commission-European Union -2026

“90% of biodiversity loss is caused by resource extraction & processing

Up to 80% of products’ environmental impacts are determined at design phase

11.8% the current circular material use rate in the EU”

“The circularity rate ….how much of the materials we use are recycled or reused instead of being thrown away. Right now, Europe’s circularity rate is about 12%, but the goal is to double it to 24% by 2030. This target is part of the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal.”/ Also “Batteries Regulation & the Directive on Waste Elecrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE).”

https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/circular-economy_en

“Solar Panel Recycling Breakthrough: Extracting 98% of Critical Materials” by the Recycling Company -08JAN26

“SOLARCYCLE’s new 5 GW recycling facility in Georgia shows the scale of upcoming projects. This facility will handle up to 10 million solar panels every year, taking care of 25-30% of (USA) panels reaching end-of-life by 2030./ “….recycling rates remain dangerously low. About 90% of old panels in the United States end up in landfills.”/ “The lack of federal rules makes things worse. The European Union recycles 95% of its solar panels …”

https://solarrecycling.com/solar-panel-recycling-breakthrough-extracting-critical-materials/

“How Millions of Tons of Electronic Waste are turned into a billion dollar industry” - (12min video ) - Electronic Recyclers International (ERI) - June 2026

Video Tour of “the largest e-waste recycling facility in America”

“What actually happens to the millions of phones and laptops we throw away every year? Inside the 60+ million tons of annual e-waste lies billions of dollars in gold, silver, copper, and aluminum. But recovering these materials from a messy mix of plastic and circuit boards is no easy task.”

“Containers reportedly filled with illegal e-scrap set to arrive in the Philippines” ---”More than 180 shipping containers from the U.S. are scheduled to arrive at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in the Philippines between Aug. 6 and Sept. 30, BAN says.” --- By Deanne Toto, Editorial Director -- Recycling Today - August 3, 2026

“Under …the Basel Convention, parties such as the Philippines cannot permit the import of Basel-controlled waste from a nonparty (such as the U.S.) without a valid Article 11 agreement in place, which would allow such trade but provides an equivalent level of environmental protection”/ “Jim Puckett …..at BAN: …’The existing bilateral arrangement that covers only exports from the Philippines gives the country a lawful path to ensure illegal e-waste is taken back by the U.S. to be responsibly managed and recycled there—what should have been done in the first place.’ “

https://www.recyclingtoday.com/news/containers-reportedly-filled-wuth-illegal-escrap-set-to-arrive-in-the-philippines/?

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The Copper & critical metals recycling opportunity

“New Study: Enough Scrap to Meet Rising U.S. Demand for Recycled Steel” By the Steel Makers Association -February 27, 2025

“The study … confirms what steelmakers in America and around the world already know: the future of steel is in recycling, not mining,” SMA President Philip K. Bell says. “The availability of scrap and the quality of low-emissions production means that in the United States, in particular, the need for high-emissions steelmaking in blast furnaces and basic oxygen furnaces is diminishing. That change is good news for the environment and the competitiveness of American manufacturing.”

https://steelnet.org/new-study-enough-scrap-to-meet-rising-u-s-demand-for-recycled-steel/

“Two Indian ship recyclers get EU thumbs-up” By Robin Latchem -- Recycling International -July 28, 2026

“Indian yards have been included in the European Commission’s latest list of approved ship recycling facilities for the first time.”/

“Simon Bergulf, …..at the World Shipping Council SC, says, ‘Their inclusion would mark an important milestone, showing that one of the world’s principal ship recycling regions can successfully comply with the requirements of the EU Ship Recycling Regulation. We hope these facilities will act as trailblazers, encouraging other yards in the region to follow the same path.’ “

https://recyclinginternational.com/commodities/ferrous-metal-recycling/two-indian-ship-recyclers-get-eu-thumbs-up/64656/?

“China’s EV Problem: What Happens When Millions of Batteries Die?”Across the country, many retired electric vehicle batteries are processed by uncertified recyclers, creating environmental and worker safety risks. --- By Andrew Liu -- Inside Climate News --July 30, 2026

“Annual sales …. have surged from about 1 million in 2018 to more than 16 million in 2025.”/ “A new national regulation governing EV battery recycling .. on April 1. China is adopting a similar approach to Europe’s “battery passport” system, requiring automakers to bear greater responsibility for collecting and recycling ..” / “ …China has sufficient certified recycling capacity to manage the coming wave …. “ … China has also emerged as the global leader in EV battery recycling.”/ “But unless Beijing can prevent retired batteries from flowing into the informal market, the country risks repeating a familiar pattern: rapid industrial growth followed by a new wave of pollution.”

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/30072026/china-ev-battery-recycling-safety-risks/?

“Recycling batteries can cut US reliance on critical material imports ‘within three years’ “ By Robin Latchem - Recycling International – July 28, 2026

“ .. the report, from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) …”/ “GAO is a federal agency working for Congress in an independent and nonpartisan capacity. Its report examines:‘We looked at how substitution and recycling technologies might reduce reliance on imports. Battery recycling, extracting minerals from batteries for reuse, could reduce imports in two-to-three years.’

https://recyclinginternational.com/commodities/battery-recycling/recycling-batteries-can-cut-us-reliance-on-critical-material-imports-within-three-years/64659/?

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The mining problem that critical metals recycling could help resolve

Article 24: Justice is the Missing Mineral (Africa) -- Authors: Dr Ketakandriana Rafitoson, Dr Claude Kabemba, Nsama Chikwanka & Angela Asuncion - Resource Justice Network - July 23, 2006

“ The African Commission’s proposed General Comment on Article 24 offers a timely opportunity to clarify how States and businesses must protect environmental rights throughout Africa’s energy transition.” / “The transition must not reproduce sacrifice zones in the name of climate action, technological advancements, security or industrialisation. As Africa becomes a leader in the global energy transition, the proposed General Comment offers a critical opportunity to support rights-based resource governance that advances environmental protection, human dignity, community power and shared prosperity.”

https://resourcejustice.org/africas-energy-transition-must-not-come-at-the-expense-of-human-rights-why-the-african-commissions-general-comment-on-article-24-matters-for-communities-accountability-and-environmental-justice/

“Five Amazon countries arrest hundreds in major crackdown on environmental crime” By Steven Grattan - AP -- August 4, 2026

“Authorities from Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru said Tuesday that Operation Green Shield 2026, which ran from July 15-31, deployed more than 3,600 officers targeting illegal mining, logging, wildlife trafficking, fuel smuggling and land grabbing — the illegal seizure or occupation of land, often followed by forest clearing — across the Amazon Basin.”

https://apnews.com/article/amazon-environmental-crime-wildlife-trafficking-police-colombia-uae-e2687c95a1f9281d0fe1b94b02a6177b?

“Approved nickel mine in Ontario to damage Indigenous rights, environment, according to impact assessment” By Emma Honeybun - APTN News --(via Mining Watch Canada) --Aug 05, 2026

“First Nations in Ontario are torn over a large-scale mining project which would create jobs but permanently destroy several key habitats and watersheds. The Crawford Nickel Project is a proposed nickel-cobalt mine and metal mill …... It was approved by the federal Environment Minister on July 31. …. one of the largest mines of its kind, at approximately 118 square kilometres in size and 690 metres deep. According to the project’s impact assessment report, this will result in irreversible effects on the water, land, air, and First Nations …, despite strategies to reduce the damage.”

https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/approved-nickel-mine-in-ontario-to-damage-indigenous-rights-environment-according-to-impact-assessment/

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Climate Solutions

“Powering the Planet: Habiba Ali on How Decentralised Energy Is Africa’s Answer to the Climate Crisis” By Myrna -- AMDA - 05JUN26

Habiba Ali ,CEO of SOSAI Renewable Energies Company : ”Using Nigeria as a case study: the level of energy inequality is so severe that a large proportion of rural communities have no grid connection whatsoever. Minigrids are not a supplementary solution here — they are the primary solution. The government simply cannot extend the national grid to every rural area in any near-term timeframe, which means minigrid developers are effectively delivering national climate infrastructure.”

https://www.africamda.org/powering-the-planet-habiba-ali-on-how-decentralised-energy-is-africas-answer-to-the-climate-crisis/

“High Bills, Cheap Panels Drive A Philippine Solar Surge” By Cecil Morella & Chad Williams -- AFP News /Barron’s --Aug 04, 2026

“While the Philippine government has targeted a mix of 35 percent renewable energy by 2030, industry experts say the solar surge is a bottom-up phenomenon driven by businesses and individual consumers.” / “The Philippines this year became China’s number two buyer of solar panels,… installations had nearly doubled in the …nation of 116 million since early 2025.”/

https://www.barrons.com/news/high-bills-cheap-panels-drive-a-philippine-solar-surge-48c5a3de

“Zero roadkill as Amazon canopy bridges secure 15,000 crossings” By Suzana Camargo -- Mongabay --21 Jul 2026

“.…….. on the road that leads to Alta Floresta, a small Amazon town in the far north of Mato Grosso state, cases like the buffy-headed marmoset’s roadkill have not been recorded since 2024. That year, eight canopy bridges were installed, ….., over 15 months, the aerial wildlife crossings enabled 15,000 safe crossings …— and not a single roadkill.”/ “One of the hopes for reducing wildlife roadkill is the passage of a bill currently under consideration in Brazil’s Congress that would establish the National Road Safety Plan for Wildlife”/

https://news.mongabay.com/2026/07/zero-roadkill-as-amazon-canopy-bridges-secure-15000-crossings/

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What can we do ?

Recycle our e-waste & metals (of course) / use & support our local & regional recycling centers (government & industry) / support organizations advocating for rapid expansion of sustainable e-waste & metal recycling.

“Real Examples of E-Waste Recycling Organizations You Can Trust” - International (USA +) by Jamie -- Examples Of -- December 1, 2025

“This guide walks through vetted, real-world examples of e-waste recycling organizations you can trust, from global nonprofits to local certified recyclers in the United States.”/ “… what good e-waste recycling actually looks like in 2024–2025, which certifications matter, ..how to avoid shady “recyclers” who just ship toxic waste overseas. …. examples of programs you can use today—whether you’re a homeowner with one busted TV or an IT manager with a pallet of retired servers.”

https://examples-of.com/environmental-sustainability/recycling-guides/e-waste-recycling-guide/environmental-sustainability-recycling-guides-e-waste-recycling-guide-examples-of-organizations-that-accept-e-waste-for-recycling/

A Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report

is published twice a month

$55 a year

a Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report #18

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

In this edition: 17 links including:

Japan urban mining /EU e-waste wealth/ repowering wind/ Netherlands auto recycling /new MN iron mine/Mining conflict: DR Congo-Indonesia-Madagascar-Arizona/reforestation in Guatemala & Costa Rica etc.

________________________________________________________________________________

Advocating for a rapid expansion of e-waste and critical metals recycling and reuse projects around the world.

We need metals for solar, wind, energy storage, EVs, batteries, heat-pumps and geothermal

- but we can’t mine our way out of the climate crisis.

________________________________________________________________________________

Economic and environmental cooperation is building between governments; responsible producers; private and public recycling and reuse industries; renewable energy industries; impacted communities; and a support network of environment and energy coalitions and associations. Indigenous communities, in particular, are on the front lines of the climate crisis.

This report is shared with over 1,250 people who work with or support critical metal recycling and reuse.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Featured links:

* “US partner helps Itochu reclaim critical minerals from urban mine” (Japan)

* “By 2050 Europe’s waste could supply over half of critical material demand: key findings from the FutuRaM Final Report”

* “ScottishPower’s £1.5bn Whitelee repowering signals rebuild of Britain’s ageing wind fleet”

* “The Benefits of Repowering Turbines -- Revitalizing the Future of Energy” (wind)

* “EV battery recovery program expands across Canada after successful rollout in Quebec”

* “Auto Recycling Nederland (ARN): At the roundabout of the circular economy of car & battery recycling” (Netherlands)

* “US-based BESS companies Peak Energy, ESS Inc and Unigrid aim to commercialise sodium-ion in US, Europe” (Battery Energy Storage Systems)

* “Bloom ESG and e-Stewards Add First-to-Market Critical Metals Metric to Environmental Benefits Calculator”

* “Could a new iron ore mine turn Minnesota into a green steel powerhouse? ”

* “DR Congo’s mining law reform is raising tensions with investors”

* “US-Indonesia trade deal slammed as ‘extractive colonialism’ over mining, fossil fuels”

* “Madagascar - feared rare earths project in limbo”

* “Feds Grant Final Approval for Arizona Mine Situated in Critical Habitat for Jaguars and Mexican Spotted Owls”

* “Legal logging and soaring saplings: the ‘green islands’ bucking the deforestation trend in central America (Maya Biosphere, Guatemala)

* “Costa Rica’s Rainforests Are Growing Back—Here’s How the Country Defied Global Deforestation Trends”

* “Business Leaders Launch Action Plan to Scale Minigrids in Africa, Outlining a Comprehensive and Clear Framework for Urgently Needed Regulatory, Financial and Industry”

* “Real Examples of E-Waste Recycling Organizations You Can Trust” - International (USA +)

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The E-Waste economic & environmental opportunity

“US partner helps Itochu reclaim critical minerals from urban mine” -- By Kirstin Linnenkoper – Recycling International -- July 23, 2026

“Japanese trading company Itochu is launching a new business to recover critical minerals from discarded digital equipment, supporting the country’s push to strengthen domestic recycling.”/”The driving forces …. are the company’s subsidiary Belong and its US business partner ERI. /The partnership builds on ERI’s expertise as the leading electronics recycler in the US.” / “ Japan….. the e-cycling sector is projected to double from EUR 900 million in 2024 to EUR 1.8 billion by 2033.”

https://recyclinginternational.com/commodities/electronics-recycling/us-partner-helps-itochu-reclaim-critical-minerals-from-urban-mine/64638/?

“By 2050 Europe’s waste could supply over half of critical material demand” -- : from the FutuRaM Final Report - European Union funded - 27MAY26”

“Europe’s vast ‘urban mine’ is mapped – a world first FutuRaM project delivers comprehensive mapping and quantification of CRMs – critical metals and minerals essential to clean energy, digital technologies, defense and modern industry – and assesses recoverability Improves transparency and confidence in Europe’s ‘urban mine’ potential Benefits of recycling include net avoidance by 2050 up to 273Mt of CO2-equivalent emissions, comparable to the annual emissions of Spain”

https://www.scycle.info/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/News-Release-%E2%80%93-FutuRam.pdf

“ScottishPower’s £1.5bn Whitelee repowering signals rebuild of Britain’s ageing wind fleet” “More than half of Britain’s onshore wind fleet faces repowering decisions within the next decade” -- by Mathew Perry -- Energy Voice -- July 22, 2026

The project would replace the 215 turbines on Eaglesham Moor, south of Glasgow, with 124 machines standing around 250 m tall, lifting capacity from 539 MW to 1 GW./ “ the ..project would create £500 million in supply chain opportunities, …. /”RenewableUK said around 70% of lifecycle spend by UK onshore wind projects already takes place in the UK. That capacity could grow from 16 GW to more than 50 GW by 2050 under an ambitious scenario, … much of it through repowering.”

https://www.energyvoice.com/renewables-energy-transition/wind/601148/whitelee-repowering-onshore-wind-scottishpower-rebuild-uk/

“The Benefits of Repowering Turbines -- Revitalizing the Future of Energy”— by Matt Wessale, Westwood Professional Services -- 07JAN25

“Wind turbine repowering involves replacing turbine components such as blades, hubs, gear boxes, and other electrical components with updated technology” /“As renewable energy continues to gain momentum … it’s important to look at all opportunities to deploy the most effective and efficient new technologies. Repowering can be a great option for projects that are nearing the end of the initial lifecycle or could benefit from the latest wind turbine technology.”

https://westwoodps.com/recent-blog-posts/wind-turbine-repowering-do-you-have-your-permits

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The Copper & critical metals recycling opportunity

“EV battery recovery program expands across Canada after successful rollout in Quebec” “The program recycles end-of-life EV batteries while developing a sustainable battery management ecosystem” by Stephanie Bontorin -- Recycling Product News -- June 26, 2025

“This national rollout marks a milestone in the responsible management of end-of-life EV batteries, designed to collect, transport, repurpose, remanufacture, or recycle eligible end-of-life EV batteries from hybrid, plug-in hybrid, all-electric, and fuel cell vehicles outside of existing manufacturer-led recovery programs.”

https://www.recyclingproductnews.com/article/43428/ev-battery-recovery-program-expands-across-canada-after-successful-rollout-in-quebec

“Auto Recycling Netherlands (ARN): ARN connects parties at the roundabout of the circular economy of car and battery recycling. We outline the developments, performance, and results in 2025.” -- July 2026“

“The car recycling chain plays a key role in the availability of critical raw materials. In a world (of increasing) geopolitical tensions and material shortages …., recovering raw materials from … vehicles is becoming more of a necessity… / “Stricter requirements for waste batteries involve many more parties in the recycling chain. ARN makes it possible for all importers and dealers to comply.”/ Car recycling in the Netherlands has been at a high level …. In 2025, 98.8% of the weight of a car was recycled. Virtually all materials, parts, & fluids are recovered, recycled, and/or subject to recovery.”

https://jaarverslag2025.arn.nl/en/

“US-based BESS companies Peak Energy, ESS Inc and Unigrid aim to commercialise sodium-ion in US, Europe” (Battery Energy Storage Systems) — by April Bonner -- Energy Storage News -- July 10, 2026

“Sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries .. gaining traction as an alternative to lithium-ion ..for several compelling reasons.”/ ”Fire safety …/ ”….. deployment in extreme climates.”/ “ material abundance .. lithium …is constrained by supply chains and processing capability, … subject to price volatility driven by geopolitical tensions, whereas sodium is the sixth most abundant element on Earth / ” …expanding globally across BESS, electric vehicle (EV), and electronics …” / “.. China-based companies such as CATL .. signed the world’s largest Na-ion BESS order to date …”

https://www.energy-storage.news/us-based-bess-companies-peak-energy-ess-inc-and-unigrid-aim-to-commercialise-sodium-ion-in-us-europe/?

“Bloom ESG and e-Stewards Add First-to-Market Critical Metals Metric to Environmental Benefits Calculator” -- Media Release (London & Seattle) - 14APR26

“ e-Stewards, a leading certification for responsible electronic waste management, and Bloom ESG, a tech company building the infrastructure for credible environmental claims for circular IT, announced a new Critical Metals Conservation metric for their Electronics Reuse and Recycling Environmental Benefits Calculator. “ /” The new feature responds to a growing market need: corporations, recyclers, and IT asset disposition providers are under increasing pressure to prove not only carbon impact, but also how valuable materials are retained within the circular economy … “

https://myemail.constantcontact.com/e-Stewards-and-Bloom-ESG-Add-First-to-Market-Critical-Metals-Metric-to-Environmental-Benefits- Calculator.html?soid=1114999858498&aid=6D8OUz1MOak

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The mining problem that critical metals recycling can help resolve

“Could a new iron ore mine turn Minnesota into a green steel powerhouse? Mesabi Metallics is opening a mine and processing plant on the Iron Range, spurring job opportunities and a chance to join the global transition to low-carbon steel.” -- By Brian Martucci - Canary Media - 23 July 2026

“On July 13, Mesabi blasted its first chunk of iron ore.”/ “The pelletizing plant will have the capacity to produce 7 million tons each year of concentrated iron pellets for direct reduction, a low-carbon way of turning iron ore into iron ready for steelmaking. The DR-grade pellets will advance one of Essar’s corporate mandates: to clean up an industry that accounts for about 9% of global greenhouse gas emissions.”

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/green-steel/new-iron-ore-mine-minnesota

“DR Congo’s mining law reform is raising tensions with investors” by Ruben Nyanguila --Semafor--July 20, 2026

“Across Africa, governments are tightening mining laws, taxes and export controls to capture more revenue from natural resources without driving away foreign investment. DR Congo, which produces roughly 70% of the world’s cobalt, has repeatedly expanded state control over its mining sector” / Kinshasa is trying to take a larger share of its mineral wealth while using access to that wealth to secure US support for peace and investment. Those two goals are now producing different rules…”

https://www.semafor.com/article/07/20/2026/dr-congo-mining-law-reform-stirs-fresh-tensions-with-investors-miners

“US-Indonesia trade deal slammed as ‘extractive colonialism’ over mining, fossil fuels” by Hans Nicholas Jong - Mongabay -- 27MAR26

· “Activists warn a new U.S.-Indonesia trade deal could accelerate mining, deforestation and fossil fuel use, with weak, nonbinding environmental safeguards.

· The agreement prioritizes critical minerals and energy access, opening up Indonesia’s resource sectors to deeper U.S. investment while limiting state control.

