is an integral part of the metals industry. Metals are recycled because of their high value and the fact that most metals can be recycled without loss of quality, making them more economical than ore mining and refining. This is particularly true for non-ferrous metals such as nickel, which can create a win-win situation for both the environment and the industry.

In 2006, the metals industry issued a declaration on recycling principles. Signed by 18 metal commodity associations, including the International Nickel Institute, the declaration aims to encourage policymakers, designers and manufacturers to adopt life-cycle thinking when discussing metal recycling policies.

Recycling is an important part of the nickel life cycle and an important process for global sustainability. Nickel-containing products, such as stainless steel, are durable and designed for long-term use. Through recycling, nickel and nickel-containing alloys can be restored to their original state or transformed into a different but still valuable form. For example, nickel-containing stainless steel scrap can be converted into new stainless steel, or nickel from recycled batteries can be used to make nickel-containing stainless steel. It is known that about 68 per cent of nickel in consumer products is recycled to start its new life cycle; 15 per cent goes into carbon steel circuits; and 17 per cent goes into landfills, mainly for metal products and waste electrical and electronic equipment.

Given its outstanding properties and high recycling efficiency, nickel, as well as nickel-containing stainless steels, demonstrate how primary materials can contribute to the circular economy. Nickel-containing products are more economically attractive due to its high corrosion resistance, and therefore its associated products are more durable and less costly to maintain.