This article is based on insights shared in the Minerals Metals Initiative podcast featuring Hugo Schumann, CEO of EverMetal Capital and Elemental Group USA. Quotes are sourced from the podcast and used for informational purposes under fair use. Watch the full episode on YouTube.
Why Metals Recycling Matters
The global race to secure critical minerals is intensifying, and one solution is gaining traction: metals recycling.
In a recent episode of the Minerals Metals Initiative podcast, Hugo Schumann explained why recycling is no longer a “nice-to-have” but a strategic necessity for national security and sustainability.
The Problem: A Broken Loop
“We mine metals in the Congo, Canada, and Australia, refine them in China, ship them to the US, use them, and then throw them into landfill,” Schumann said. “Then we start all over again.”
Current recycling rates in the US hover around 20–30%, meaning 70–80% of metals end up wasted.
This inefficiency not only strains resources but deepens reliance on China, which controls over 75% of global downstream processing capacity for critical metals.
The Opportunity: Circular Economy
Schumann believes the next decade will transform recycling from a fragmented, “scrappy” industry into a cornerstone of global supply chains.
Elemental Group already recycles 40 million pounds of e-waste annually—equivalent to 90 fully loaded Boeing 747s and aims to scale further as demand for electronics and EV batteries surges.
“Metals can be recycled forever,” Schumann noted. “I’d love to see recycling rates rise to 70–80% in my lifetime.”
Barriers and Solutions
Unlike Europe, where recycling infrastructure is well-developed, the US lacks convenient collection points and consumer incentives.
Schumann argues that policy changes, OEM responsibility programs, and public awareness campaigns are key to driving adoption.
Partnerships with companies like Dell and HP are already helping close the loop by channelling old devices back into recycling streams.
Innovation and Investment
Technology is central to scaling recycling. Elemental uses advanced optical sorting and non-ferrous separation to achieve zero waste, even recycling plastics.
Schumann is also spearheading plans for a US-based innovation hub to accelerate commercialisation of breakthrough recycling technologies.
“Tax incentives are great, but we need risk funding and grants to fast-track innovation,” Schumann said, pointing to recent US initiatives and tariffs aimed at stimulating domestic recycling.
Geopolitical Stakes
China’s dominance in refining and battery production poses a strategic challenge.
Schumann advocates for long-term contracts between OEMs and recyclers—similar to uranium markets—to stabilize prices and encourage investment.
Without such measures, Western companies’ risk being undercut by subsidized Chinese competitors.
What’s Next?
EverMetal is rolling out a scrap yard consolidation strategy, acquiring family-owned businesses to build a professionalized recycling platform.
Meanwhile, Elemental is expanding its e-waste operations and exploring partnerships to capture the coming wave of data center and EV battery recycling.
“The technology is here. The opportunity is massive. Now it’s about execution,” Schumann concluded.
Bottom Line
Metals recycling isn’t just about sustainability—it’s about securing supply chains, reducing geopolitical risk, and unlocking billions in economic value.
As Schumann puts it:
“We’re in a material world. It’s time to start treating these resources like the strategic assets they are.”
Disclaimer: This article summarizes and comments on publicly available content from the Minerals Metals Initiative podcast for informational purposes only. All quotes are attributed to the original source.