· Expanded nickel mining and coal-powered processing risk worsening pollution, land conflicts and forest”

https://news.mongabay.com/2026/03/us-indonesia-trade-deal-slammed-as-extractive-colonialism-over-mining-fossil-fuels/

“Madagascar - feared rare earths project in limbo” By Fabien Offner -- Climate Rights International -Jul 09, 2026

“Proposed by U.S.-based Energy Fuels, the project has been delayed for years, including by the October 2025 military coup triggered by youth-led protests demanding better access to water and electricity.”/”Rare earth mineral extraction is a particularly .. destructive process , as it demands enormous quantities of water and energy, relies heavily on chemicals, and generates toxic by-products that can contaminate rivers and farmland./ “….local communities have been protesting against the proposed Vara Mada project for years. Some protests have resulted in deaths, injuries, and detentions, including in March 2025 when security forces ‘violently suppressed’ a march of 2,000 people …..,“resulting in three deaths and eight persons injured,…. ”

https://cri.org/oped-madagascar-feared-rare-earths-project-limbo/

“Feds Grant Final Approval for Arizona Mine Situated in Critical Habitat for Jaguars and Mexican Spotted Owls”

“The U.S. Forest Service’s sign-off allows South32’s Hermosa mine, one of the country’s biggest proposed critical mineral operations, to proceed despite vocal opposition.” -- By Wyatt Myskow - Inside Climate News -- July 8, 2026

“ ….. a proposed mine …that will extract up to five critical minerals and was the first added to a program designed to streamline federal permitting. Local environmental groups quickly condemned the decision, alleging the federal agency failed to address fundamental legal questions and environmental concerns ..…” /“ ‘Political fanfare can’t hide the fact that this permit is a disaster for Arizona’s rural communities and endangered species like jaguar and ocelot who live in the area,’ said Russ McSpadden, Southwest conservation advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity, ‘This fight is far from over.’ ”

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/08072026/forest-service-approves-arizona-south32-hermosa-mine/

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Climate Solutions

“Legal logging and soaring saplings: the ‘green islands’ bucking the deforestation trend in central America”

“In Guatemala’s Maya biosphere reserve local people are making a living from trees at the same time as increasing forest cover, showing nature is best protected by those who depend on it” by Mark Hillsdon -- the Guardian -- July 23, 2026

“While the reserve as a whole has lost nearly 13% of its natural cover in 24 years, the community concessions have maintained near-zero deforestation, serving as “green islands” for the region ” /”household incomes in the concessions are up to three times higher than the national poverty level.”

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/23/guatemala-small-communities-restorative-forestation-aoe?CMP=GTUS_email

“Costa Rica’s Rainforests Are Growing Back—Here’s How the Country Defied Global Deforestation Trends” by bavanajiju@gmail.com --Trainwell Science -- March 13, 2026

“In 2024 alone, tropical forests lost an unprecedented 16.6 million acres, largely to fires and agriculture, with Brazil and Bolivia accounting for more than half of that loss. But somewhere in Central America, a remarkable reversal is taking place. Costa Rica, a nation barely the size of West Virginia, is not just slowing deforestation—it is reversing it.”

https://trainwellscience.com/costa-ricas-rainforests-are-growing-back-heres-how-the-country-defied-global-deforestation-trends/

“Business Leaders Launch Action Plan to Scale Minigrids in Africa, Outlining a Comprehensive and Clear Framework for Urgently Needed Regulatory, Financial and Industry “Mobilisation”by Myrna | Africa Minigrid Developers Association --Jan 26, 2026

“New analysis highlighted in the plan shows strong government demand for minigrids — connecting more than 115 million people — under the Mission 300 initiative, but rapid and decisive action is required by all stakeholders between 2026 and 2028.”

https://www.africamda.org/business-leaders-launch-action-plan-to-scale-minigrids-in-africa-outlining-a-comprehensive-and-clear-framework-for-urgently-needed-regulatory-financial-and-industry-mobilisation/

______________________________________________________________________________

What can we do ?

Recycle our e-waste & metals (of course) / use & support our local & regional recycling centers (government & industry) / support organizations advocating for rapid expansion of sustainable e-waste & metal recycling.

“Real Examples of E-Waste Recycling Organizations You Can Trust” - International (USA +) by Jamie -- Examples Of -- December 1, 2025

“This guide walks through vetted, real-world examples of e-waste recycling organizations you can trust, from global nonprofits to local certified recyclers in the United States.”/ “… what good e-waste recycling actually looks like in 2024–2025, which certifications matter, ..how to avoid shady “recyclers” who just ship toxic waste overseas. …. examples of programs you can use today—whether you’re a homeowner with one busted TV or an IT manager with a pallet of retired servers.”

https://examples-of.com/environmental-sustainability/recycling-guides/e-waste-recycling-guide/environmental-sustainability-recycling-guides-e-waste-recycling-guide-examples-of-organizations-that-accept-e-waste-for-recycling/

A Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report

is published twice a month

Please click to subscribe:

$55 a year

a Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report #17

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

In this edition: 17 links including:

EU Electronics “verified sustainability”/ Costa Rica E-Waste crisis/Malaysia-Finland e-cycling/circular construction/solar recycling / lithium problems / recycling $ engine / U.S-China & climate/ saving Amazon

_________________________________________________________________________________

Advocating for a rapid expansion of e-waste and critical metals recycling and reuse projects around the world.

We need metals for solar, wind, energy storage, EVs, batteries, heat-pumps and geothermal

- but we can’t mine our way out of the climate crisis.

__________________________________________________________________________________

“There are 1.1 trillion pounds of copper above the ground, and copper is infinitely recyclable. The US recycling rate for copper is 33%, as compared to 60% in Europe ….. if the amount of the US copper supply that came from recycling was 50% instead of 33%, that difference would be the copper equivalent of 13 PolyMet mines.”

https://www.mncenter.org/sites/default/files/document-grid/3-3-21%20MCEA%20copper%20recycling%20factsheet.pdf

_________________________________________________________________________________

Economic and environmental cooperation is building between governments; responsible producers; private and public recycling and reuse industries; renewable energy industries; impacted communities; and a support network of environment and energy coalitions and associations. Indigenous communities, in particular, are on the front lines of the climate crisis.

This report is shared with over 1,250 people who work with or support critical metal recycling and reuse.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Featured links:

* “The Electronics Industry Prepares for ‘Verified Sustainability’ in 2026 (European Union)

* “Costa Rica Tackles Growing E-Waste Crisis with National Collection Drive”

* “E-waste management: What Malaysia can learn from Finland”

* “91 organisations urge the EU to make circular construction a cornerstone of the Circular Economy Act”

* “Comstock Metals sets up solar panel recycling hub in Ohio” (USA)

* “5-MW solar project to be built on closed Minnesota landfill” (USA)

* “ReMA Releases Economic Impact Study on Earth Day Highlighting Recycling as $184 billion Engine of US Manufacturing and Environmental Progress” --Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) - USA +

* “VIDEO: World’s largest EV battery repurposing factory opens in Vancouver” -- (Canada)

* “Tariffs Will Not Solve America’s Copper Problem, Smarter Recycling Will”

* “Beyond Lithium’ is finally here, these companies and their investors believe” -( international)

* “Life or lithium in Argentina”

* “5 National Parks Most Threatened by Mining Exploration” - (USA)

* “Investors push for action to end deforestation and human rights risks in nickel mining” - Indonesia +

* “Energy storage essential to ASEAN nations’ knowledge-based economy transition and uncoupling from volatile fossil fuel costs” (Association of Southeast Asia Nations)

* “Build rules, not rivalries in China-EU ties”

* “Extreme Weather Will Upend U.S.-China Competition -The Cost of Falling Behind on Climate Adaptation”

* “The Amazon can be saved — with concerted action inside and outside Brazil “

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The E-Waste economic & environmental opportunity 6- 6

“The Electronics Industry Prepares for ‘Verified Sustainability’ in 2026 “By Matthew Ekholm -- EE Times -- 03.18.2026

“... circularity is no longer an aspiration; it’s becoming a requirement, backed by regulation, investor pressure, and increasingly skeptical consumers / “In electronics …..One of the most consequential changes is the upcoming rollout of digital product passports (DPPs) under the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)./ “….in the next year, starting with iron and steel .. setting a template that will extend to electronics ... will require manufacturers to track and disclose … materials, emissions, repairability, and end-of-life handling./ “… arrival of “verified sustainability,”

https://www.eetimes.com/the-electronics-industry-prepares-for-verified-sustainability-in-2026/#genecy-interstitial-ad

“Costa Rica Tackles Growing E-Waste Crisis with National Collection Drive” by ticosland -- June 9, 2026

“...in Costa Rica, extended producer responsibility is …… a legal and reputational cornerstone for businesses. It effectively reframes e-waste management from an operational cost into a core tenet of corporate citizenship.” / To facilitate broad public participation, a robust infrastructure of nearly 400 authorized collection points has been established across the country. This network is designed to make responsible recycling a convenient and accessible option for a majority of the population. The goal is to shift public behavior away from haphazard disposal and towards a more sustainable, circular approach to electronics consumption.”

https://ticosland.com/costa-rica-tackles-growing-e-waste-crisis-with-national-collection-drive/

“E-waste management: What Malaysia can learn from Finland“ -- in Free Malaysia Today by Mohamed El-Fatatry founder-manager at Electronic Recycling Through Heroes (ERTH) -- July 2025

“A lot more needs to be done to improve e-waste management in Malaysia before we can consider importing such discards.”

“My company would easily gain millions of dollars per year if Malaysia allows the import of e-waste. However, I do not believe that creating shareholder value should come at the expense of clean water and soil for future generations.” / “Finland already achieved 88% domestic e-waste collection rate in 2010, whereas Malaysia is barely at one third of that level 15 years later.” / “….. we should focus on implementing proven solutions, such as Finland’s comprehensive producer responsibility system, accessible collection infrastructure, and strong regulatory framework.”

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2025/03/07/e-waste-management-what-malaysia-can-learn-from-finland

“91 organisations urge the EU to make circular construction a cornerstone of the Circular Economy Act” --European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform - 03JUL26

“A coalition of 91 organisations, with cities and regions representing more than 80 million Europeans across 16 EU Member States and candidate country Albania,..” ….to face the raw materials crisis/ The construction sector is responsible for around 40% of all waste ..” /The Call for Action outlines four priorities for the upcoming Circular Economy Act:

· reduce material consumption and prioritise reuse over demolition and new construction;

· use public procurement to create market demand for circular building solutions

· harmonise end-waste criteria to facilitate use & trade of secondary materials across Europe

· strengthen the competitiveness of secondary and bio-based construction materials.

https://circulareconomy.europa.eu/platform/en/news-and-events/all-news/91-organisations-urge-eu-make-circular-construction-cornerstone-circular-economy-act

“Comstock Metals sets up solar panel recycling hub in Ohio”By Kelly Pickerel -- Solar Power World | June 24, 2026

“Comstock Metals specializes in industrial-scale recycling of end-of-life solar panels, that recovers valuable materials, including aluminum, copper, silver and glass, using a fully circular, zero-landfill solution.”/ The (Ohio) facility will … reduce long-distance transportation costs, which can account for 30 to 50% of total recycling expenses, while better serving its growing Midwest and eastern U.S. customer base.”

https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2026/06/comstock-metals-sets-up-solar-panel-recycling-hub-in-ohio/

“5-MW solar project to be built on closed Minnesota landfill” By Kelly Pickerel -- Solar Power World | May 20, 2026

“Cedar Creek Energy, Connexus Energy and Kearsarge Energy are constructing Minnesota’s first solar project built on a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency-managed closed landfill.”/ “The project transforms previously unusable land into a source of low-cost, clean energy for Connexus Energy and its cooperative members.”/ “The 5-MW solar array … is located on land managed through the MPCA Closed Landfill Program, which oversees more than 100 legacy landfill sites across the state.”

https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2026/05/5-mw-solar-project-on-closed-minnesota-landfill-now-complete/
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The Copper & critical metals recycling opportunity

“ReMA Releases Economic Impact Study on Earth Day Highlighting Recycling as $184 billion Engine of US Manufacturing and Environmental Progress” --by The Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) -- April 22, 2026 – (ReMArepresents more than 1,700 companies in the U.S. and 40 countries)

· Nearly 70% of U.S. steel is produced in electric arc furnaces, which run primarily on recycled steel.

· More than 75% of U.S. paper mills use recycled paper to make new products like cardboard boxes, office paper, and tissue.

· More than 80% of U.S. aluminum production comes from recycled sources, including the cans, car parts, and building materials Americans use every day.

· More than 90% of the structural steel in American bridges, hospitals, and high-rise buildings is made from recycled steel.

https://www.recycledmaterials.org/press-release/rema-releases-economic-impact-study-on-earth-day-highlighting-recycling-as-a-184-billion-engine-of-u-s-manufacturing-and-environmental-progress/

“VIDEO: World’s largest EV battery repurposing factory opens in Vancouver --

Transforming retired EV batteries into 1 GWh of battery energy storage systems creates a solution to a critical recycling need” By Stephanie Bontorin - Recycling Product News -- June 29, 2026

“ …millions of EV batteries already on North American roads are expected to be retired over the coming years. Moment Energy addresses both challenges by turning retired batteries into highly scalable energy storage systems that offer an immediate solution to energy shortages.”

https://www.recyclingproductnews.com/article/44723/video-worlds-largest-ev-battery-repurposing-factory-opens-in-vancouver

“Tariffs Will Not Solve America’s Copper Problem, Smarter Recycling Will” By John Mitchell, CEO & President, Global Electronics Association -- EE Times -- 17NOV25

“... it has become abundantly clear that what we need is a parallel effort to recover and recycle copper domestically as U.S. electronics manufacturers reassess their supply chains and production strategies.”/ “ To truly secure America’s copper independence, the U.S. must complement tariffs with a national copper recovery and recycling strategy, reviving domestic smelting capacity, incentivizing secondary processing and ensuring we capture the valuable materials already here in the U.S.”

https://www.eetimes.com/tariffs-will-not-solve-americas-copper-problem-smarter-recycling-will/

“Beyond Lithium’ is finally here, these companies and their investors believe” - Energy Storage News —10JUL26

“Lithium-ion is still very much the incumbent, …. and of course, our coverage continues to reflect this. Yet, the moves by providers of non-lithium solutions, from electrochemical (sodium-ion, flow batteries) and mechanical (Energy Dome’s CO2 Battery), indicate a growing commercial maturity”

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=d5a830d3b2&view=lg&permmsgid=msg-f:1870329149915402784

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The mining problem that critical metals recycling could help resolve

“Life or lithium in Argentina” by Susi Maresca -- ojala • July 24, 2025

“Salinas Grandes is a high-altitude basin spanning the Argentine provinces of Jujuy and Salta. Renowned for its beauty … It belongs to what corporations and governments call ‘the lithium triangle,’ which spans Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile and holds over half of the world’s lithium reserves.”/“Law 26,160, passed at the end of 2006, established an Indigenous territorial emergency and suspended evictions of communities …..”/ “Javier Milei repealed this law in December 2024 through Emergency Decree .. This gave companies carte blanche to proceed with evictions and start mining and tourism ventures in the area.” / ’We rely on the National Constitution……to defend our territory,’ says Néstor Alberto, a member of the Pozo Colorado community. ‘Our mandate doesn’t come from the constitution, but from our grandparents: to defend Las Salinas, to prevent multinational companies from coming and stripping our land, in this case, for lithium.’ ”

https://www.ojala.mx/en/ojala-en/life-or-lithium

“5 National Parks Most Threatened by Mining Exploration” By Charlie Olsen - National Parks Conservation Association -- Jun 3, 2026

“Demand for critical minerals is surging worldwide, fueling a 21st-century gold rush across the U.S. — .. some of our nation’s most iconic landscapes are directly in its path.”/ “… the first real indication of mining exploration is often roadbuilding, heavy machinery transportation, and noise and air pollution ..”/ “.. five parks where the threat has shifted from abstract to urgent. {1} Mojave National Preserve, California {2} Joshua Tree National Park, California {3} Grand Canyon National Park {4} and {5} Arches & Canyonlands National Parks --Utah’s canyon country faces a double threat: uranium and lithium exploration …”

https://www.npca.org/articles/11397-5-national-parks-most-threatened-by-mining-exploration

“Investors push for action to end deforestation and human rights risks in nickel mining” By Catherine Early - Reuters -- April 8, 2026

“Summary: New mining technologies have led to explosion of nickel extraction in Indonesia /NGOs allege illegal clearing, water pollution and violations of Indigenous peoples rights /Investors with $4.5 trillion in assets urging automakers to clean up nickel supply chains /EU EV policy alone could destroy 18 football fields of forest daily for 25 years” / “Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, excluded French mining group Eramet SA from its portfolio saying there was an ‘unacceptable risk’ that it had contributed to, or was itself responsible for, “severe environmental damage and serious violation of the human rights of uncontacted indigenous people”.

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/society-equity/investors-push-action-end-deforestation-human-rights-risks-nickel-mining--ecmii-2026-04-08/

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Climate Solutions 4- 4

Energy storage essential to ASEAN nations’ knowledge-based economy transition and uncoupling from volatile fossil fuel costs” By Andy Colthorpe -- Energy Storage News -- July 1, 2026

“ … if you fuel your economy with coal and gas, and obviously nuclear is costlier, your tariff is going to remain higher. So the only solution in hand definitely is renewable energy, which is cheaper and cheaper, which will fuel [the] economy, …. ” / “ .. energy storage is a vital tool for integrating its output into the system and adding the flexibility to make renewables dispatchable.” / “ ‘it is essential for Thailand and its ASEAN partners to establish energy security while aligning with the regional and national pathways to net zero emissions.’ ”

https://www.energy-storage.news/energy-storage-essential-to-asean-nations-knowledge-based-economy-transition-and-uncoupling-from-volatile-fossil-fuel-costs/?

“Build rules, not rivalries in China-EU ties” -- By Zhao Xinge and Qiu Ju | China Daily | 06JUN26

“This new wave of Chinese high-tech exports has triggered systemic anxieties over European deindustrialization, and the European Commission has responded by building an aggressive industrial firewall.”/ China’s strengths in electric vehicles, lithium batteries and photovoltaics have become cost-effective enablers of the EU’s green transition.”/ ”Both sides should also establish a critical raw materials stability initiative …..”/ “.. green governance offers an ideal starting point for rebuilding trust. Issues that are not politically sensitive, such as methane control, green shipping and battery recycling, offer practical opportunities for standards alignment and confidence building.”

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202606/27/WS6a3f1f27a310986e2b462348.html

“Extreme Weather Will Upend U.S.-China Competition - The Cost of Falling Behind on Climate Adaptation” by Alice C. Hill & Mengye Zhu - Foreign Affairs -- June 30, 2026

“……. the world’s largest emitters of carbon dioxide, both face great risks from climate-related extreme weather.”/ “.. in contrast to Beijing, Washington has no consistent national strategy./“ As of now, there does not appear to be any national adaptation effort underway. Instead, the Trump administration is rejecting the very idea of climate risk.” /”Some U.S. cities and states have made progress building climate resilience on their own.”/ ”Climate adaptation …presents an economic opportunity..”/ “China is .. dominant in clean energy industries, which .. account for roughly one-third of its economic growth.” /China has a lot left to do … it is far ahead of the U.S. in building the state capacity and crafting the long-term plans necessary …. “It’s time for Washington to make investing in adaptation a priority. If it fails to act, the U.S. economy will suffer the consequences.”

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/extreme-weather-will-upend-us-china-competition

“The Amazon can be saved — with concerted action inside and outside Brazil “ -- “As deforestation in the Amazon falls, fresh evidence shows that the rainforest can withstand global warming, but only if there is a worldwide effort to stop cutting it down.” -- nature (editorial) 10JUN26

“ ….the race is on to achieve two objectives that could save the Amazon. Lula must reach his goal of eliminating illegal deforestation in the region by the end of 2030, and the international community must redouble its efforts to limit global warming./ “… deforestation rates are going in the right direction, but …… eliminating illegal deforestation is likely to get harder, not easier.”

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-01824-x

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What can we do ? --

Recycle our e-waste & metals (of course) / use & support our local & regional recycling centers (government & industry) / support organizations advocating for rapid expansion of sustainable e-waste & metal recycling.

A Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report

is published twice a month

Please click to subscribe:

$55 a year

a Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report #16

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

In this edition: 14 links including:

The Irish e-cycling example /American e-cycling gearing up / Australia solar recycling / Colorado advanced battery bill /Automakers EV scorecard / the Arctic threat / China international development - good & bad

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Advocating for a rapid expansion of e-waste and critical metals recycling and reuse projects around the world.

We need metals for solar, wind, energy storage, EVs, batteries, heat-pumps and geothermal

- but we can’t mine our way out of the climate crisis.

