The goal of this report is to provide an understanding of global non-ferrous metal scrap flows in the context of non-ferrous industry developments over the 2000 to 2011 period. The focus of this study is on copper and aluminium as the two largest non-ferrous metals in terms of both material tonnages and market value. The report consists of four chapters. The first chapter, presented here, provides a brief backdrop to the analysis on non-ferrous scrap flows. It outlines growth in metal demand and the underlying reasons for this growth.

A small-scale approach to making wheels using a jig

Brazil has more than 50 million old household refrigerators. Most of these are energy-inefficient and still contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which are ozone layer depleting gases having also an extremely high global warming potential (GWP). Currently, scrap collectors (so called catadores) collect old refrigerators from slum areas (favelas) and dismantle them in order to recover and sell any valuable materials such as metals and plastics. In this process, the CFCs from the refrigeration circuits and insulation foams are released into the atmosphere.

Capturing ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases from household refrigerators Brazil has more than 50 million old household refrigerators. Most of these are energy-inefficient and still contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which are ozone layer depleting gases having also an extremely high global warming potential (GWP). Currently, scrap collectors (so called catadores) collect old refrigerators from slum areas (favelas) and dismantle them in order to recover and sell any valuable materials such as metals and plastics.