The Indian Ministry of Mines recently issued the National Non-Ferrous Metal Scrap Recycling Framework 2020. The move aims to reduce scrap imports and enhance efficiency in the mineral value chain through a life cycle management approach.
Objectives of the Recycling Framework
The framework intends to contribute more significantly to the GDP through wealth and job creation resulting from metal recycling. Additionally, it seeks to establish an organized, efficient recycling ecosystem utilizing energy-efficient processes. Environmentally sound recycling systems will minimize landfill waste and environmental pollution caused by end-of-life products. Lastly, the initiative aims to build a responsive ecosystem that involves all stakeholders.
Guidelines for Implementation
The recycling framework proposes the establishment of a central Metal Recycling Authority to bolster metal recycling efforts. It plans to develop a mechanism for registering segregators, dismantlers, recyclers, and collection centers to bring the recycling process under an organized umbrella.
Following international practice, it is also proposed to set up ‘Urban Mines,’ locations designed to accumulate large quantities of similar materials for recycling. In this context, the government will establish standards for the quality of scrap used for recycling. The possibility of creating an online market or exchange platform for recycled metals is also being explored. Recyclers could potentially sign collection contracts with industrial and commercial establishments.
The Role of Various Stakeholders
Manufacturers must abide by any Extended Producer Responsibility guidelines or regulations rigorously. They also need to design products that can be efficiently and environmentally recycled or reused. The public’s responsibility lies in disposing of their scrap at designated collection centers for efficacious, environmentally friendly processing.
The government, particularly the MoEF&CC, needs to streamline regulatory requirements, eliminating overlapping clearances where possible for the recycling units. The Recycling Authority will be responsible for developing technical, safety, and environmental norms and SOPs for scrap handling and processing.
Challenges faced by the Non-Ferrous Metals Recycling Industry
The industry faces several significant hurdles such as heavy dependence on imported metal scrap, lack of an organized and systematic scrap recovery mechanism, and absence of sustained implementation of existing waste collection and recycling regulations. The lack of standardization for recycled products also hampers market adoption. There is a dire need for skills related to responsible methods and technologies in recycling.
Government Initiatives in Recycling
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) is currently formulating the National Resource Efficiency Policy, intended to boost resource efficiency across sectors. In this context, the aluminum sector is being considered a priority area. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Steel has introduced a Steel Scrap Recycling Policy to promote the establishment of metal scrap recycling centers. NITI Aayog plans to introduce a comprehensive ‘National Material Recycling Policy.’
Non-Ferrous Metals: An Overview
Non-ferrous metals are broadly classified into base metals (aluminum, copper, zinc, lead, nickel, tin), precious metals (silver, gold, palladium, other platinum group metals), minor metals including refractory metals (tungsten, molybdenum, tantalum, niobium, chromium), and specialty metals (cobalt, germanium, indium, tellurium, antimony, and gallium).
Aluminum ranks second after iron as the most used metal globally, with copper being the third most essential by value. Meanwhile, zinc holds the fourth position among the most widely used metals worldwide.