__________________________________________________________________________________

“There are 1.1 trillion pounds of copper above the ground, and copper is infinitely recyclable. The US recycling rate for copper is 33%, as compared to 60% in Europe ….. if the amount of the US copper supply that came from recycling was 50% instead of 33%, that difference would be the copper equivalent of 13 PolyMet mines.”

https://www.mncenter.org/sites/default/files/document-grid/3-3-21%20MCEA%20copper%20recycling%20factsheet.pdf

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A personal note from the Coordinator:

This edition provides several examples of people and organizations who are succeeding in the face of complex opportunities and difficult odds. For example, the Irish have exemplary national e-waste recycling and California is rapidly replacing fossil fuels with renewables. Mining reform is growing while prospecting & resistance explodes -- Alaskans are organized to save the Arctic wilderness.

The U.S. e-cycling industries are gearing up for dramatic expansion. China’s EV automakers are improving communication with communities negatively impacted by their global reach which might indicate that China is more willing to change the damaging aspects of “the Belt & Road” to complement the substantial climate and economic benefits of their international renewable development.

The CMRRR mantra:

This report features stories that focus on the best practices and/or challenges of local, national and international industries; governments; environment-energy NGOs; and Indigenous and community organizations who support the re-circulation of critical materials for a just transition to climate solutions.

One thing is certain: there is an amazing amount of successful critical metal recycling and reuse going on in the world. But not enough. We need to do 4-5 times more to help survive our climate crisis. That is the focus of this substack. I provide links to the stories of those who are meeting this challenge and impacted by it -- with hope that we can inspire and be inspired.

John Kearney

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Featured links:

* “Irish WEEE recyclers call for ‘quality recovery’ “ (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment)

* “The Critical Minerals Race And America’s Recycling Opportunity”

* “Australia invests millions in solar panel recycling”

* “Recyclers target ‘hibernating devices’ to feed urgent critical minerals demand”

* “Colorado governor signs EV battery EPR bill” (Extended Producer Responsibility) USA

* “Nickel mining cuts boost stainless steel scrap trade” - global

* “2026 Leaderboard Report: Automaker scorecard shows an even cleaner EV is within reach” - global

* “OneDrum^{™ --} Simple, Safe Mixed Battery Collection - the Battery Network” - USA

* “Lawsuit challenges Trump administration’s massive public lands giveaway in Alaska” - USA

* “Mining Engagement by Region and Site Status” - IRMA ( (Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance) global

* “Eco-civilization meets planetary boundaries” | China Daily

* “Driven by Steel Production, China’s Belt and Road Construction Carries a Heavy Climate Cost”

* “China’s Clean Energy Investments Abroad Are a Boon for Climate, but Human Rights and the Environment Are a Different Story” - Hungary

* “California’s Battery Array Is as Powerful as 12 Nuclear Power Plants. Here’s What’s on the Horizon.”

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The E-Waste economic & environmental opportunity

“Irish WEEE recyclers call for ‘quality recovery’ “ (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment)

Consumers in Ireland recycled a record 21.1 million electronic and electrical waste items in 2025, up from 18.8 million in 2024.” By Robin Latchem -- Recycling international -- June 15, 2026

“The data ..released by Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Ireland . .adds that the European measurement system fails to capture the full picture of the nation’s recycling progress./ “…..84% of counties increased their WEEE recycling rates year-on-year, while an average 82% of materials collected were recovered for reuse in manufacturing, exceeding EU recovery requirement of 80%.”/ “ ‘The focus now ….. ensuring valuable materials including lithium, copper, cobalt and aluminium are recovered to strict standards and kept within the circular economy.’ ”

https://recyclinginternational.com/commodities/electronics-recycling/irish-weee-recyclers-call-for-quality-recovery/64389/

“The Critical Minerals Race And America’s Recycling Opportunity” By Kristen Edgreen Kaufman - Forbes -- 27JAN26

“Investing in domestic mining is necessary but insufficient—recycling infrastructure offers a faster, less geopolitically fraught path to supply chain resilience that has historically been overlooked by previous administrations” /”Bringing recycled critical materials into the discussion would give U.S. companies faster, cheaper and more resilient access to key inputs—while reducing geopolitical risk. Mining matters, but recycling is the quickest way to strengthen supply chains now.”

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristenkaufman/2026/01/27/critical-minerals-race-and-americas-recycling-opportunity/

“Australia invests millions in solar panel recycling” by Kirstin Lennenkoper - Recycling International -- June 16, 2026

“.… as Australia faces mounting pressure to improve solar panel recycling. Currently, only around 17% of retired panels are recycled, while most are landfilled, stockpiled or exported.”/ “The investment reflects the rapid growth of solar power across Australia. Western Australia alone is home to vast solar installations stretching across remote landscapes and regional communities./ “Australia is expected to generate around 90 000 tonnes of solar panel waste each year by 2030.”

https://recyclinginternational.com/commodities/electronics-recycling/australia-invests-millions-in-solar-panel-recycling/64394/?

“Recyclers target ‘hibernating devices’ to feed urgent critical minerals demand” by Megan Quinn -- Waste Dive • March 5, 2026

“ ‘Paired with other strategies like reuse and remanufacturing investments, the U.S. can turn this waste into an ‘economic powerhouse,” said Danielle Holly, of Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Electronics are already the “largest growing, the most valuable waste stream that we have.’ ” /

“ ‘The world has woken up to the dire need to decentralize our supply chains,’ said Ben Kincaid, CEO of ReElement Technologies’ Africa subsidiary. The company is a refiner that sources recycled magnet material as one of its feedstocks and is based in Indiana.’ ”

https://www.wastedive.com/news/recyclers-feedstock-urgent-critical-minerals-demand-eri-remade/814555/

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The Copper & critical metals recycling opportunity

“Colorado governor signs EV battery EPR bill --- It will be the first electric vehicle EPR law in the country to set specific recovery rates for nickel, cobalt and lithium. It received bipartisan support from lawmakers and recyclers” by Megan Quinn -- Waste Dive • Updated June 5, 2026

“Lawmakers envision these batteries to be reused in new EVs, repurposed for things like clean energy storage or recycled at end of life, according to bill text.” /” ‘By setting clear recovery rates and prioritizing reuse and repurposing, this bill helps preserve the functional value of battery components for as long as possible and reduces the need for new extraction,’ said Jessica Dunn, a scientist with the Union of Concerned Scientists”/ ”The Automotive Recycler Association applauded its passage ..”

https://www.wastedive.com/news/colorado-ev-epr-battery-bill-heads-to-governor-2026/821355/

“Nickel mining cuts boost stainless steel scrap trade” -- Ferrous metal recycling --by Robin Latchem -- Recycling International -- February 17, 2026

‘ ….. the overall surge is highlighted in BIR’s (Bureau of International Recycling) Mirror report on the stainless steel sector. Authors Vegas Yang and Mahiar R. Patel point out that Indonesia’s mineable quotas for 2026 of around 250 million wet metric tonnes (wmt) are a sharp decline from 379 million wmt in 2025.”

https://recyclinginternational.com/commodities/ferrous-metal-recycling/nickel-mining-cuts-boost-stainless-steel-scrap-trade/63187/

“2026 Leaderboard Report: Automaker scorecard shows an even cleaner EV is within reach” by Lead the Charge -- 02MAR26

“Momentum is building towards an even cleaner electric vehicle (EV), ….. built with circular practices and decarbonized materials, while minimizing negative impacts on the environment, workers and communities, according to a scorecard of 18 global automakers./ “The analysis, published by a network of climate, human rights and investor groups, also shows a core group of industry leaders – Ford, Mercedes, Tesla, Volvo and Volkswagen – are pushing further ahead.”/”… most significant progress …is specific to electric vehicle supply chains, with automakers choosing to decarbonize steel and aluminium ……/”.. also often going further on transparency, recycling and responsible sourcing for their .. battery supply chains.”

https://leadthecharge.org/2026-report-leading-the-charge/

“OneDrum^{™ --} Simple, Safe Mixed Battery Collection - the Battery Network” -- June 2026

“The award-winning OneDrum™ is changing the way large volumes of consumer batteries are collected and recycled. It’s a safe, all-in-one solution that lets you place mixed primary (single-use) and rechargeable batteries into one container without sorting by chemistry, individually bagging or taping any battery terminals. That means less prep time, less hassle, and more battery collection and recycling happening where it matters.”

https://batterynetwork.org/collection-partners/onedrum/

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The mining problem that critical metals recycling could help resolve

“Lawsuit challenges Trump administration’s massive public lands giveaway in Alaska” by National Parks Conservation Association -- 10MAR26

”Ten Alaska and national groups sued the Interior Department today for unlawfully removing federal protections over public lands in an area stretching from the Yukon River to the Brooks Range.”/ “Revoking PLO 5150 and 5180 would allow for the transfer of 2.1 million acres of priceless public lands and their waterways and wildlife to the state of Alaska. It’s a blatant effort to avoid national environmental laws to allow construction of a road that will enrich foreign mining companies and harm wild lands, Alaska Native communities, and America’s conservation legacy”

https://www.npca.org/articles/11361-lawsuit-challenges-trump-administration-s-massive-public-lands-giveaway-in

“Mining Engagement by Region and Site Status” - IRMA (Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance)

“As of June 2026, 113 companies have been engaged in the IRMA assessment system in 39 countries” by IRMA -- June 2026

“113 companies and 137 sites have been engaged in the IRMA system: • 79 sites are self -assessing against the IRMA Standard, the first step before independent audit • 30 sites are piloting the draft exploration or mineral processing standard self -assessments • 28 sites owned by 17 different companies have been engaged in the independent assessment system: Audit reports for 16 sites have been published”

https://responsiblemining.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IRMA-Mining-Engagement.pdf

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Climate Solutions

“Eco-civilization meets planetary boundaries” By Johan Rockström | China Daily | 2026-06-12

“Over a decade after the United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals ….. we are in a precarious situation.”/“China’s vision of an ecological civilization is a political and developmental framework that seeks to reconcile economic growth, social stability and environmental protection.”/

”This . suggests a need to further align the Belt and Road Initiative with China’s ecological civilization principles and scientifically defined planetary boundaries. If we fail to keep the Earth’s tipping point systems intact, ecological invoices will be sent, and they will hit indiscriminately across the world.”

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202606/12/WS6a2b5b52a310d6866eb4ddb1.html?

“Driven by Steel Production, China’s Belt and Road Construction Carries a Heavy Climate Cost”

“Strong regulations and incentives are needed to curb greenhouse gas emissions from Chinese manufacturing, two new studies conclude.” By Phil McKenna -- Inside Climate news --June 9, 2026

“The Belt and Road Initiative is China’s trillion-dollar development effort designed to help expand Beijing’s global influence.” / The study ………tallied climate pollution linked to more than 700 Belt and Road construction projects across 105 countries./ “ ….steel production that relies on hydrogen rather than coal can be a near-term solution .. .electric arc furnaces that recycle used or “scrap” steel will likely play an increasingly important role ….”/ “The vast majority … from 2008 to 2024 were for renewable energy projects, …/ “… emissions reductions resulting from operating these clean energy projects for approximately two years or less were comparable to the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with the construction of all 706 Belt and Road Initiative projects.”

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/09062026/china-belt-and-road-steel-production/

“China’s Clean Energy Investments Abroad Are a Boon for Climate, but Human Rights and the Environment Are a Different Story” - Hungary

“Chinese companies have pledged hundreds of billions of dollars in clean energy manufacturing investments overseas. The projects could help lower emissions, but they are having significant social, environmental and human rights impacts.” By Nicholas Kusnetz - Inside climate News --17DEC26

“Chinese companies have announced or built at least 18 EV and battery-related projects in Hungary …”/ “Across the globe, Chinese firms are embarking on an unprecedented effort to build the factories, mines and refineries needed to make EVs, batteries, solar panels and other clean energy technologies” / “ Hungary has attracted more investment than any country except Indonesia and Morocco.”/ “But many of the projects are proceeding despite local opposition and evidence of significant environmental, social and human rights impacts.”/ ”China’s exports of clean energy goods—mostly solar panels but also batteries and other technology—cut out 220 million metric tons of climate pollution last year, roughly equal to Spain’s emissions.”

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/17122025/china-oversea-clean-energy-investments/

“California’s Battery Array Is as Powerful as 12 Nuclear Power Plants. Here’s What’s on the Horizon.” By Claire Barber -- Inside Climate News - May 5, 2026

“For the first time, California discharged just over 12,000 megawatts, equivalent to 12 large nuclear plants, of energy from its battery arrays. That’s enough to meet over 40 percent of the state’s energy demand.”/ ”California is transitioning fairly quickly from using primarily natural gas resources to now using batteries. The batteries are [used] during the peak period, which is in the evening,”

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/05052026/california-battery-power/

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_________________________________________________________________________________

What can we do ? --

Recycle our e-waste & metals (of course) / use & support our local & regional recycling centers (government & industry) / support organizations advocating for rapid expansion of sustainable e-waste & metal recycling.

A Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report

is published twice a month

Please click to subscribe:

$55 a year

_____________________________________________________________________________

a Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report #15

In this edition: 15 links including:

E-waste as Europe’s vault /Apple’s recycling & climate success /global e-waste job #s/ new US recycling smelters /Panama & Canada mining conflicts/ “Responsible mining”/ Africa renewables boom etc.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Advocating for a rapid expansion of e-waste and critical metals recycling and reuse projects around the world.

We need metals for solar, wind, energy storage, EVs, batteries, heat-pumps and geothermal

- but we can’t mine our way out of the climate crisis.

__________________________________________________________________________________

“There are 1.1 trillion pounds of copper above the ground, and copper is infinitely recyclable. The US recycling rate for copper is 33%, as compared to 60% in Europe ….. if the amount of the US copper supply that came from recycling was 50% instead of 33%, that difference would be the copper equivalent of 13 PolyMet mines.”

https://www.mncenter.org/sites/default/files/document-grid/3-3-21%20MCEA%20copper%20recycling%20factsheet.pdf

__________________________________________________________________________________

A personal note from the Coordinator:

This report features stories that focus on the best practices and/or challenges of local, national and international industries; governments; environment-energy NGOs; and Indigenous and community organizations who support the re-circulation of critical materials for a just transition to climate solutions.

I grew up in a small mining town on Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range. My Grandfathers spent their working lives in the enormous iron ore pits. Our Mom’s dad was company and our Dad’s dad was labor. I have been particularly inspired by 25 years of project consulting in water protection and sustainable development with the International Indian Treaty Council {IITC} in Indigenous communities from the Arctic Circle to Bolivia. More recently, ten years of work with the MN Solar Energy Industries Association {MnSEIA} convinced me that we have the means and capability of saving our grandchildren. For the past 4 years I have been involved with an excellent network of e-waste recycling and reuse advocates.

We can argue endlessly about doing or not doing mining projects — and we should. But one thing is certain: there is an amazing amount of successful critical metal recycling and reuse going on in the world. But not enough. We need to do 4-5 times more to help survive our climate crisis. And we can. That is the focus of this substack. I provide links to the stories of those who are meeting this challenge and impacted by it -- with hope that we can inspire and be inspired. My plan has been to publish twice a month starting last mid October. We are on track. Readership has been consistently strong. Thank you.

— John Kearney

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Featured links:

* “Critical Raw Materials Are A Vital New Currency, Europe’s E-Waste is the Vault”

* “Apple reports 30 percent recycled material used in all products” (global)

* “E-waste and employment around the world” -- (6.32 million jobs)

* “The ‘vapeocalypse’ is burning through recycling plants”

* “BAN Praises Southeast Asian Governments and Urges Further Action to Crack Down on Illegal E-Waste Dumping”

* “Huge opportunity for automotive parts remanufacturing” (global)

* “Mega recycling capacity boost by Korea Zinc to back US economic security”

* “Aurubus sends positive signal for metals recovery markets”

* “Strait of Hormuz uncertainty keeps ageing ships from recyclers”

* “Zero Landfill Solar Panel Recycling -- No Waste. No Landfill. No Liability” (USA)

* “Sovereignty Under Fire: The Panama Mining Crisis and the Global Debate Over Investor-State Dispute Settlements”

* “Ring of Fire Push Pits Critical Minerals vs Peatlands & Indigenous Rights” (Canada)

* “Responsible Mining for the Energy Transition” (global)

* “Renewable energy is overtaking traditional power projects across Africa, industry leaders say”

* “It’s a great time to buy a used EV. Here’s how to get the right one”

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The E-Waste economic & environmental opportunity

“Critical Raw Materials Are A Vital New Currency, Europe’s E-Waste is the Vault” -- The Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) Outlook for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) report -- by the European Union-funded FutuRaM consortium -- 14OCT25

“With European demand for critical raw materials growing alongside geopolitical tensions and supply risks, a major analysis offers fundamental new data on the rapidly expanding size and value of Europe’s “urban mine” of electronic waste.”/ “..highlights copper and aluminium ”/ /”Recovering … metals from photovoltaic panels, the fastest-growing e-waste category, will be vital to Europe’s solar rollout ..”/ “.. Europe’s evolving policy framework: (for example) the Critical Raw Materials Act (2024): sets benchmarks for extraction, processing, and recycling of strategic materials, aiming for 25% of annual demand to be met from recycling by 2030.”

https://weee-forum.org/ws_news/critical-raw-materials-are-a-vital-new-currency-europes-e-waste-is-the-vault/

“Apple reports 30 percent recycled material used in all products” ---- Recycled sources now account for 100% of cobalt used in batteries and rare earth elements used in magnets” By Recycling Product News Staff -- April 21, 2026

“The company also accomplished its goal of removing plastic from packaging, with Apple products now shipping in fibre-based packaging that can be easily recycled at home” / “.. progress toward Apple 2030, the company’s goal to be carbon neutral across its entire footprint by the end of this decade. Apple’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2025 lowered by 60 percent compared to 2015 levels, …... The report highlights additional progress in renewable energy, materials innovation and recycling, water stewardship, and zero waste.”

https://www.recyclingproductnews.com/article/44526/apple-reports-30-percent-recycled-material-used-in-all-products

“E-waste and employment around the world” -- (6.32 million jobs” -- International Labor Organization -- 22DEC25

“This study delivers the first global evidence-based assessment of employment embedded in the e-waste value chain. By quantifying both direct and indirect jobs, and disaggregating them by activity, region, countries by their income level, and job characteristics, it provides a foundation for designing policies that harness the socio-economic potential of e-waste while addressing informality and environmental risks. Ultimately, the transition to a circular electronics economy can become not only an environmental imperative but also a pathway to safer, more productive, and more inclusive employment worldwide.”

https://www.ilo.org/publications/e-waste-and-employment-around-world

“The ‘vapeocalypse’ is burning through recycling plants” by Kirstin Linnenkoper - Recycling International --May 24, 2026

“Sealed tightly inside a typical aluminium casing, vapes also contain copper wiring, cobalt, nickel and lithium batteries,…… Trace elements including lead, mercury and chromium have .. been identified …” / “The financial impact is enormous. ….embedded batteries cost the UK economy around EUR 1.1 billion annually in clean-up costs and fire damage. ….offering a small reward, say EUR 2, could ‘dramatically reduce’ the number ending up in general waste. That could cut the fire risk by 70-90%.”/ ”…. 40 countries including the UK, France, Australia and New Zealand have banned disposable vapes.”

https://recyclinginternational.com/business/column/the-vapeocalypse-is-burning-through-recycling-plants/64206/?

BAN Praises Southeast Asian Governments and Urges Further Action to Crack Down on Illegal E-Waste Dumping” by Basel Action Network (BAN) - 24APR26

“Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia pushing back against a growing wave of hazardous electronic waste shipments following BAN’s intelligence alerts”

“The actions taken by targeted countries include searches and seizures of containers, prosecutions of government officials for corruption, as well as raids on informal, unpermitted factories across the region.”

https://www.ban.org/news/2026/4/7/ban-praises-southeast-asian-governments-and-urges-further-action-to-crack-down-on-illegal-e-waste-dumping

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The Copper & critical metals recycling opportunity

“Huge opportunity for automotive parts remanufacturing ” by Kirstin Linnenkoper -- Recycling International -- May 27, 2026

“The global automotive remanufacturing market, now worth EUR 44 billion, has the potential to double within four years, according to management consulting firm McKinsey.”

“A prime example of remanufacturing success is Audi, which saved over 230 tonnes of steel, 85 tonnes of aluminium and 80 tonnes of copper in 2024, as well as 5 000 electrical control units and 5 000 electric motors. This was achieved by reviving powertrains at an advanced facility in Ingolstadt, Bavaria.”

https://recyclinginternational.com/business/business-news/huge-opportunity-for-automotive-parts-remanufacturing/64229/?

“Mega recycling capacity boost by Korea Zinc to back US economic security” by Martijn Reintjes - Recycling International – December 16, 2025

“Once operational, the smelter will produce a wide range of materials essential to industrial manufacturing, clean energy technologies and advanced electronics. These include base metals such as zinc, lead and copper; …” Industry analysts see the US Smelter as one of the most significant industrial investments in the US critical minerals sector, signalling a broader shift toward allied collaboration and domestic capacity-building in strategically sensitive industries.”

https://recyclinginternational.com/commodities/non-ferrous-metals-recycling/mega-recycling-capacity-boost-by-korea-zinc-to-back-us-economic-security/62750/

“Aurubis sends positive signal for metals recovery markets” by David Daoud -- Resource Recycling / E-Scrap -- May 18, 2026

“Aurubis is one of the world’s largest copper recyclers and a key downstream outlet for complex metal-bearing material, including printed circuit boards, copper-rich fractions and precious-metal-containing scrap streams generated by electronics recyclers. …. continues to expand its multimetal recycling footprint, including its Complex Recycling Hamburg project in Germany and its Richmond, Georgia, secondary smelter in the United States.”/ -- the largest secondary copper smelter built in the U.S., .. to bolster .. supply chains and improve access to critical metals recovered from scrap.”

https://resource-recycling.com/e-scrap/2026/05/18/aurubis-sends-positive-signal-for-metals-recovery-markets/

“Strait of Hormuz uncertainty keeps ageing ships from recyclers” by Kirstin Linnenkoper - Recycling International -- June 5, 2026

“Global ship recycling activity remains subdued despite signs of easing tensions in the Middle East, says ship buyer GMS, while strong freight earnings encourage owners to keep older vessels afloat rather than selling them for scrap.”

https://recyclinginternational.com/business/business-news/strait-of-hormuz-uncertainty-keeps-ageing-ships-from-recyclers/64275/?

“Zero Landfill Solar Panel Recycling -- No Waste. No Landfill. No Liability” — Comstock Metals - 2026

“We recover 100% of the useful materials from every solar panel, every time. We never resell or repair any solar panels: we only recycle them. This means peace of mind knowing all solar panels are responsibly recycled. /The Comstock process produces aluminum flakes, glass pearls, and metal tailings that are safely reintroduced into industrial supply chains. We operate a one-of-a-kind recycling system that is engineered and fabricated right here in the United States of America.”

https://comstockmetals.com/

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The mining problem that critical metals recycling could help resolve

“Sovereignty Under Fire: The Panama Mining Crisis and the Global Debate Over Investor-State Dispute Settlements” -- by the businessroom.com -- April 13, 2026

“The resolution of the Panama-First Quantum dispute will likely set a major precedent for the “green energy” transition. As the demand for copper, lithium, and cobalt surges, the world must decide if the path to a low-carbon future will be paved with the same exploitative legal structures of the past, or if a new era of responsible, sovereign-respecting mining is possible. For now, Panama remains a cautionary tale of what happens when the rights of international investors collide with the will of a sovereign people and the rulings of their highest court.”

https://thebusinessroom.com/sovereignty-under-fire-the-panama-mining-crisis-and-the-global-debate-over-investor-state-dispute-settlements/

“Ring of Fire Push Pits Critical Minerals Against Carbon Peatlands, Indigenous Rights” by Kylie Brezden -- The Energy Mix -- May 25, 2026

“In northern Ontario, hundreds of kilometres from the nearest highway, a vast stretch of peatlands and boreal forest is being positioned as central to Canada’s economic future.”/ “Beneath the dense peatlands of the James Bay Lowlands lies the Ring of Fire, a 5,000-square-kilometre section of mineral-rich geological formation ... a crescent of nickel, chromite, copper, platinum, and titanium deposits… Above those underground treasures, the world’s largest intact peatland ecosystem stores vast amounts of carbon & supports Indigenous communities that have lived there for generations.”

https://www.theenergymix.com/ring-of-fire-push-pits-critical-minerals-against-carbon-peatlands-indigenous-rights/

“Responsible Mining for the Energy Transition” -- from IRMA (Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance) - 27MAY26

Responsible Mining Cost/Benefit Study: “Economically Rational and Strategically Important” --by• E.J. Klock McCook • Monkgogi Buzwani • Sudeshna Mohanty -- the Rocky Mountain Institute -- 07MAY26

“... in-depth interviews with four mining companies currently in the IRMA system to explore the internal and external costs associated with the IRMA system. Interviews with the miners, purchasers of mined material, and investors also reveal the benefits of responsible mining and find that the costs of implementation are modest relative to the financial exposure from operational disruptions caused by stoppages or catastrophic events.”/ Rigorous voluntary mining standards are helpful to address community, worker, and environmental concerns. But the adoption of such responsible mining standards is hindered by poor understanding of its costs and benefits.”

https://responsiblemining.net/2026/05/27/responsible-mining-cost-benefit-study-economically-rational-and-strategically-important/

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Climate Solutions

“Renewable energy is overtaking traditional power projects across Africa, industry leaders say” by Alan Olingo - AP -- Nairobi - 26MAY26

“Of the 322 energy projects announced across Africa in 2025, 173 were solar projects, followed by hydropower at 46, wind at 34, gas at 22 and hybrid energy projects at 14, according to the energy research firm Electron Intelligence.” / “Africa is not on the periphery of the global energy transition, it is sitting at its center,” said Mugwe Manga, climate finance lead at FSD Kenya. “The continent holds the world’s best renewable resources, and the economics have now decisively turned in favor of clean energy.”/ “Africa added a record 11.3 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity in 2025, triple the previous year. South Africa, Egypt and Ethiopia accounted for much of the growth.”

https://apnews.com/article/solar-battery-renewable-africa-hydro-6bdcc8449fd19fe0108eac827e0bd170

“It’s a great time to buy a used EV. Here’s how to get the right one”
By Alison F. Takemura-- Canary Media - 27 May 2026

“With gas prices up and more affordable options hitting lots, used EVs are looking like a sweet deal. We offer some useful tips to help you make the best purchase.”

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/electric-vehicles/great-time-to-buy-used-ev?

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________________________________________________________________________________

What can we do ? --

Recycle our e-waste & metals (of course) / use & support our local & regional recycling centers (government & industry) / support organizations advocating for rapid expansion of sustainable e-waste & metal recycling.

A Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report is published twice a month

Please click to subscribe:

May 27, 2026

a Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report #14

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

In this edition: 17 links including:

Trusted & accessible e-cyclers /S.Korea success & crisis /Indigenous drones in Amazon /India & Ghana e-solutions /Automaker mining commitments /EU solar recycling /Culture Threats in Norway & South Dakota

__________________________________________________________________________________

Advocating for a rapid expansion of e-waste and critical metals recycling and reuse projects around the world.

We need metals for solar, wind, energy storage, EVs, batteries, heat-pumps and geothermal

- but we can’t mine our way out of the climate crisis.

__________________________________________________________________________________

“There are 1.1 trillion pounds of copper above the ground, and copper is infinitely recyclable. The US recycling rate for copper is 33%, as compared to 60% in Europe ….. if the amount of the US copper supply that came from recycling was 50% instead of 33%, that difference would be the copper equivalent of 13 PolyMet mines.” https://www.mncenter.org/sites/default/files/document-grid/3-3-21%20MCEA%20copper%20recycling%20factsheet.pdf

____________________________________________________________________________

Economic and environmental cooperation is building between governments; responsible producers; private and public recycling and reuse industries; renewable energy industries; impacted communities; and a support network of environment and energy coalitions and associations. Indigenous communities, in particular, are on the front lines of the climate crisis.

This report is shared with over 1,250 people who work with or support critical metal recycling and reuse.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Featured links:

* “Real Examples of E-Waste Recycling Organizations You Can Trust” - International (USA +)

* “Turning Waste into Wealth: The Republic of Korea’s Experience”

* “Ghana’s E-Waste Integration: Challenges, Innovations, And Sustainable Solutions”

* “Building a Formal Electronics Repair Workforce in India”

* “RecycleNation Adds New Artificial Intelligence Feature, “RecycleAI” to Nation’s #1 Recycling Search Tool and Database” - (USA)

* “Latest Global E-Waste Statistics And What They Tell Us”

* “2026 Auto Supply Chain Leaderboard shows growing demand for responsibly sourced minerals – signaling a clear trajectory for the mining industry” (Global)

* “Solar Panel Recycling Breakthrough: Europe’s New Path to True Sustainability”

* “Redwood Materials Is Cashing In on Its Big Battery Bet” (USA)

* “Strong demand for recycled steel heralds multi-billion market growth” (Global)

* “Hospitals Cut Emissions and Save Nearly $500m Through Reprocessed Medical Devices” -- (18 countries)

* “Over 100 New Lithium Mining Projects Proposed Across the US as Green Energy Demand Surges”

* “After Standing Rock, could a canceled mine project offer a roadmap for opponents of a new oil pipeline in South Dakota?”

* “Norway: Planned copper mines threaten the Sámi culture”

* “Indigenous people combat deforestation with drones” (Amazon)

* “Fuel shortages and high prices push adoption of EVs in Africa, led by Ethiopia”

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The E-Waste economic & environmental opportunity

“Real Examples of E-Waste Recycling Organizations You Can Trust” - International (USA +) by Jamie -- Examples Of -- December 1, 2025

“This guide walks through vetted, real-world examples of e-waste recycling organizations you can trust, from global nonprofits to local certified recyclers in the United States.”/ “… what good e-waste recycling actually looks like in 2024–2025, which certifications matter, ..how to avoid shady “recyclers” who just ship toxic waste overseas. …. examples of programs you can use today—whether you’re a homeowner with one busted TV or an IT manager with a pallet of retired servers.”

https://examples-of.com/environmental-sustainability/recycling-guides/e-waste-recycling-guide/environmental-sustainability-recycling-guides-e-waste-recycling-guide-examples-of-organizations-that-accept-e-waste-for-recycling/

“Turning Waste into Wealth: The Republic of Korea’s Experience” by ADB (Asian Development Bank) -- 30SEP24

The EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) system incentivizes companies to design products that are easier to recycle and ….are less harmful to the environment. It targets companies ….producing four types of packaging materials, and 28 types of products … ” (including batteries …. and electronic equipment)/ “EPR has helped the ROK to turn waste into resources. Until 1994, over 80% of the waste was landfilled, with recycling accounting for less than 20%. From 1995, recycling rates steadily increased to 87% in 2022, ……while landfill had declined to 5%.

https://www.adb.org/results/turning-waste-wealth-republic-koreas-experience

“Ghana’s E-Waste Integration: Challenges, Innovations, And Sustainable Solutions” --Posted by Meghan Hodges -- Shun Waste -- Dec 08, 2025

“Ghana’s e-waste landscape is a complex interplay of environmental hazard and economic opportunity. Informal recycling, often conducted in unsafe conditions, dominates the sector, exposing workers and communities to toxic substances like lead, mercury, and cadmium. Recognizing this dual challenge, the Ghanaian government and NGOs are spearheading formalization efforts to regulate e-waste recycling, mitigate health risks, and create sustainable livelihoods.”

https://shunwaste.com/article/how-e-waste-is-integrated-in-ghana

“Building a Formal Electronics Repair Workforce in India” by SERI -- 13MAR26

The Mobile Repair Accelerator is a workforce development initiative in India, facilitated by SERI in collaboration with Google, TSSC, and Britco & Bridco.

“India is the world’s second-largest smartphone market, generating over 150 million device sales annually, with a formal electronics repair sector that generates roughly $350 million in revenue each year.² In Delhi alone, 95 percent of discarded electronics are handled informally,……” /”For the technicians working in that informal economy, the absence of formal training means no credentials, no career progression, and no pathway into the organized sector.”

https://sustainableelectronics.org/building-a-formal-electronics-repair-workforce-in-india/#

“RecycleNation Adds New Artificial Intelligence Feature, “RecycleAI” to Nation’s #1 Recycling Search Tool and Database”-- AP Los Angeles--(Business Wire)--May 19, 2026

“RecycleNation is a free online search engine tool and informational site designed to help anyone, anywhere in the United States find the nearest location to responsibly recycle anything. The #1 recycling tool on the internet is powered by ERI, the nation’s largest fully integrated IT and electronics asset disposition provider and cybersecurity-focused hardware destruction company”

https://apnews.com/press-release/business-wire/recyclenation-adds-new-artificial-intelligence-feature-recycleai-to-nations-1-recycling-search-tool-and-database-a53567d6de164342bf5b884088f31ca2

“Latest Global E-Waste Statistics And What They Tell Us” by Arabella Ruiz - the Roundup -- 18May26

“China, the US, and India produce the most e-waste./ Estonia, Norway, and Iceland have the highest e-waste recycling rates. For each country in the top 10 (e-waste producers), you can also see their individual recycling rate, according to the latest available data (Updated May 2026).

https://theroundup.org/global-e-waste-statistics/

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The Copper & critical metals recycling opportunity

“2026 Auto Supply Chain Leaderboard shows growing demand for responsibly sourced minerals – signaling a clear trajectory for the mining industry”-- Inclusive Development International - Lead the Charge -- March 4, 2026

“Automakers are increasingly pursuing responsibly sourced minerals for their electric vehicles, with leading companies starting to impose more stringent requirements on mining suppliers, according to a new analysis of 18 global automakers’ supply chain practices.”/ “Notably, the number of automakers with explicit commitments and supplier requirements to respect Indigenous Peoples’ rights—whose traditional lands encompass approximately 50% of the world’s energy transition mineral resources—has also grown from just six out of 18 companies in 2023 to 12 in 2026”

https://www.inclusivedevelopment.net/mining/2026-auto-supply-chain-leaderboard-shows-growing-demand-for-responsibly-sourced-minerals-signaling-a-clear-trajectory-for-the-mining-industry/

“Solar Panel Recycling Breakthrough: Europe’s New Path to True Sustainability” -- By Sarah -- INOX Solar -- September 13, 2025

“Current estimates indicate that Europe’s growing solar waste crisis will reach significant proportions by 2030.”/ “Recent breakthroughs in advanced recycling technologies have revolutionized how we separate and recover valuable materials from end-of-life solar panels. Innovative processes now enable the precise separation of silicon, silver, aluminium, and other precious metals with unprecedented efficiency rates of up to 95%.”

https://www.euro-inox.org/solar-panel-recycling-breakthrough-europes-new-path-to-true-sustainability/

“Redwood Materials Is Cashing In on Its Big Battery Bet” - The battery recycling company announced a $425 million Series E round after pivoting to power data centers.” By Katie Brigham --HEATMAP -- 28JAN26

“Instead of merely extracting battery materials, the company can now also repurpose electric vehicle batteries that still have some life left in them as energy storage solutions for AI data centers,..”/ “.. the rise of lithium-iron phosphate batteries — which now dominate the battery storage sector and are increasingly common in EVs — have reduced the need for nickel and cobalt in particular, as they’re not a part of this cheaper battery chemistry.”/ “ ‘The market potential is larger than any of us might realize. Over the next five or so years, We expect that repurposed electric vehicle battery packs could make up 50% of the energy storage market.’ ”

https://heatmap.news/climate-tech/redwood-425-million-series-e

“Strong demand for recycled steel heralds multi-billion market growth”by Kirstin Linnenkoper -- Recycling International -- May 4, 2026

“... stricter sustainability targets are pushing industries to increase recycled content in production.’”/ “… ferrous metals will record the fastest growth, largely due to their widespread use in construction, automotive production and heavy machinery. Moreover, the shift towards electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking is reinforcing this trend. EAF technology relies heavily on recycled steel feedstock, while also reducing energy consumption …..”

https://recyclinginternational.com/commodities/ferrous-metal-recycling/strong-demand-for-recycled-steel-heralds-multi-billion-market-growth/

“Hospitals Cut Emissions and Save Nearly $500m Through Reprocessed Medical Devices” by Mark Baker -- Healthcare Newsdesk -- May 12, 2026

“The latest survey from the Association of Medical Device Reprocessors (AMDR) found that healthcare providers saved $495.5 million (€421.2 million) in 2025 through the use of reprocessed medical equipment,” / “….a record 11,458 hospitals and surgical centres across 18 countries used reprocessed devices.”/ “The healthcare sector is under increasing pressure globally to reduce emissions, … products labelled for single use contribute significantly to hospital waste and carbon output.”

https://healthcare-newsdesk.co.uk/hospitals-cut-emissions-and-save-nearly-500m-through-reprocessed-medical-devices/

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The mining problem that critical metals recycling could help resolve

“Over 100 New Lithium Mining Projects Proposed Across the US as Green Energy Demand Surges” by the EnviroLink News Team - May 3, 2026

“The scale of proposed development underscores both the urgency of the clean energy transition and the need for careful environmental oversight. As these projects move through permitting processes, balancing America’s clean energy goals with environmental protection and community welfare will be crucial for sustainable lithium production that truly supports long-term climate objectives.”

https://www.envirolink.org/2026/05/03/over-100-new-lithium-mining-projects-proposed-across-the-us-as-green-energy-demand-surges/

“After Standing Rock, could a canceled mine project offer a roadmap for opponents of a new oil pipeline in South Dakota?” by Edward Helmore -- The Guardian -- 10 May 2026

“... a decade since …the Standing Rock protests against the Dakota Access pipeline gained national and international attention, new disputes are simmering over tribal rights in the Black Hills of South Dakota.”/ “…. an environmental organization and a Native American advocacy group sued the US Forest Service .. / “.. the company behind the project, abruptly withdrew, ….. a striking victory for Native American tribes and environmental groups … “ / ” … the decade since Standing Rock has seen a huge growth in projects attempting to mine tribal lands and areas of ceremonial significance.”/

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/10/south-dakota-sioux-oil-pipeline?

“Norway: Planned copper mines threaten the Sámi culture” by Voices (formerly Society of Threatened Peoples) -- 2026

“Copper is a key resource for wind and solar technologies and, since 2024, has been promoted as strategic under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act. But the waste from these mines would be disastrous for local fish populations, fisheries, and reindeer herding. Particularly at risk are the Repparfjord a protected salmon habitat and the Fiettàr reindeer grazing district, …… the very basis of life for the Indigenous Sámi. Together with Voices, they resisted, at times successfully: … , Credit Suisse withdrew under Sámi pressure.”/ “……., the venture has gained new momentum. In the summer of 2025, the conflict escalated again when the first explosions occurred during the reindeer calving season.”

https://www.voices-ngo.ch/en/publications/case-studies/planned-copper-mines-threaten-the-sami-culture/

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Climate Solutions

“ The Climate Crisis--Culprits and Liability: Contributions of South Korea’s Top ten emitting corporations to Climate Loss & Damage” by Authors: Soyeon Lim | Jeongho Jo & Contributor: Haewon McJeon -- SFOC (Solutions for Our Climate) -- August 2025

“By providing scientific evidence that links individual corporate emissions to quantifiable losses, this study offers a compelling case for establishing practical emissions reduction frameworks at both the national and corporate levels. ”/ “.. the emerging concept of carbon liability ….., spurring efforts to quantify the climate impacts of cumulative corporate emissions and pushing the boundaries of the carbon liability discourse in the legal and financial spheres.”

https://forourclimate.org/research/600

“Indigenous people combat deforestation with drones” By Regnskogfondet -- Rainforest Foundation Norway - 30APR26

“For Indigenous peoples in the Amazon, drones are far more than cheap and efficient forest monitoring tools. They are about safety, sovereignty, and the right to their own land.”

“Above the treetops, small drones circle silently through the humid air. Below .. some of the world’s most biodiverse and vulnerable ecosystems—and the homes of Indigenous peoples who have lived in and from the forest for generations.”/“Tropical rainforests are under intense pressure from illegal logging, mining, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure projects. Monitoring these enormous and often inaccessible areas has long been a major challenge. Satellite imagery …..lacks detail, .. ground patrols are time-consuming and can be dangerous. .. drones have changed the situation.”

https://www.regnskog.no/en/news/indigenous-people-combat-deforestation-with-drones

“Fuel shortages and high prices push adoption of EVs in Africa, led by Ethiopia” -- by Allan Olingo -- AP News, Nairobi , Kenya -- May 8, 2026

“Use of electric vehicles in Africa is surging, led by Ethiopia, as soaring prices and fuel shortages compel countries to opt for cleaner and cheaper transport. Africa imported 44,358 electric vehicles from China in 2025, according to data from China’s Commerce Ministry, up from 19,386 in 2024. The shipments, valued at over $200 million, highlight growing demand, especially in Ethiopia after it banned new imports of gas and diesel-powered vehicles in 2024.”

https://apnews.com/article/ethiopia-electric-vehicles-iran-war-d4d5ffa1a7b06d3b2e34d59dcc80f0e7?

________________________________________________________________________________

What can we do ? --

Recycle our e-waste & metals (of course) / use & support our local & regional recycling centers (government & industry) / support organizations advocating for rapid expansion of sustainable e-waste & metal recycling.

A Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report is published twice a month

Please click to subscribe:

$55 a year

a Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report #13

May 6, 2026

In this edition: 14 links including:

E-recycling certified in 43 countries/ Canada e-recycling impact /recycling the solar surge/ scrap copper & decarbonization/airplane recycling & used EV demand/ In Memoriam for indigenous defenders / Colombia Climate mtg Progress etc.

John M Kearney

____________________________________________________________________________

Advocating for a rapid expansion of e-waste and critical metals recycling and reuse projects around the world.

We need metals for solar, wind, energy storage, EVs, batteries, heat-pumps and geothermal

- but we can’t mine our way out of the climate crisis.

_________________________________________________________________________________

The UN’s ‘Global E-waste Monitor 2024’ says, “… there is 100 times more gold in a tonne of mobile phones than in a tonne of gold Ore.”

____________________________________________________________________________

Economic and environmental cooperation is building between governments; responsible producers; private and public recycling and reuse industries; renewable energy industries; impacted communities; and a support network of environment and energy coalitions and associations. Indigenous communities, in particular, are on the front lines of the climate crisis.

This report is shared with over 1,000 people who work with or support critical metal recycling and reuse.

________________________________________________________________________

Featured links:

* “R2 network making considerable impact with ~1,250 R2 Certified facilities in 43 countries processing used electronics responsibly …” (SERI - Sustainable Electronics Recycling International)

* “Over One Million tonnes of electronics have been diverted from Canadian landfill and illegal export through EPRA/Recycle My Electronics programs.” (Electronic Products Recycling Association)

*“Clean Earth e-waste processing site in Texas can now recycle solar panels” - USA

* “With great solar power comes great recycling responsibility” - USA

* “Chasing the lost copper: Global scrap and its role in decarbonization”

* “Green steel is the way forward for Indiana, former steelworkers say”- USA

* “Siemens Energy to supply used nickel alloy powder to 6K Additive as long-term agreement reached”

* “Aircraft recycling takes off as Airbus targets composite recovery” - France

* “Americans Are Buying Loads Of Used EVs, But You Might Want To Hurry”

* “In Memoriam: Remembering 46 Indigenous Defenders Who Were Murdered in 2025 in Latin America”

* “77 Civil Society Organizations Call on the Canadian Embassy in Ecuador to Speak Out on the Criminalization of Environmental Defenders by DPM Metals Inc.”

* “ ‘Historic breakthrough’: Colombia climate talks end with hopes raised for fossil fuel phaseout”

* “Solar power soared last year — and it’s not slowing down” - Global

* “Supply chain constraints, not demand, will define the solar decade”

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The E-Waste economic & environmental opportunity

“R2 network making considerable impact with ~1,250 R2 Certified facilities in 43 countries processing used electronics responsibly …”by Corey Dehmey for SERI (Sustainable Electronics Recycling International)-- 2026

In 2024, “657,000+ metric tonnes of electronics were processed by R2 Certified facilities”/“..larger impact was from reuse … 92+ million whole electronics and another 27+ million components reused. “ .. impact from reuse was 4,454,707 MT, 300x more carbon avoided than recycling./…. the overwhelming majority of R2 Certified companies are good actors, being regularly audited, and found to be largely conforming to the R2 Standard.

https://sustainableelectronics.org/r2-is-making-a-positive-impact-protecting-it-is-a-shared-responsibility/

“Over One Million tonnes of electronics have been diverted from Canadian landfill and illegal export through EPRA/Recycle My Electronics programs.” (Electronic Products Recycling Association) 2026

“Over 80% of Canadians polled have at least one end-of-life electronics device sitting at home. We don’t want these old electronics to pile up in landfills or be illegally exported creating environmental issues somewhere else.”

https://epra.ca/our-impact

“Clean Earth e-waste processing site in Texas can now recycle solar panels” By Kelly Pickerel | Solar Power World -- April 21, 2026

“ Jeff Beswick, President of Clean Earth. ‘Texas is one of the fastest-growing markets for solar and electronics development in the country, and having the people, the permits, and the processes all under one roof means our customers can move faster, stay compliant, and do right by the environment at the same time.’ ”

https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2026/04/clean-earth-e-waste-processing-site-in-texas-can-now-recycle-solar-panels/

“With great solar power comes great recycling responsibility” By Dr. Fortunato Villamagna, President, Comstock Metals | Solar Power World -- March 10, 2026

“This year, the industry is sharpening its definition of solar panel recycling. It no longer means recovering “most” materials or partially dismantling a module while sending residuals to landfill.”/ True recycling is defined by how effectively an operator converts end-of-life panels into materials that are safe and viable for reintroduction into the domestic supply chain …..”/ “Solar industry as a means to critical minerals reclamation, not just power”

https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2026/03/with-great-solar-power-comes-great-recycling-responsibility/

_____________________________________________________________________________

The Copper & critical metals recycling opportunity

“Chasing the lost copper: Global scrap and its role in decarbonization” -- a collaborative by Peter Spiller, Sebastian Göke, and Sergey Sokolov, with Daniel Keogh and Diedrik Tas, from McKinsey Report -- June 2025

“Increasing circularity in copper could significantly lower emissions... / “the world is expected to face a refined-copper shortfall of about 3.6 million metric tons (Mt) by 2035, ….-- Copper recycling could be the key to solving the supply challenge. Increasing the capture of secondary copper (that is, postconsumer copper scrap such as e-waste) would open new supply sources and eliminate emissions from producing primary copper.”

https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/industries/metals%20and%20mining/our%20insights/chasing%20the%20lost%20copper%20global%20scrap%20and%20its%20role%20in%20decarbonization/chasing-the-lost-copper-global-scrap-and-its-role-in-decarbonization.pdf

“Green steel is the way forward for Indiana, former steelworkers say”By Kari Lydersen --Canary Media — 2 April 2026

“Advocates warn that what’s left of the industry could be lost if companies choose to invest in dirty blast furnaces instead of modernizing with cleaner steelmaking.”/”Northwest Indiana’s steel mills once had more than 65,000 workers but employ only about 9,000 today. Without modernization, …, Northwest Indiana steel mill jobs could fall below 5,000 by 2034.”

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/green-steel/way-forward-indiana-steel

“Siemens Energy to supply used nickel alloy powder to 6K Additive as long-term agreement reached” by Sam Davies -- TCT Magazine - 25FEB26

To date, 6K Additive is said to have processed close to 20 tons of nickel superalloy powder originating from Siemens Energy, with the resulting material supplied into the broader additive manufacturing market. / “……. an independent Life Cycle Assessment of 6K’s nickel powder offering, reporting a 91% reduction in energy use and 92% reduction in carbon emissions.

https://www.tctmagazine.com/siemens-energy-to-supply-used-nickel-alloy-powder-to-6k-additive-as-long-term-agreement-reached/

“Aircraft recycling takes off as Airbus targets composite recovery” by Kirstin Linnenkoper -- Recycling International -- April 21, 2026

“French player Fairmat is in partnership with Airbus to recover carbon composite panels from end-of-life aircraft.” /”Fairmat relies on its proprietary recycling technology to recover fibres without blending them with virgin material. As a result, the process maintains mechanical performance while significantly lowering the carbon footprint compared to new composites.”

https://recyclinginternational.com/business/business-news/aircraft-recycling-takes-off-as-airbus-targets-composite-recovery/

“Americans Are Buying Loads Of Used EVs, But You Might Want To Hurry” by Evan Williams -- CarBuzz - 23APR26

“Higher demand for used EVs has helped stabilize prices despite massive discounts on new EVs. The average used EV asking price in March was $34,753, down just 0.4% from February. The price premium for a used EV over a used gas vehicle was just $1,012 in March, bringing electric vehicles closer to cost parity than ever.”

https://carbuzz.com/us-used-ev-sales-up/

_______________________________________________________________________________

The mining problem that critical metals recycling could help resolve

“In Memoriam: Remembering 46 Indigenous Defenders Who Were Murdered in 2025 in Latin America” -- by Cultural Survival -- March 10, 2026

“It is no coincidence that mining ranks first among the sectors with the highest numbers of murders, followed by logging and agribusiness, projects that tend to be developed in Indigenous territories …….. Some 54 percent of transitional mineral deposits are known to be located in or near Indigenous territories.” /“Between 2012 and 2024, of a total of 2,253 documented murders of defenders, 799 were Indigenous people, …… In more than 95% of cases, the reason for the attacks …..is the defense of their lands and territories and the right to a healthy environment.”

https://www.culturalsurvival.org/news/memoriam-remembering-46-indigenous-defenders-who-were-murdered-2025-latin-america

“77 Civil Society Organizations Call on the Canadian Embassy in Ecuador to Speak Out on the Criminalization of Environmental Defenders by DPM Metals Inc.” - by Mining Watch Canada - 11MAR26

“The new letter to the Embassy expresses deep concern over criminal charges initiated by DPM Metals (Canada) against six FOA members — Lauro Sigcha, Lizardo Zhaqui, Marco Tapia, Ruth Pugo, Carmita Pérez, and Yaku Pérez — following a peaceful clean-up action to remove mining waste left by the company near the headwaters of the Irquis and Tarqui rivers in the Kimsakocha páramo./”For more than 30 years, Indigenous and campesino communities have defended this ecosystem against large-scale mining projects. In September 2025, the FOA and allied environmental organizations led a historic march in defence of water, drawing more than 100,000 participants.”

https://miningwatch.ca/news/2026/3/11/77-civil-society-organizations-call-canadian-embassy-ecuador-speak-out

__________________________________________________________________________________

Climate Solutions

“ ‘Historic breakthrough’: Colombia climate talks end with hopes raised for fossil fuel phaseout”by Fiona Harvey and Jonathan Watts in Santa Marta - The Guardian - 30APR26

“Nearly 60 countries back voluntary roadmaps to wean world off coal, oil and gas, at conference prompted by frustration with UN climate summits” / This “coalition of the willing” represents more than half of global GDP, nearly a third of energy demand and a fifth of fossil fuel supply.Almost half of the countries are fossil fuel producers,”

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/30/colombia-climate-talks-end-fossil-fuel-phaseout?

“Solar power soared last year — and it’s not slowing down” By Kathryn Krawczyk -- Canary Media -- 24 April 2026

“More and more countries are hitting new solar generation records, and those that are still relying on fossil fuels have good reason to catch up.”/ “At least 50 countries relied on solar for at least a tenth of their power last year, up from just 15 countries doing the same in 2020.”

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/solar/solar-power-record-2025?

“Supply chain constraints, not demand, will define the solar decade”By Veenkata Ravi Kumar Jonnalagadda -- PV Magazine --April 28, 2026

“As global solar installations approach 600 GW, the industry is shifting from a technology-driven market to one defined by the industrial capacity and supply chain resilience required to meet record demand.” Solar PV, according to the International Energy Agency’s Renewables 2024 report, accounts for the majority of new power capacity growth and about 80% of renewable capacity increases.”

https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2026/04/28/supply-chain-constraints-not-demand-will-define-the-solar-decade/

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What can we do ? -- Recycle our e-waste & metals (of course) / use & support our local & regional initiatives and recycling centers (government & industry) / support organizations advocating for rapid expansion of sustainable e-waste & metal recycling as one climate solution.

A Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report is published twice a month

Please click to subscribe:

$55 a year

John’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber

a Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report #12

April 22, 2026 - Earth Day

In this edition:

16 links including:

Global copper recycling times 2/ e-waste key to mineral supply/ Ghana - world’s e-waste junkyard solutions/ Toyota circular factory / mining exec liability / Black Hills gold /Brazil restoration industry / Amazon hope-- etc.

John M Kearney

Apr 22, 2026 - Earth Day

____________________________________________________________________________

Advocating for a rapid expansion of e-waste and critical metals recycling and reuse projects around the world.

We need metals for solar, wind, energy storage, EVs, batteries, heat-pumps and geothermal

- but we can’t mine our way out of the climate crisis.

_________________________________________________________________________________

The UN’s ‘Global E-waste Monitor 2024’ says, “… there is 100 times more gold in a tonne of mobile phones than in a tonne of gold Ore.”

____________________________________________________________________________

Economic and environmental cooperation is building between governments; responsible producers; private and public recycling and reuse industries; renewable energy industries; impacted communities; and a support network of environment and energy coalitions and associations. Indigenous communities, in particular, are on the front lines of the climate crisis.

This report is shared with over 1,000 people who work with or support critical metal recycling and reuse.

________________________________________________________________________

Featured links:

* “Recycled copper market set to double as energy transition drives demand” - Global

* “The Cutting Edge of Sustainability--The solar industry is ahead of the curve on recycling” - USA solar

* “Old electronics seen as key to US minerals supply chain”

* “Top 53 Electronics (e-Waste) Recycling startups” - Global (March 2026)

* “The Worlds Junkyard For Electronic Waste – Ghana” - (23 min Video)

* “E-Waste Recycling in Ghana: Challenges, Innovations, and Sustainable Solutions”

* “Do more to stop illegal e-waste exports, US told”

* “Toyota opens ‘circular factory’ in Poland’

* “Quebec accelerates mineral processing and recycling to global scale” - Canada

* “Women in Circularity: Lisa Puckett” - California

* “Recycle Metals Now!” - Ireland

* “BC Court upholds personal liability for mining execs in environmental violations” - Canada

* “Attention: Dakota Gold is Busy in the Northern Black Hills - New Map of Their Ten Projects” — South Dakota, USA

* “The Amazon rainforest and five reasons for hope”

* “Brazil’s restoration industry could power the global bioeconomy”

* “EU greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent below 1990”

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The E-Waste economic & environmental opportunity

“Recycled copper market set to double as energy transition drives demand” by Kirstin Linnenkoper -Recycling International -- April 9, 2026

“. global copper recycling market is entering a ‘strong’ growth phase as industries shift towards more sustainable resource use …” /“… automotive sector is seeking stable and sustainable copper supplies.” / “ … stricter environmental regulations regarding e-mobility, mining and recycled content are pushing manufacturers to rethink sourcing strategies.”

https://recyclinginternational.com/markets/non-ferrous-metals-recycling-markets/recycled-copper-market-set-to-double-as-energy-transition-drives-demand/63770/

“The Cutting Edge of Sustainability -- The solar industry is ahead of the curve on recycling” -- SEIA (Solar Energy Industries Assoc) USA) - April 2026

“Recycling capacity in our National PV Circularity Program exceeds the volume of decommissioned modules entering the waste stream. With a robust network of recycling equipment suppliers and manufacturers, we expect that recyclers will continue to increase capacity ahead of demand growth for recycling services”.

https://www.solarrecycle.org/recycling-providers-equipment-manufacturers/

“Old electronics seen as key to US minerals supply chain” by Scott Snowden in E-Scrap (Resource Recycling)-- March 18, 2026

“Speakers at the ReMADE Institute’s annual conference in Washington said the materials are there, but collecting them and keeping them in US supply chains remains a stubborn challenge. The March 11-12 event at the National Academy of Sciences included a panel focused on recovering and recycling critical minerals from end-of-life products such as electronics.”

https://resource-recycling.com/e-scrap/2026/03/18/old-electronics-seen-as-key-to-us-minerals-supply-chain/

“Top 53 Electronics (e-Waste) Recycling startups” By Marjana Bačić -- Recycling Startups --18MAR26

“These startups develop new electronics recycling technologies such as automated disassembly, re-manufacturing, reuse marketplaces, cryogenic freezing for material separation, AI-driven sorting systems, blockchain tracking for e-waste.”

https://www.recyclingstartups.pro/top/electronics-waste/

“The Worlds Junkyard For Electronic Waste – Ghana” - (23 min Video) Free Tech Recycling - 2026

“ …. millions of tonnes of electronic waste are sent here every year and simple dumped on the ground. Our free computer recycling service aims to stop this waste being sent to Africa and have it processed locally here in Australia.”

https://freetechrecycling.com.au/the-worlds-junkyard-for-electronic-waste-ghana

“E-Waste Recycling in Ghana: Challenges, Innovations, and Sustainable Solutions”--Free Tech Recycling -- 2026

“Ghana stands at a crossroads in its journey towards sustainable e-waste management. While the challenges are formidable, the opportunities for innovation and collaboration are vast.By addressing regulatory gaps, investing in infrastructure, promoting technology-driven solutions, and fostering community engagement, Ghana can overcome its e-waste challenges and pave the way for a greener, more sustainable future.”

https://freetechrecycling.com.au/e-waste-recycling-in-ghana-challenges-innovations-and-sustainable-solutions

“Do more to stop illegal e-waste exports, US told” by Robin Latchem - Recycling International -08APR26

“An international NGO campaigning against illegal exports of e-scrap has accused authorities in the United States of a ‘callous disregard’ and called on them to do more to tackle the global challenge.”/ “In contrast, the Basle Action Network (BAN) has praised three governments in Southeast Asia …… for taking strong actions against illegal imports of hazardous electronic waste, primarily from waste brokers in the United States,’ ”

https://recyclinginternational.com/business/business-news/do-more-to-stop-illegal-e-waste-ex

______________________________________________

The Copper & critical metals recycling opportunity

“Toyota opens ‘circular factory’ in Poland” by Kirstin Linnenkoper -- Recycling International -03MAR26

“The move strengths Toyota’s strategy to reduce, reuse and recycle materials across its European operations.” / “The Polish site will recover reusable components while extracting valuable secondary raw materials. Batteries and wheels will undergo assessment for remanufacturing, repurposing or recycling.” /At the same time, the plant will reclaim copper, steel, aluminium and plastics for integration into new vehicle production.”

https://recyclinginternational.com/commodities/ferrous-metal-recycling/toyota-opens-circular-factory-in-poland/63285/

“Quebec accelerates mineral processing and recycling to global scale -- By focusing on the circular economy, the province is poised to reduce its carbon footprint and reclaim mine waste” By Stephanie Bontorin -- Recycling Product News --January 28, 2026

“In a global economy struggling to fulfill supply chains, the Gouvernement du Quebec is taking a giant step to address the shortcomings. It launched the 2025-2031 Quebec Strategy for the Development of Critical and Strategic Minerals and its action plan, clearly stating its intention to advance critical and strategic mineral mining and recycling in the province.”

https://www.recyclingproductnews.com/article/44183/quebec-accelerates-mineral-processing-and-recycling-to-global-scale

“Women in Circularity: Lisa Puckett” By MaryEllen Etienne -- Resource Recycling -- March 30, 2026

“Lisa is the founder and CEO of BayArea Compliance, a firm specializing in regulated waste management, environmental compliance and sustainable materials solutions that help organizations reduce risk while advancing circular outcomes. “/ “I am particularly proud of the NETZERO360 Vape Recycling Program. Disposable nicotine and THC devices have become one of the fastest-growing fire and compliance risks in modern waste systems”

https://resource-recycling.com/recycling/2026/03/30/women-in-circularity-lisa-puckett/

“Recycle Metals Now!” - Ireland (EU) -- by JMCE -- Recycle IT - April 13, 2026

“The metal recycling industry in the European Union offers 310,000 green, local, and non-outsourceable jobs across all Member States./ Roughly 40% of the world’s copper demand is met using recycled material /Recycling steel reduces related CO2 emissions by 58% compared to primary production./ A single computer contains around 1.5 kg of copper,…/ The automotive industry is the largest consumer of recycled scrap metal.91% of metals from end-of-life vehicles were recycled.”

https://socialrecycleit.com/2026/04/13/recycle-metals-now/

__________________________________________________________________________________

The mining problem that critical metals recycling could help resolve

“BC Court upholds personal liability for mining execs in environmental violations” By Joseph Quesnel -- Canadian Mining Journal (via Mining Watch Canada)-- April 15, 2026

“Legal experts predict regulatory investigators and Crown prosecutors will pursue individual charges more aggressively following this precedent. Mining executives across the province now face heightened personal exposure when their companies violate environmental regulations.”

https://www.canadianminingjournal.com/news/bc-court-upholds-personal-liability-for-mining-execs-in-environmental-violations/

“Attention: Dakota Gold is Busy in the Northern Black Hills - New Map of Their Ten Projects” — Black Hills Clean Water Alliance -- South Dakota, USA

“We need to prevent new mining in the Black Hills and protect the clean water that we have left! The Black Hills are under attack by mining companies right now. We know that organized and determined public opposition can beat powerful mining interests – in fact, opposition to mining has been successful both historically and recently here. We will not allow the Black Hills to become a sacrifice area for industrial mining companies’ profits!”

https://bhcleanwateralliance.org/2026/04/13/attention-dakota-golds-busy-in-the-northern-black-hills-new-map-of-their-ten-projects/

__________________________________________________________________________________

Climate Solutions

“The Amazon rainforest and five reasons for hope” by Andre Cabette Fabio -- Context -- 13JAN26

“Slowing deforestation in Brazil and pledges to ban oil drilling in Colombia offer slivers of hope for the Amazon.”/“At COP30, Lula signed decrees recognising four Indigenous territories totalling 2.45 million hectares (6 million acres) which legally protects them from farming, mining & logging projects.”

https://www.context.news/nature/the-amazon-rainforest-and-five-reasons-for-hope

“Brazil’s restoration industry could power the global bioeconomy” -- Tim Christophersen -- World Economic Forum -- Jan 20, 2026

“In Brazil’s Pará state, large-scale ecosystem restoration is becoming the foundation of a regenerative economic model that replaces traditional extractive practices.”/ “… Brazil is optimizing its natural capital by fostering collaboration between the private sector, academia and NGOs to restore ecosystems at scale and develop nature-based value chains.”/ ”As global interest in regenerative models grows, Brazil highlights the importance of integrating local livelihoods and Indigenous leadership, sending long-term market signals with clear industrial policies.”

https://www.weforum.org/stories/2026/01/brazil-ecosystem-restoration-bioeconomy/

“EU greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent below 1990” (European Union)-- Recycling Magazine -- 17APR26

“Over the past 34 years, the reduction in EU greenhouse gas emissions has been driven by the expansion of renewable energy, the shift to less carbon-intensive fuels, improvements in energy efficiency and structural economic changes. Most Member States contributed to the overall decline”./ ”Between 2023 and 2024, emissions declined by a further 3% ….”

https://www.recycling-magazine.com/2026/04/17/eu-greenhouse-gas-emissions/

____________________________________________________________________________________________

What can we do ? -- Recycle our e-waste & metals (of course) / use & support our local & regional initiatives and recycling centers (government & industry) / support organizations advocating for rapid expansion of sustainable e-waste & metal recycling as one climate solution.

A Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report is published twice a month

Please click to subscribe:

$55 a year

Apr 1, 2026

John M Kearney

John’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Apr 1, 2026

a Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report #11

April 1, 2026

In this edition:

15 links including:

Recycled copper’s strong 2026 start/ e-cycling in Sydney & NYC /recycled EV batteries power data microgrid /vape recycling laws / Africa critical minerals / Mining vs. Tourism & water/ Iran War & renewables/ Solar & Wind 2025 World record - etc.

____________________________________________________________________________

Advocating for a rapid expansion of e-waste and critical metals recycling and reuse projects around the world.

We need metals for solar, wind, energy storage, EVs, batteries, heat-pumps and geothermal

- but we can’t mine our way out of the climate crisis.

_________________________________________________________________________________

The UN’s ‘Global E-waste Monitor 2024’ says, “… there is 100 times more gold in a tonne of mobile phones than in a tonne of gold Ore.”

____________________________________________________________________________

Economic and environmental cooperation is building between governments; responsible producers; private and public recycling and reuse industries; renewable energy industries; impacted communities; and a support network of environment and energy coalitions and associations. Indigenous communities, in particular, are on the front lines of the climate crisis.

This report is shared with over 1,000 people who work with or support critical metal recycling and reuse.

________________________________________________________________________

Featured links:

* “Recycled copper output starts out strong in 2026”

* “Free eWaste Removal For Business In Sydney” (Australia)

* “China targets end-of-life PV panels”

* “What is ecycleNYC” {New York City}

* “Vape waste legislation and pilots increase due to facility fire issues” - (USA)

* “Rock Springs Landfill Becomes First In Nation To Divert E-Waste Through Pyrolysis” -- (Wyoming, USA)

* “Second-life EV batteries approved for data center microgrid expansion”- USA

* “Africa needs more than export bans to cash in on critical minerals, experts say”

* “Processing 400,000 tonnes of steel scrap in the Mojave Desert” (California)

* “Call2Recycle rebrands as The Battery Network to reflect EPR, fire safety considerations” (USA)

* “Nation’s First Critical Minerals Mine Nears Approval in Biodiversity Hotspot” (Patagonia, AZ - USA)

* “Saskatchewan Environmental Society opposes new $2.6-billion uranium deal with India amid ongoing refusal to sign the Nuclear NonProliferation Treaty” (Canada)

* “Critical minerals collide with tourism in B.C. resort town” (Canada)

* “ ‘Asia’s Ukraine moment’: How the Iran war could accelerate a shift into renewables”

* “The world built more solar and wind than ever in 2025”

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The E-Waste economic & environmental opportunity

“Recycled copper output starts out strong in 2026” By Brian Taylor -- Recycling Today --31Mar26

“Global production of recycled-content copper rose by 11.5 percent this January compared with one year earlier.”

https://www.recyclingtoday.com/news/copper-recycling-january-2026-growing-output-inventories-pricing/

“Free eWaste Removal For Business In Sydney” - Australia -- Free Tech Recycling -- March 2026

“We offer 100% electronic waste removal with free pick up, including secure data removal using military grade encryption technology. Each item is tested and hand sorted to ensure nothing is wasted and everything is reused or fixed, helping cut down on ewaste and providing low cost technology to those in need.”

https://freetechrecycling.com.au/free-ewaste-removal-for-business-in-sydney

“China targets end-of-life PV panels” by Robin Latchem – Recycling International --March 12, 2026

China has issued guidelines to promote the comprehensive recycling and reuse of end-of-life photovoltaic (PV) modules in response to the growing wave of end-of-life panels” / “… the China Photovoltaic Industry Association expects the volume of retired solar panels to reach 18 gigawatts (about 1.4 million tonnes) by 2030./

https://recyclinginternational.com/commodities/electronics-recycling/china-targets-end-of-life-pv-panels/63573/

“What is ecycleNYC” -- New York City Department of Sanitation -- 2026

“ecycleNYC is a convenient and free electronic waste collection and recycling service for residential buildings with 10 or more units. In partnership with Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), this service follows the strictest industry and environmental standards. We provide your building with a secure electronics collection bin or can arrange to pick up items from an internal storage location.”

“E-waste is the largest and fastest growing household hazardous waste in NYC. Many New Yorkers don’t have access to a vehicle, which makes it difficult to take old computers and TVs to recycling. ecycleNYC is easy and it helps keep e-waste out of landfill.”

https://www.nyc.gov/site/dsny/what-we-do/programs/ecyclenyc.page

“Vape waste legislation and pilots increase due to facility fire issues” New bills in California and New Jersey, and programs in New York and Missouri, aim to reduce recycling and waste facility fires caused by the ‘vape effect’” by Megan Quinn--WasteDive--03FEB26

https://www.wastedive.com/news/vape-legislation-fire-prevention-policy-mrf-safety/811225/

“Rock Springs Landfill Becomes First In Nation To Divert E-Waste Through Pyrolysis” -- Wyoming, USA -- Sweetwater Now --25FEB26

“Dan Chetterbock, general manager of the Sweetwater County Solid Waste Disposal District No. 1, said the milestone represents a significant step forward in sustainable waste management and data security.”/ ‘Pyrolysis thermally breaks down electronic waste at the molecular level in a controlled environment, leaving behind rare earth metals and a small amount of carbon. Gases produced during the process are captured, reducing environmental impact,’ Chetterbock said. ‘The process also ensures complete data destruction.’ ”

https://www.sweetwaternow.com/rock-springs-landfill-becomes-first-in-nation-to-divert-e-waste-through-pyrolysis/

______________________________________________

The Copper & critical metals recycling opportunity

“Second-life EV batteries approved for data center microgrid expansion” /“Crusoe and Redwood Energy are scaling a microgrid in Sparks, Nevada, by using repurposed electric vehicle batteries and solar to supply additional modular data centers.” by Tristan Rayner --pv magazine -March 25, 2026

https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2026/03/25/second-life-ev-batteries-approved-for-data-center-microgrid-expansion/

“Africa needs more than export bans to cash in on critical minerals, experts say”

“Restricting raw materials exports is well-intentioned but without other policies to foster domestic processing, they can backfire” -- by Vivian Chime -- Climate Home news - 11MAR26

“African countries should ……. present a united front. By highlighting the continent’s vast resources – copper in Zambia, cobalt in the DRC, lithium in Zimbabwe and Nigeria, bauxite in Guinea and iron in Mali – they could push for industries to be built locally and add value to these materials.” -- Obert Bore, Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation

https://www.climatechangenews.com/2026/03/11/africa-needs-more-than-export-bans-to-cash-in-on-critical-minerals-experts-say/

“Processing 400 000 tonnes of steel scrap in the Mojave Desert” (California) by Martijn Reintjes -- Recycling International -- March 19, 2026

“By combining local solar generation with wind power and energy storage, the mill aligns with green state California’s broader climate goals …” / “The facility is ..providing 450 jobs …expected to grow to up to 1 200 jobs ..” / “PSG hopes the mill will reduce reliance on steel imports by processing scrap metal sourced locally. Currently, California ships much of its scrap from LA to Asia, and imports finished steel products.”

https://recyclinginternational.com/latest-articles/editors-top-picks/processing-400-000-tonnes-of-steel-scrap-in-the-mojave-desert/63627/

“Call2Recycle rebrands as The Battery Network to reflect EPR, fire safety considerations” by Megan Quinn -- WasteDive -- Jan. 13, 2026

The nonprofit stewardship group, …is best known for its work coordinating drop-off sites for consumer batteries… “ / “It also handles numerous aspects of battery logistics and transportation, coordinates with battery producers on extended producer responsibility compliance and works with recyclers on projects meant to more efficiently recover critical materials from batteries.” / “… new state battery EPR programs will drive collection and infrastructure work for years to come…”

https://www.wastedive.com/news/call2recycle-rebrands-the-battery-network-epr-facility-fires/809473/

__________________________________________________________________________________

The mining problem that critical metals recycling could help resolve

“Nation’s First Critical Minerals Mine Nears Approval in Biodiversity Hotspot”

“The U.S. Forest Service said it plans to approve South32’s Hermosa project in Patagonia, Arizona, despite the water problems the mine is already causing” By Wyatt Myskow - Inside Climate News --March 15, 2026

“ ‘.….. the agency is greenlighting a 70-year industrial mining complex in what is arguably one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in North America,’ said Russ McSpadden, the Southwest conservation advocate for the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity.”

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/15032026/arizona-south32-hermosa-critical-minerals-mine/

“Saskatchewan Environmental Society opposes new $2.6-billion uranium deal with India amid ongoing refusal to sign the Nuclear NonProliferation Treaty” -- SES Press Release -- via Mining Watch Canada - 02MAR26

“While Saskatchewan uranium fuels India’s civilian nuclear reactors, this Agreement and the newly announced trade deal effectively frees India to use its limited domestic uranium stockpiles for atomic weapons production.”

https://environmentalsociety.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/SES-PRESS-RELEASE-Uranium-Sales-to-India.pdf

“Critical minerals collide with tourism in B.C. resort town” (Canada)

“As one B.C. resort town battles a proposed magnesium mine, it fears the project will derail its thriving tourism economy and pose serious health risks” - by Stefan Labbé -- Business in Vancouver -- Mar 9, 2026

https://www.biv.com/news/environment/critical-minerals-collide-with-tourism-in-bc-resort-town-11978725

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Climate Solutions

“ ‘Asia’s Ukraine moment’: How the Iran war could accelerate a shift into renewables” -- by Sam Meredith -- CNBC News -- March 25, 2026

“The fallout from the Iran war is likely to expedite the shift away from fossil fuels and make countries think differently about the role renewables can play in shoring up energy security,..”/ “ ‘Clean energy .. dominated new power installations last year, …..accounting for 85% of all new global power capacity’, IEA Director Fatih Birol said,”/ “Fossil fuels, …. continue to dominate the global energy mix, meeting around 80% of worldwide demand in 2023 ..”

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/25/iran-war-renewables-solar-wind-oil-gas-energy-strait-of-hormuz.html?

“The world built more solar and wind than ever in 2025” -- by Ysabelle Kempe -- Canary Media --27MAR26

”Growth is the name of the game for renewables as countries scramble for much-needed electricity and the tech gets cheaper.”

” Wind and solar generate an increasing share of the world’s power, hitting 15% in 2024, the most recent year Ember has data on. / “Meanwhile, the argument for renewables is only getting stronger as the war in the Middle East spikes oil and gas prices worldwide, leaving countries that rely on imported fuels to pay through the nose.”

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/clean-energy/wind-solar-built-world-record?

__________________________________________________________________________________________

What can we do ? -- Recycle our e-waste & metals (of course) / use & support our local & regional initiatives and recycling centers (government & industry) / support organizations advocating for rapid expansion of sustainable e-waste & metal recycling as one climate solution.

A Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report is published twice a month

Please click to subscribe:

$55 a year

John M Kearney

Mar 18, 2026

a Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report #10

March 18, 2026

In this edition:

14 links including:

Ireland E-cycling success / Oregon battery EPR/ Iron Range E-waste project (MN)/ Iran War metal recycling crisis /Africa Critical Metal boom or curse ?/ Resistance to Fast tracked mining / Antofagasta, Chile copper health crisis/ U.S. clean power-90% of new grid capacity -- etc.

____________________________________________________________________________

Advocating for a rapid expansion of e-waste and critical metals recycling and reuse projects around the world.

We need metals for solar, wind, energy storage, EVs, batteries, heat-pumps and geothermal

- but we can’t mine our way out of the climate crisis.

_________________________________________________________________________________

The UN’s ‘Global E-waste Monitor 2024’ says, “… there is 100 times more gold in a tonne of mobile phones than in a tonne of gold Ore.”

____________________________________________________________________________

Economic and environmental cooperation is building between governments; responsible producers; private and public recycling and reuse industries; renewable energy industries; impacted communities; and a support network of environment and energy coalitions and associations. Indigenous communities, in particular, are on the front lines of the climate crisis.

This report is shared with over 1,000 people who work with or support critical metal recycling and reuse.

________________________________________________________________________

Featured links:

* “250 Million Electrical Items Recycled as WEEE Ireland Celebrates 20 Years of Impact”

* “From Scrap to Valuable Resources” (VIDEO of turnkey e-waste recycling plant)

* “Oregon legislature passes battery EPR bill” -- (Extended Producer Responsibility for recycling)

* “Repowering: A smarter path for aging renewable infrastructure”

* “Iron Range project targets supply of critical metals - Project links environmental responsibility and Iron Range employment” (Minnesota)

* “War in the Middle East: ‘This is hugely affecting the market’ “ (scrap & recycling)

* “China urges global stability of energy and mineral supply chains amid Middle East tensions”

* “Recyclers target ‘hibernating devices’ to feed urgent critical minerals demand”

* “Energy Department Announces $500 Million to Strengthen Domestic Critical Materials Processing and Manufacturing” (USA)

* “Africa’s critical minerals: Economic boom or resource curse?”

* “ ‘Test case’ for NEPA: Fast-tracked mine reviews fuel outcry” - USA (National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA)

* Antofagasta, Chile: “ ‘The State doesn’t want to know’: Doctors raise alarm on children’s health crisis in Chile’s copper heartland”

* “Widening Middle East War Means Chaos for Oil and Gas, Spotlights Stability of Renewables and Efficiency “

* “U.S. clean power adds record 50 GW in 2025, capturing 90% of new grid capacity”

____________________________________________________________________________

The E-Waste economic & environmental opportunity

“250 Million Electrical Items Recycled as WEEE Ireland Celebrates 20 Years of Impact” --Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Ireland - 15APR25

“While WEEE Ireland’s takeback rates match the European average, our ability to meet this target is moving further out of reach every year—not because we’re failing, but because the targets ignore the real impact of circular economy efforts,” said WEEE Ireland CEO, Leo Donovan./“The EU’s current linear weight-based targets do not consider the extended lifespans of modern electronics or the growing emphasis on repair and reuse, meaning Ireland’s true environmental progress goes unrecognised.“

https://www.weeeireland.ie/2025/04/15/250-million-electrical-items-recycled-as-weee-ireland-celebrates-20-years-of-impact/

“From Scrap to Valuable Resources” (VIDEO of turnkey e-waste recycling facility) - weeeSwiss Tech website - 2026

“weeeSwiss and STADLER … globally minded companies with a clear social mission: to promote the expansion of modern recycling solutions in less developed regions, actively combating pollution and resource waste… we design and implement tailor-made WEEE plants precisely adapted to ….. conditions of each region. Recovering valuable metals from e-waste costs less than one-tenth of traditional mining – without its massive environmental impacts.”

https://weeeswiss.com/

“Oregon legislature passes battery EPR bill -- The bill, if signed by the governor, would establish a producer responsibility program by 2029. Many of the state’s major haulers and recyclers backed it due to fire concerns” By Marissa Heffernan -- Waste Dive -- March 9, 2026

“.. the PRO (Producer Responsibility Organization) would have to cover the costs of collecting, storing, managing and transporting covered batteries for collection sites, including creating agreements with “all willing transfer stations, landfills, household hazardous waste facilities and material recovery facilities” that want to be collection sites.”

https://www.wastedive.com/news/oregon-battery-recycling-epr-bill-fire/814150/

“Repowering: A smarter path for aging renewable infrastructure” by Clyde Melton -- pv magazine --March 10, 2026

“Many GW of aging U.S. solar installations will require electrical upgrades in the coming years, and smart owners will turn to repowering and cable rejuvenation as cost-effective ways to extend the lifespan of aging infrastructure at a fraction of the cost of new builds or full site reconstruction, with the added benefit of preserving existing interconnection rights.”/ “Over the next five years, more than 23 GW of solar capacity will require electrical upgrades …”

https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2026/03/10/repowering-a-smarter-path-for-aging-renewable-infrastructure/

“Iron Range project targets supply of critical metals - Project links environmental responsibility and Iron Range employment” (Minnesota) by David Colburn - Timberjay - 26FEB26

”Reclaiming Critical Metals, or RCM..” / The company is developing plans for a modern metals recovery facility that would reclaim critical and industrial metals from shredded electronic waste using advanced mechanical separation technology already operating in multiple facilities overseas.”

https://www.timberjay.com/stories/iron-range-project-targets-supply-of-critical-metals,24055

____________________________________________________________________________

The Copper & critical metals recycling opportunity

War in the Middle East: ‘This is hugely affecting the market’ (recycling & scrap) By Martijn Reintjes –Recycling International -- March 3, 2026

“Explosions, closed sea ports, suspended scrap shipments, and the shutdown of the Straits of Hormuz have been causing widespread fear and growing uncertainty among recyclers and scrap traders across the Gulf region and beyond ….Here’s what some of them are telling Recycling International.”

https://recyclinginternational.com/business/business-news/war-in-the-middle-east-this-is-hugely-affecting-the-market/63289/?

“China urges global stability of energy and mineral supply chains amid Middle East tensions” By Minlu Zhang at the United Nations | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2026-03-06

“China’s envoy to the United Nations on Thursday called on the international community to ensure the stability of global energy and critical mineral supply chains amid rising tensions in the Middle East, which have disrupted maritime transport and raised concerns about global economic stability”/

“No country should politicize or securitize energy and critical mineral issues, pursue Cold War thinking, or form exclusive blocs with geopolitical overtones,” said the ambassador.

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202603/06/WS69aa6ce7a310d6866eb3c1ef.html

“Recyclers target ‘hibernating devices’ to feed urgent critical minerals demand” By Megan Quinn - Waste Dive - March 13, 2026

“At Remade’s annual conference, recyclers and refiners said they’re working as fast as they can to meet demand for domestic supplies of critical materials amid geopolitical pressures.”/Collection challenges remain a frustration for recyclers and manufacturers who know disused electronics are everywhere but can’t source enough of it.”

https://www.wastedive.com/news/recyclers-feedstock-urgent-critical-minerals-demand-eri-remade/814555/

“Energy Department Announces $500 Million to Strengthen Domestic Critical Materials Processing and Manufacturing”-- Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation-USA) March 13, 2026

“Funding awarded …. will support demonstration and/or commercial facilities for processing, recycling, or utilizing for manufacturing of critical materials which may include traditional battery minerals such as lithium, graphite, nickel, copper, aluminum …..”

https://www.energy.gov/cmei/articles/energy-department-announces-500-million-strengthen-domestic-critical-materials?

“Africa’s critical minerals: Economic boom or resource curse?” by Nita Bhalla - Context News (Thomson-Reuters Foundation -- May 20, 2025

Africa’s vast reserves of critical minerals, which include lithium, cobalt, copper and manganese, are increasingly vital for the global shift to clean energy and new technologies. ..as the world races to secure these resources, Africa stands at a crossroads: will the mineral boom drive sustainable development and prosperity, or ….. deepen environmental and human rights concerns?” / “ .. violations in the critical mineral mining sector in Africa - from water pollution to unsafe working conditions - increased by 73% from 2023 to 2024,…..”

https://www.context.news/just-transition/africas-critical-minerals-economic-boom-or-resource-curse

__________________________________________________________________________

The mining problem that critical metals recycling could help resolve

“ ‘Test case’ for NEPA: Fast-tracked mine reviews fuel outcry” by Hannah Northey -- E&E News --10/21/2025 (National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA / USA)

BLM is narrowing reviews for proposed mining projects in states like Nevada and Utah. Critics say the agency is on shaky legal ground.”“/ ”... riling environmental and tribal groups and raising questions about possible legal trouble ahead.” / In Nevada, for example, the Bureau of Land Management is reviewing Vancouver, B.C -based Orla Mining’s South Railroad mine project ….an open-pit mine .. more than half of which is public land. .. planning on issuing a final EIS …by spring of 2026. The plan calls for building four open pits, three waste rock facilities, a heap leach facility, a limestone quarry, a dewatering system …”

https://www.eenews.net/articles/test-case-for-nepa-fast-tracked-mine-reviews-fuel-outcry/

“‘The state doesn’t want to know’: Doctors raise alarm on children’s health crisis in Chile’s copper heartland” (Antofagasta, Chile) by Ignacio Conese -- Climate Home News - 07SEP25

“Autism and cancer cases are soaring in Chile linked to pollution from copper mining critical for the energy transition, doctors say.”

“... the South American country has been responsible for close to a quarter of the world’s copper production.”/ “… people in Calama and the city of Antofagasta, the regional capital, are exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution, mainly due to dust from nearby copper mines and the transport of copper concentrate, which contains high levels of heavy metals.”

https://www.climatechangenews.com/2024/12/17/doctors-raise-alarm-on-childrens-health-crisis-in-chile-copper-mining-heartland/

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Climate Solutions

“Widening Middle East War Means Chaos for Oil and Gas, Spotlights Stability of Renewables and Efficiency”By Mitchell Beer -- The Energy Mix --March 3, 2026

“The European Union has already been down that road, added Frauke Thies, Europe director at Germany’s Agora Energiewende think tank. Between 2019 and 2024, motivated in part by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU installed enough new wind and solar capacity to replace 92 billion cubic metres of gas and 55 million tonnes of hard coal in 2024 .……”

https://www.theenergymix.com/widening-middle-east-war-means-chaos-for-oil-and-gas-spotlights-stability-of-renewables-and-efficiency/

“U.S. clean power adds record 50 GW in 2025, capturing 90% of new grid capacity” By Ryan Kennedy -- pv magazine -- March 9, 2026

“The American Clean Power Association reports a record-breaking year for utility-scale solar and storage, though a 27% drop in power purchase agreements flashes a warning light for the 2028-2030 outlook.”

https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2026/03/09/u-s-clean-power-adds-record-50-gw-in-2025-capturing-90-of-new-grid-capacity/

___________________________________________________________________________________________

What can we do ? -- Recycle our e-waste & metals (of course) / use & support our local & regional initiatives and recycling centers (government & industry) / support organizations advocating for rapid expansion of sustainable e-waste & metal recycling as one climate solution.

A Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report is published twice a month

Please click to subscribe:

$55 a year

a Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report #9

February 25, 2026

In this edition:

14 links including:

Major E-cycling success in California & Germany / recycling steel/ Europe’s vanishing cars/ Japan metal crisis /”responsible mining” / Indigenous recycling -- etc.

____________________________________________________________________________

Advocating for a rapid expansion of e-waste and critical metals recycling and reuse projects around the world.

We need metals for solar, wind, energy storage, EVs, batteries, heat-pumps and geothermal

- but we can’t mine our way out of the climate crisis.

_________________________________________________________________________________

The UN’s ‘Global Ewaste Monitor 2024’ says, “… there is 100 times more gold in a tonne of mobile phones than in a tonne of gold Ore.”

____________________________________________________________________________

Economic and environmental cooperation is building between governments; responsible producers; private and public recycling and reuse industries; renewable energy industries; impacted communities; and a support network of environment and energy coalitions and associations. Indigenous communities, in particular, are on the front lines of the climate crisis.

This report is shared with over 1,000 people who work with or support critical metal recycling and reuse.

______________________________________________

Featured links:

* “California’s E-Waste Recycling Program: Successes, Challenges, And Future Outlook”

* “Germany Recycles 747,000 Tons of E-Waste in 2023” (E-waste rate 82.4% with solar modules 90.7%)

* “Junk to high-tech: India bets on e-waste for critical minerals”

* “Giving E-waste and Construction Materials a Second Life”

* “EU Will Pitch Green Steel as Key Pillar of Industrial Revival”

* “Global recycled steel use reaches 630 million tonnes in 2025”

* “Japan Faces Supply Chain Shock as China Restricts Critical Exports”

* “Europe’s vanishing cars are jeopardizing its raw materials security”

* “Canada’s first Indigenous-led battery recycling venture moves forward in Ontario”

* “We can’t build sustainable vehicles with dirty metals and materials”

* “Why the US Copper Challenge Lies in Processing, Not Mining”

* “Nickel mining is causing a disaster in Indonesia. Things can be done differently.”

* “UNEP and IRMA announce collaboration to advance responsible mining practices”

(United Nations Environment Programme / the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance)

* “Big Tech’s AI climate promises dismissed as greenwashing in new report”

____________________________________________________________________________

The E-Waste economic & environmental opportunity

“California’s E-Waste Recycling Program: Successes, Challenges and Future Outlook” Posted by Meghan Hodges - Shun Waste -- Dec 08, 2025

“California’s program outperforms many other states in landfill diversion rates. While the national average e-waste recycling rate hovers around 20%, California consistently achieves over 80% for covered devices. ”/ This achievement is largely due to the state’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) model, which requires manufacturers to fund and manage the recycling of covered electronic devices.”

https://shunwaste.com/article/how-effective-is-californias-e-waste-recycling-program

“Germany Recycles 747,000 Tons of E-Waste in 2023” -- by GizNewsHome -- October 7, 2025

“In 2023, Germany processed 906,100 tons of e-waste, achieving a recycling rate of 82.4%, with 747,000 tons successfully recycled.” / “Recycling rates vary by category, with photovoltaic modules having the highest rate at 90.7%, while mass-produced small appliances have the lowest at 79.3%.”

https://giznewsdaily.com/germany-recycles-747000-tons-of-e-waste-in-2023/

“Junk to high-tech: India bets on e-waste for critical minerals” by Arunabh Saikia & Uzmi Athar -- AFP-JIJI / Japan Times -- 18FEB26

“Global jitters about China's dominance as a critical minerals producer has kicked New Delhi into action … “ / “With demand expected to soar and domestic mining unlikely to deliver meaningful output for at least a decade, the country is turning to an often-overlooked source — the swelling mountains of electronic waste.”

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/environment/2026/02/18/sustainability/india-e-waste/

“Giving E-waste and Construction Materials a Second Life” by David Hamilton -- Securities.io -- December 6, 2025

“Last year, the global construction and demolition waste (C&D) management market saw serious growth. Dealing with construction and demolition waste is big business, with reports showing it as a $204.48 B market. Additionally, this value is set to increase to $217.91 billion by the end of this year.” (2025)

https://www.securities.io/circular-economy-e-waste-construction-innovations/

____________________________________________________________________________

The Copper & critical metals recycling opportunity

“EU Will Pitch Green Steel as Key Pillar of Industrial Revival” By John Ainger --Bloomberg -- Feb 16, 2026

“... steel will be classified according to the emissions generated …during its manufacture, with the exact thresholds to be laid out a later date. Governments will be required to ensure that 25% of steel used under public procurement and subsidy programs is low-carbon. The use of scrap steel and electric arc furnaces, or green hydrogen are seen as key decarbonization technologies …”

https://www.energyconnects.com/news/gas-lng/2026/february/eu-will-pitch-green-steel-as-key-pillar-of-industrial-revival/

“Global recycled steel use reaches 630 million tonnes in 2025” By Stephanie Bontorin -- Recycling Product News -- October 29, 2025

“ … 630 million tonnes of recycled steel are used each year in global steel production, thereby preventing almost 950 million tonnes of CO2 emissions while also saving energy and conserving natural resources. The term "recycled steel" also reinforces the importance of the material for "green" steelmaking.”

https://www.recyclingproductnews.com/article/43829/global-recycled-steel-use-reaches-630-million-tonnes-in-2025

“Japan Faces Supply Chain Shock as China Restricts Critical Exports” -- Glosema Group - 05FEB26

“For a country where more than 90% of rare earth imports come from China, the disruption to supply chains could have lasting effects—especially in sectors like automotive manufacturing and advanced electronics”.

https://glosema.group/news/japan-faces-supply-chain-shock-as-china-restricts-critical-exports/

“Europe’s vanishing cars are jeopardizing its raw materials security -- Used cars are a treasure trove of metals essential in energy technology, but the EU is letting them vanish without a trace.” By Marianne Gros in Brussels -- Politico -- 23FEB26

“But Europe’s age-old habit of exporting unwanted goods is coming back to bite it as the bloc looks to recycle its way out of its reliance on raw materials imported from China.” /The automotive sector is glad to see the EU will “implement an EU-wide registration/deregistration system and regulate the export of ELVs outside the EU, preventing valuable raw materials from leaving the European market,”

https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-cars-raw-materials-security/

“Canada’s first Indigenous-led battery recycling venture moves forward in Ontario” By Solar Builder Staff -- August 14, 2025

“Three Fires Group and Electra Battery Materials advance plans for lithium-ion battery scrap facility tied to closed-loop supply chain” / “Ontario is on track to generate up to 30,000 tonnes of battery scrap annually by 2030, yet currently has no large-scale recycling facilities.”

https://solarbuildermag.com/canada/canadas-first-indigenous-led-battery-recycling-venture-moves-forward-in-ontario/

“We can’t build sustainable vehicles with dirty metals and materials” -- Lead the Charge Website -- February 2026

“By ditching gas and diesel, EVs have significantly lower lifetime emissions than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. What comes out of the tailpipe is clean. But the manufacturing process is not – at least not yet.”

https://leadthecharge.org/the-problem/

__________________________________________________________________________

The mining problem that critical metals recycling could help resolve

“Why the US Copper Challenge Lies in Processing, Not Mining” -- Glosema Group /Financial Times - 18FEB26

“.. the country already produces and imports enough raw copper to meet 146% of its annual demand. This includes output from domestic mines, overseas operations, and recycled scrap. In stark contrast, China covers only 40% of its own copper needs through similar channels.”

https://glosema.group/news/why-the-us-copper-challenge-lies-in-processing-not-mining/

“Nickel mining is causing a disaster in Indonesia. Things can be done differently.” -- Originally published in NRC by Saskia Konniger — Climate Rights International - NOV 2025

“But the mining of nickel, the raw material needed for car batteries, leads to deforestation, serious environmental pollution, and systematic human rights violations in Indonesia, says Krista Shennum, lead researcher of the Climate Rights International report ‘Does Anyone Care’.”

https://cri.org/interview-nickel-mining-is-causing-a-disaster-in-indonesia-things-can-be-done-differently/

“UNEP and IRMA announce collaboration to advance responsible mining practices” by IRMA --11 February 2026 (The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA))

“As digital transformation and decarbonization efforts drive an unprecedented demand for minerals and metals, the extractive sector is under increasing pressure to minimize environmental impacts, such as deforestation, land degradation and pollution, while strengthening transparency, environmental and social performance …”

https://responsiblemining.net/2026/02/11/unep-and-irma-announce-collaboration-to-advance-responsible-mining-practices/

____________________________________________________________________________

Climate Solutions

“Big Tech’s AI climate promises dismissed as greenwashing in new report” -- Reviewed by Nidhi Govil -- The Outpost -- 17 Feb 2026

“A new analysis of 154 statements from tech giants reveals that AI greenwashing is rampant across the industry. Only 26% of climate-related AI claims cite academic research, while 36% provide no evidence at all. The report found zero examples where generative AI tools like ChatGPT or Gemini led to verifiable emissions reductions.”

https://theoutpost.ai/news-story/big-tech-s-ai-climate-promises-dismissed-as-greenwashing-in-new-report-23837/

____________________________________________________________________________________________

What can we do ? -- Recycle our e-waste & metals (of course) / use & support our local & regional initiatives and recycling centers (government & industry) / support organizations advocating for rapid expansion of sustainable e-waste & metal recycling as one climate solution.

A Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report is published twice a month

Please click to subscribe:

$55 a year

a Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report #8

February 11, 2026

In this edition:

14 links including: Global e-cycling market to triple / wind turbine blade recycling / zero landfill solar recycling / construction e-cycling / surge in sodium-ion batteries / Malaysia total e-waste ban / Amazon & global copper rush / Latest MN Boundary Waters threat etc.

____________________________________________________________________________

Advocating for a rapid expansion of e-waste and critical metals recycling and reuse projects around the world.

We need metals for solar, wind, energy storage, EVs, batteries, heat-pumps and geothermal

- but we can’t mine our way out of the climate crisis.

____________________________________________________________________________“The UN’s ‘Global Ewaste Monitor 2024 ”says there is 100 times more gold in a tonne of mobile phones than in a tonne of gold ore.” ____________________________________________________________________________

The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy reports that “….. if the amount of the US copper supply that came from recycling was 50% instead of 33%, that difference would be the copper equivalent of 13 PolyMet mines.” ___________________________________________________________________________

Greetings from Minnesota -- land of natives and immigrants -- home of the brave.

Economic and environmental cooperation is building between governments; responsible producers; private and public recycling and reuse industries; renewable energy industries; impacted communities; and a support network of environment and energy coalitions and associations. Indigenous communities, in particular, are on the front lines of the climate crisis.

This report is shared with over 1,000 people who work with or support critical metal recycling and reuse.

____________________________________________________________________________

Featured links:

* “Electronics recycling market to triple by 2035”

* “Wind turbine blade recycling: the high stakes, real solutions & road to circularity”

* “A Complete Guide to Recycling E-Waste in the Construction Industry”

* “SolarCycle begins solar panel recycling in Georgia”

* “Why Sodium-Ion Batteries Are Happening Now”

* “Auditors warn EU may fall short on critical minerals”

* “Closed Illinois coal mine now home to 186-MW solar system”

* “Largest lithium-ion battery cleanup in U.S. history sparks need for specialized recycling”

* E-Waste Imports Banned: ”Malaysia vows not to be world’s ‘dumping ground ’ ”

* “Global Rush for Copper Hits the Amazon”

* “A Patch of Indigenous Land, Rich in Metals, Pits Prominent Miner and Native Owners Against Conservationists” -

* “Indigenous and campesino communities in Cuenca, Ecuador tell the Canadian embassy: NO Free Trade Agreement between Canada and Ecuador, and NO to Canadian mining”

* “The bill to overturn the 20-year mining ban near the Boundary Waters is heading to the Senate floor.” -- Minnesota - US Senate

* “Evaluating the ‘copper for clean energy’ talking point”

____________________________________________________________________________

The E-Waste economic & environmental opportunity

“Electronics recycling market to triple by 2035” by Kirstin Linnenkoper –Recycling International -- January 28, 2026

“ … forecast to reach roughly EUR 136.1 billion by 2035, up from EUR 39.7 billion in 2025. That represents annual compound growth of 13.1% during the forecast period.” /”Demand for precious metal recovery and increasing volumes of electronic waste are seen as key factors while stricter environmental regulation also plays a major role./ “North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific lead the global growth.”

https://recyclinginternational.com/commodities/electronics-recycling/electronics-recycling-market-to-triple-by-2035/63048/

“Wind turbine blade recycling: the high stakes, real solutions & road to circularity” -- Waste Transport Solutions -- 17APR25

“In Europe, the call is for a “In Europe, the call is for a Europe wide ban on landfilling decommissioned turbine blades by 2025. Some countries like Austria, Germany, Finland and Netherlands already have such bans.”

https://wastetransportsolutions.eu/wind-turbine-blade-recycling-challenges-chances/

“A Complete Guide to Recycling E-Waste in the Construction Industry” by Kelly Sampson |Hummingbird International -- June 3, 2025

“With technology becoming an integral part of every industry, proper e-waste recycling is mandatory. Working alongside an e-waste recycling company must be considered not merely for compliance, but for embracing sustainability, efficiency, long-term cost savings, and most of all a healthy ecosystem.”

https://hummingbirdinternational.net/blog/industry-playbooks/e-waste-recycling-in-construction/

“SolarCycle begins solar panel recycling in Georgia” By Kelly Pickerel | Solar Power World --January 29, 2026

“The new process allows for 100% landfill diversion and recovers 96% of the value from the silver, copper, aluminum, glass and other critical minerals within a solar panel. The site is now processing thousands of solar panels per week and will continue to scale toward one million panels annually by the end of 2026. At full capacity, the facility can process up to 5 GW of solar panels each year.”

https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2026/01/solarcycle-begins-solar-panel-recycling-in-georgia/,

_______________________________________________________________________

The Copper & critical metals recycling opportunity

“Why Sodium-Ion Batteries Are Happening Now” by Christopher Arcus -- Clean Technica - 05FEB26

“CATL is the largest battery producer in the world. …..(their) sodium-ion batteries … production commitment has increased dramatically in 2026”/”…. battery makers .. have switched from NMC to LFP in high volumes to avoid the high materials costs, price volatility, and resource concentration of nickel and cobalt. ..”/ “…, lithium price volatility significantly affects battery prices.” “.. major battery companies are switching to sodium-ion batteries, because sodium is more abundant, more widespread, and comes at a lower cost.”

https://cleantechnica.com/2026/02/05/why-sodium-ion-batteries-are-happening-now/

Auditors warn EU may fall short on critical metals by David Daoud -- Resource Recycling/ E-Scrap -- February 4, 2026

“...the auditors’ conclusion that new mines and refineries cannot be built at the speed the energy transition requires pushes more of the burden onto the ‘urban mine,’ the growing reservoir of metals in existing products and infrastructure. For the ITAD and e-scrap sector, that positions experienced recyclers and ITAD providers, …., as indispensable partners in keeping clean energy and digital infrastructure plans on track.”

https://resource-recycling.com/e-scrap/2026/02/04/auditors-warn-eu-may-fall-short-on-critical-metals/

“Closed Illinois coal mine now home to 186-MW solar system” By Kelly Pickerel | Solar Power World -- February 2, 2026

“Sol Systems has completed the 186-MWDC Tilden Solar Project built on more than 1,000 acres of a subsurface coal mine in Southern Illinois.”“The $345 million project brings new life to land long shaped by America’s energy history, transforming a complex legacy site into modern clean energy infrastructure …”

https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2026/02/closed-illinois-coal-mine-now-home-to-186-mw-solar-system/

“Largest lithium-ion battery cleanup in U.S. history sparks need for specialized recycling” / Approximately 100,000 damaged batteries from a Northern California energy facility fire will be processed --By Stephanie Bontorin --Recycling Product News -- November 12, 2025

https://www.recyclingproductnews.com/article/43885/largest-lithium-ion-battery-cleanup-in-us-history-sparks-need-for-specialized-recycling

E-Waste Imports Banned: ”Malaysia vows not to be world’s dumping ground”-- New Straits Times --8 Feb 2026

“Extraction of metals, too, is wasteful. The UN’s “Global Ewaste Monitor 2024” says there is

100 times more gold in a tonne of mobile phones than in a tonne of gold ore.

Other ores extracted for use in electronic devices suffer the same wasteful fate. Globally, 40 per cent of the extracted metals end up in landfill, or incinerators or are disposed of in hazardous ways.”

https://www.pressreader.com/malaysia/new-straits-times/20260208/281505052659591

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The mining problem that critical metals recycling could help resolve

“Global Rush for Copper Hits the Amazon”--Story by Dylan Baddour, photos by Tom Laffay --Inside Climate News -- November 16, 2025

Wealthy nations’ surging appetite for metals has fueled a flurry of plans to mine in wilderness around the world, including on the edge of the Amazon Basin.”

“The Mocoa project ….. one of hundreds of potential copper mines advancing worldwide as part of a global rush to dig up metals for electric vehicles, wind turbines, solar farms and the data centers powering artificial intelligence. Most of these projects affect lands of Indigenous peoples, research shows”

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/16112025/amazon-rainforest-copper-mining/

“A Patch of Indigenous Land, Rich in Metals, Pits Prominent Miner and Native Owners Against Conservationists”

“An Alaska Native corporation leased mineral rights inside a national park to Contango Ore Inc. The company’s plans are generating opposition from fishermen and conservationists.” By Max Graham, Northern Journal --November 14, 2025

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/14112025/alaska-johnson-tract-indigenous-land-mineral-rights/

“Indigenous and campesino communities in Cuenca, Ecuador tell the Canadian embassy: NO Free Trade Agreement between Canada and Ecuador, and NO to Canadian mining” — Mining Watch Canada — 04FEB26

“ … a high-altitude Andean wetland. Multiple Canadian companies have attempted to advance the very contentious Loma Larga gold mining project …..” / “ ‘.… we want a country that promotes ecotourism, agriculture, organic farming, and nature. We reject poverty. We .. know what happens when large scale mining projects like those in Cajamarca, Peru, and El Mirador, Ecuador, are installed in our territories!” Lauro Sigcha, president of the FOA.’ “

https://miningwatch.ca/blog/2026/2/4/indigenous-and-campesino-communities-cuenca-ecuador-tell-canadian-embassy-no-free

“The bill to overturn the 20-year mining ban near the Boundary Waters is heading to the Senate floor” -- by Save the Boundary Waters -- 10FEB26. -- Minnesota / US Senate

An “…attempt to use the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn the 20-year mining ban protecting the Boundary Waters watershed from toxic copper mining. This bill would not only eliminate current protections but also prevent future administrations from using the same safeguards on the Boundary Waters.”

https://www.savetheboundarywaters.org/action-center

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Climate Solutions

“Evaluating the ‘copper for clean energy’ talking point” - MN Center for Environmental Advocacy -- 2021-

““There are 1.1 trillion pounds of copper above the ground, and copper is infinitely recyclable. The US recycling rate for copper is 33%, as compared to 60% in Europe

….. if the amount of the US copper supply that came from recycling was 50% instead of 33%, that difference would be the copper equivalent of 13 PolyMet mines.”

(According to the US Geological Survey, 17 mines produce 99% of U.S. mined copper annually.)

https://www.mncenter.org/sites/default/files/document-grid/3-3-21%20MCEA%20copper%20recycling%20factsheet.pdf

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“Why is it that an industry that saves billions of tons of carbon emissions, adds billions to global GDP [gross domestic product], employs millions providing green jobs and reduces methane emissions by reducing landfill waste is still not on the COP agenda” -- Ranjit Baxi, Global Recycling Foundation,

_____________________________________________________________

What can we do ? -- Recycle our e-waste & metals (of course) / use & support our local & regional initiatives and recycling centers (government & industry) / support organizations advocating for rapid expansion of sustainable e-waste & metal recycling as one climate solution.

A Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report is published twice a month

Please click to subscribe:

$55 a year

John’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber

a Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report #7

January 28, 2026

In this edition — 15 links including:

EU e-cycling milestone / New US State e-cycling laws / solar & wind recycling /Kenya battery recycling / EU’s African E-waste problem / green steel / mining threats to Canadian waters / Venezuela mining & cartels / extraction impact on Indigenous territories / US Emissions up etc,

____________________________________________________________________________

Advocating for a rapid expansion of e-waste and critical metals recycling and reuse projects around the world.

We need metals for solar, wind, energy storage, EVs, batteries, heat-pumps and geothermal

- but we can’t mine our way out of the climate crisis.

______________________________________________________________________

Greetings from Minneapolis, Minnesota -- home of the brave.

Accelerated e-cycling is critical. Economic and environmental cooperation is building between governments; responsible producers; private and public recycling and reuse industries; renewable energy industries; impacted communities; and a support network of environment and energy coalitions and associations. Indigenous communities, in particular, are on the front lines of the climate crisis.

This report is shared with over 1,000 people who work with or support critical metal recycling and reuse.

____________________________________________________________________________

Featured links:

* “European recyclers reach e-waste milestone”

* “Where new 2026 recycling and waste laws are taking effect” - USA

* “San Francisco becomes first U.S. city to offer public drop-off bins for battery-embedded products”

* “As Solar & Storage Dominate New Grid Additions, Industry Releases First-of-its-Kind Roadmap for Achieving a Circular Economy” - USA

* “Miner backs Kenya’s first lithium-ion battery recycling plant”

* “New EU Carbon Tariffs Push India Toward Green Steel”

* “Repair movement reshapes reuse as laws reshape ITAD” (IT Asset Disposition) - USA

* “Top Onshore Wind Turbine Scrapping And Recycling Companies & How to Compare Them (2025)”

* “When Europe’s Electronics become Africa’s Waste: A Nigerian Take on Producer Responsibility”

* “Trump Wants to Accelerate Extraction in Venezuela. So Do Drug Trafficking Organizations”

* “How the renewed push for critical minerals puts Canadian waters at risk”

* “US Auto Industry’s Links to Pollution and Disease in Steel Communities”

*“Global report reveals the critical impact of extractivism on indigenous tropical forests”

* “US carbon emissions rose in 2025 as coal produced more power”

* “Installing Heat Pumps in Factories Could Save $1.5 Trillion—and 77,000 Lives”

__________________________________________________________________________________

The E-Waste economic & environmental opportunity

“European recyclers reach e-waste milestone” by Emily Atkins -- Waste & Recycling -- 15OCT25

“The European Recycling Platform (ERP), a licensed producer responsibility organization, has collected and treated more than five million tonnes of electronic waste across multiple European countries. E-waste is Europe’s fastest-growing waste stream, with global volumes expected to surge to 82 million tonnes by 2030.”

https://wasterecyclingmag.ca/recycling-processing/european-recyclers-reach-e-waste-milestone

“Where new 2026 recycling and waste laws are taking effect” by Megan Quinn -Waste Dive - 05JAN26

“Colorado, Oregon, Illinois, Nevada, New York, Vermont and Washington have new laws, including electronics and battery EPR and right-to-repair policies.”

https://www.wastedive.com/news/new-laws-2026-battery-epr-waste-recycling-organics-landfill-policy/808714/

“San Francisco becomes first U.S. city to offer public drop-off bins for battery-embedded products” --By Stephanie Bontorin -- Recycling Product News --December 16, 2025

“Automated bins will accept household products with no prep or sorting required from residents”

https://www.recyclingproductnews.com/article/44043/san-francisco-becomes-first-us-city-to-offer-public-drop-off-bins-for-battery-embedded-products

“As Solar & Storage Dominate New Grid Additions, Industry Releases First-of-its-Kind Roadmap for Achieving a Circular Economy” - CleanTechnica - 17JUL25

“ ……includes an action plan for the solar and storage industry — in partnership with stakeholders, as well as federal, state, and local governments — to: Develop national standards for recycling, decommissioning, and reuse of solar and storage equipment “ etc.

https://cleantechnica.com/2025/07/17/as-solar-storage-dominate-new-grid-additions-industry-releases-first-of-its-kind-roadmap-for-achieving-a-circular-economy/

__________________________________________________________________________________

The Copper & critical metals recycling opportunity

“Miner backs Kenya’s first lithium-ion battery recycling plant” by Kirstin Linnenkoper -- Recycling International – August 21, 2025

“UK-based Marula Mining is investing in Kenya’s first lithium-ion battery recycling and critical metals recovery facility. The company is partnering with Nairobi’s WEEE Centre, a leading e-waste firm active in 18 African countries. “ / Kenya’s 56.4 million population generates about 51,300 tonnes of e-scrap each year. Yet only an estimated 17% of this waste is currently recycled,.”

https://recyclinginternational.com/commodities/battery-recycling/miner-backs-kenyas-first-lithium-ion-battery-recycling-plant/61581/

“New EU Carbon Tariffs Push India Toward Green Steel”-- By Alexander C. Kaufman - Canary Media --26 JAN26

“Europe’s pioneering tax on polluting imports presents India’s coal-reliant steelmakers with a choice: Decarbonize or risk losing customers.” / “Since emerging as the world’s No. 2 producer of steel eight years ago, India has ramped up its exports to Europe.”

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/green-steel/new-eu-carbon-tariff-india-green-steel

“Repair movement reshapes reuse as laws reshape ITAD” (IT Asset Disposition) by Scott Snowden -- Resource Recycling / E-scrap -- 17DEC25

IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) is the structured process of retiring, repurposing, reselling, or recycling end-of-life IT equipment in a secure and responsible manner.

“Right-to-repair rules are moving from fringe cause to market force, and electronics recyclers will feel the effects along the entire lifecycle, speakers told attendees at E-Scrap Conference 2025.”

https://resource-recycling.com/e-scrap/2025/12/17/repair-movement-reshapes-reuse-as-laws-reshape-itad-recycling/

“Top Onshore Wind Turbine Scrapping And Recycling Companies & How to Compare Them (2025)” -- VistaIntel Research ---October 11, 2025

“ …..Onshore Wind Turbine Scrapping and Recycling Market, projected to rise from USD 1.5 billion in 2024 to USD 3.2 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 8.5%. The analysis highlights significant trends, growth drivers, and key market segments.”

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/top-onshore-wind-turbine-scrapping-recycling-companies-xndme/

“When Europe’s Electronics become Africa’s Waste: A Nigerian Take on Producer Responsibility” -- by Alliyu Umar Sadiq-A -- New Leaf (European Environmental Bureau) - 26AUG25

“The European Union is recognised for its strong environmental policies, yet much of its waste is dumped abroad. Aliyu Umar Sadiq explores what happens when used electronics are exported from the EU to Nigeria.”

https://meta.eeb.org/2025/08/26/when-europes-electronics-become-africas-waste-a-nigerian-take-on-producer-responsibility/

__________________________________________________________________________________

The mining problem that critical metals recycling could help resolve

“Trump Wants to Accelerate Extraction in Venezuela. So Do Drug Trafficking Organizations” By Katie Surma - Inside Climate News -- January 11, 2026

“Illegal mining has enriched the Maduro regime and criminal groups while devastating the Amazon and its people. The U.S. is pulling out of organizations aimed at stopping the harm.”

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/11012026/venezuela-illegal-mining-impacts-indigenous-people/

“How the renewed push for critical minerals puts Canadian waters at risk” -- National Observer via Mining Watch Canada -- Jan 7, 2026

“In Ontario, the Red Lake Operations gold mine has been granted approval to soil 6 lakes with tailings waste. The Meliadine Mine, …….in Nunavut, has been given approval to soil 15 bodies of water with tailings … In Nova Scotia, the Goldboro Gold Mine will soil 7 bodies of water. In British Columbia, BW Gold .. given approval to use 24 bodies of water for waste. And there are many more.”

https://www.nationalobserver.com/2026/01/05/analysis/how-renewed-push-critical-minerals-puts-canadian-waters-risk“

“US Auto Industry’s Links to Pollution and Disease in Steel Communities” -- Mighty Earth - 22JAN26

“Without quickly moving beyond coal-based steel, U.S. producers will become liabilities as markets turn to green steel. The top six automakers analyzed account for well over half of the U.S. auto market—if they demand change, the steel industry must follow.”

https://mightyearth.org/article/u-s-auto-industrys-links-to-pollution-and-disease-in-steel-communities/

“Global report reveals the critical impact of extractivism on indigenous tropical forests”By Aleida Rueda / SciDev.net / Noticias Ambientales -- 10NOV25

“The analysis also sheds light on effective solutions.” / “ … an example the Maya Biosphere Reserve in Guatemala, where deforestation in areas managed by communities is seven times lower than the national average.” / “…. growing coordination among organizations from the world’s major tropical basins offers a sign of hope for indigenous tropical forests,..”

https://noticiasambientales.com/environment-en/global-report-reveals-the-critical-impact-of-extractivism-on-indigenous-tropical-forests/

__________________________________________________________________________________

Climate Solutions

“US carbon emissions rose in 2025 as coal produced more power” -- by Julian Spector - Canary Media 13JAN26

“ …. booming electricity demand and higher natural gas prices gave coal a temporary opening in the market.” / U.S. carbon emissions increased in 2025, even as clean energy installations surged.”

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/emissions-reduction/us-carbon-emissions-rose-coal?

“Installing Heat Pumps in Factories Could Save $1.5 Trillion—and 77,000 Lives” by Matt Simon -- Mother Jones -- 20AUG25

“The big surprise, in many ways, is how big the health benefits truly are.”

https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2025/08/industrial-heat-pumps-factories-save-money-lives-health-benefits/

__________________________________________________________________________________

“Why is it that an industry that saves billions of tons of carbon emissions, adds billions to global GDP [gross domestic product], employs millions providing green jobs and reduces methane emissions by reducing landfill waste is still not on the COP agenda” -- Ranjit Baxi,

_____________________________________________________________

What can we do ? -- Recycle our e-waste & metals (of course) / use & support our local & regional initiatives and recycling centers (government & industry) / support organizations advocating for rapid expansion of sustainable e-waste & metal recycling as one climate solution.

A Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report is published twice a month

Please click to subscribe:

$55 a year

a Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report #6

January 7, 2026

In this edition — 13 links including:

leading E-Waste recycling countries / EU wind blade recycling / US solar-storage circularity / household copper mining / Black Hills mining tension / US Tribal e-cyling Support etc.

____________________________________________________________________________

Advocating for a rapid expansion of e-waste and critical metals recycling and reuse projects around the world.

We need metals for solar, wind, energy storage, EVs, batteries, heat-pumps and geothermal - but we can’t mine our way out of the climate crisis.

Economic and environmental cooperation is building between governments; responsible producers; private and public recycling and reuse industries; renewable energy industries; impacted communities; and a support network of environment and energy coalitions and associations. Indigenous communities, in particular, are on the front lines of the climate crisis.

This report is shared with over 1,000 people who work with or support critical metal recycling and reuse.

____________________________________________________________________________

Featured links:

*“8 Countries Leading the Way in E-Waste Recycling and What We Can Learn from Them”

*“Wind power in transition: Recycling as an opportunity rather than a problem – What actually happens to wind turbines after they have been used up?”

*“How States Are Evolving E-Waste Policy to Reduce Pollution and Promote Stewardship”

*“Vape fires cost waste, recycling sector $2.5B yearly”

*“America’s Mines Are Literally Throwing Away Critical Metals”

*“UK’s copper crunch may be solved by household copper mining”

*“Metallium accelerates its US expansion”

*(“How This Tech Can Break China’s Rare Earth Monopoly- Dr James Tour”)

*“How the Solar Industry Can Build Circularity”

*“Mining tensions rise in Black Hills as communities face new exploration” - South Dakota

*”Leveraging Tribal Support for Electronic Waste Recycling to Reduce Mining and to Safeguard Indigenous Lands Across the United States” - National Congress of American Indians

*“Uranium rolls on Navajo Nation amid doubts”

*“Save the Brazilian Rainforest”

________________________________________________________________________

The E-Waste economic & environmental opportunity

“8 Countries Leading the Way in E-Waste Recycling and What We Can Learn from Them” -- reecollabb.com -- 2025

“These eight countries demonstrate that effective e-waste recycling requires a combination of clear regulations, public awareness, and advanced recycling technologies. By learning from their successful strategies, other nations can develop their own efficient systems to manage electronic waste. The end goal is to minimize the environmental impact of e-waste and recover valuable resources, paving the way for a sustainable future.” --{ Switzerland /Sweden /Norway/ South Korea / Japan / Germany /Belgium / Canada}

https://reecollabb.com/8-countries-leading-the-way-in-e-waste-recycling/

“Wind power in transition: Recycling as an opportunity rather than a problem – What actually happens to wind turbines after they have been used up?” by Konrad Wolfenstein -- Xpert -- September 15, 2025

“Recycling most components is .. straightforward – steel, copper, and concrete can be recycled in established ways. The primary challenge lies with the rotor blades …”/ Germany is facing a significant wave of dismantling.” / “Vestas turbines are currently 85 percent recyclable. Blade recyclability is expected to increase to 50 percent by 2025 and to 100 percent by 2030.” / The European Environment Agency is working on a Europe-wide ban on the disposal of rotor blades …”

https://xpert.digital/en/wind-power-recycling/

“How States Are Evolving E-Waste Policy to Reduce Pollution and Promote Stewardship” --By statecapitallobbyist -- USA --July 17th, 2025 /

“As the United States grapples with mounting electronic waste (e-waste) pollution, a growing number of states are moving beyond stopgap recycling efforts and adopting legislation that reflects the core principles of a circular economy: durability, repairability, extended producer responsibility (EPR), and universal access to safe disposal.” (Maryland; Massachusetts; New York; Minnesota; Pennsylvania; Illinois)

https://statecapitallobbyist.com/environment/how-states-are-evolving-e-waste-policy-to-reduce-pollution-and-promote-stewardship/

“Vape fires cost waste, recycling sector $2.5B yearly”byScott Snowden in E-Scrap via Resource Recycling -- December 9, 2025

”Ryan Fogelman at Fire Rover said ’..that cost should not fall on municipal taxpayers or waste companies …..it belongs with manufacturers through extended producer responsibility programs …’/ ‘ ….. two and a half billion dollars a year and just to the waste and recycling industry. That is not global. …the financial toll comes on top of risks to workers, nearby residents and responding fire departments.’ “

https://resource-recycling.com/e-scrap/2025/12/09/vape-fires-cost-waste-recycling-sector-2-5b-yearly/

_______________________________________________________________________

The Copper & critical metals recycling opportunity

“America’s Mines Are Literally Throwing Away Critical Metals” by Tik Root - Mother Jones -- 23AUG25

There’s enough lithium in a year’s worth of waste to produce 10 million EV batteries.

“ ……. across 70 critical elements at 54 active mines, the potential for recovery is enormous. There is enough lithium in one year of US mine waste, for example, to support 10 million electric vehicles. For manganese, it’s enough for 99 million. Those figures far surpass both U.S. import levels of those elements and current demand for them.”

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/08/us-mining-wasate-recovery-critical-metals/

“UK’s copper crunch may be solved by household copper mining” Material Focus Press Release - 08OCT24

“All the shallow, easy-to-extract copper deposits have been mined out. Securing social and environmental approval to build new mines is becoming harder, and it can take up to 15 years to commence mining.” /”Increasing … recycled copper to 50% from current levels of 30% would be a significant challenge for global supply chains but could potentially meet the additional demand.”

https://www.materialfocus.org.uk/?press-releases=uks-impending-copper-crunch-could-be-solved-through-uk-household-copper-mines

“Metallium accelerates its US expansion” by David Daoud -- Resource Recycling in E-Scrap News -04SEP25

“ ……flash joule heating technology .. developed at Rice University to recover critical and precious metals from e-scrap using high-voltage electrical pulses.”/ “Supporters …say it requires less energy and produces fewer emissions than smelting or acid-based recovery.”/ “Metallium would be among the first foreign-based companies to operate multiple permitted e-scrap recovery facilities in the United States.”

https://resource-recycling.com/e-scrap/2025/09/04/metallium-accelerates-its-us-expansion/

“How This Tech Can Break China’s Rare Earth Monopoly - Dr. James Tour” https://www.youtube.com

“How the Solar Industry Can Build Circularity” By Jasmin Jessen- Sustainability Magazine --21JUL25

“We must act now to change course by actively reducing the carbon footprint of solar technologies while also investing in high-value recycling that addresses the end-of-life management of decommissioned solar panels in a sustainable manner. “Our industry must embody sustainability, not simply pay lip service to it.” -- Pat Buehler, Chief Product Officer at First Solar

https://sustainabilitymag.com/news/how-the-solar-energy-industry-can-build-circularity

________________________________________________________________________

The mining problem that critical metals recycling could help alleviate

“Mining tensions rise in Black Hills as communities face new exploration” By Marnie Cook -- Native Sun News Today -- South Dakota -- 17JUL25

“RAPID CITY – The Black Hills region is experiencing an unprecedented wave of mining and resource exploration activities, with multiple projects raising significant environmental and community concerns.”

https://www.nativesunnews.today/articles/mining-tensions-rise-in-black-hills-as-communities-face-new-exploration/

”Leveraging Tribal Support for Electronic Waste Recycling to Reduce Mining and to Safeguard Indigenous Lands Across the United States” - National Congress of American Indians Resolution #SEA-25-008

“... such mining poses significant risks to Indigenous lands throughout the United States (U.S.), as substantial portions of key transition metals are found near Native American reservations: 97% of nickel, 89% of copper, 79% of lithium, and 68% of cobalt reserves in the U.S. are located within 35 miles of Indian Reservations ..”

https://ncai.assetbank-server.com/assetbank-ncai/assetfile/5814.pdf

“Uranium rolls on Navajo Nation amid doubts” by Arlyssa D. Becenti - The Arizona Republic 04JAN2026

“ … in a community that is home to more than 100 abandoned uranium mines, part of the 523 reported across the Navajo Nation. The ore shipments add yet another concern to their ongoing efforts to better inform their community about the abandoned uranium mines, push leadership to listen and advocate for cleanup.”

https://arizonadailystar-az.newsmemory.com/?publink=49935d527_1351f2c

“Save the Brazilian Rainforest” - Rainforest Trust -- website - November 2025

“The Brazilian Amazon is under siege as land-grabbing for illegal mining, logging, agriculture and cattle farming destroy these ancient rainforests.” / “Rainforest Trust and our partner, Instituto Internacional de Educação do Brasil, will protect 2,262,878 acres in the states of Amazonas and Pará in the Brazilian Amazon for species and people who make their homes here.”

https://www.rainforesttrust.org/urgent-projects/save-the-brazilian-amazon/

_____________________________________________________________

“Why is it that an industry that saves billions of tons of carbon emissions, adds billions to global GDP [gross domestic product], employs millions providing green jobs and reduces methane emissions by reducing landfill waste is still not on the COP agenda” -- Ranjit Baxi,

_____________________________________________________________

What can we do ? -- Recycle our e-waste & metals (of course) / use & support our local & regional initiatives and recycling centers (government & industry) / support organizations advocating for rapid expansion of sustainable e-waste & metal recycling.

A Critical Metals Recycling & Reuse Report is published twice a month

Please click to subscribe:

$55 a year