Recycling industry updates: the biggest stories from our recent issue

The recycling industry has been busy this year. With advancements in technology, alternative fuel sources, and industry shifts, industry professionals had to adapt and evolve. Sectors like construction and demolition, metal scrap, steel production, lithium-ion battery recycling, and good old-fashioned paper have grown alongside community needs and environmental changes. 

In many cases, cutting-edge technology is needed to solve something as simple as large amounts of paper finding its way into landfills. More complex issues such as preparing for the EV battery recycling boom have streamlined a solution before a complex problem arises. 

Read on to see what's new and notable in the recycling industry in our latest issue:

Scrap metal finds new life at Capital Salvage 

Capital Salvage has been giving new life to what others consider waste in East Vancouver since the 1950s. As one of the few scrapyards left in British Columbia, Jen and Dov Dimant run a piece of history; scrapyards have played a critical role during times of economic downturn, offering a place of refuge for value in discarded materials. Dov took over the business from his parents and maintained a tight bond with his fellow inner-city scrapyard owners in the area. 

Now, the couple takes pride in maintaining a piece of history in a rapidly evolving city. Read more about Capital Salvage and their ability to turn scrap into art. 

The recycling industry prepares for the EV battery boom 

With the increased use of lithium-ion batteries comes a new set of recycling challenges. The demand for these low-maintenance batteries has grown considerably in the electric car industry. 

Cirba Solutions plans to invest roughly $2 billion into the battery recycling sector over the next few years to prepare for the surge of end-of-life batteries. Investing in a closed-loop lithium-ion supply chain is possible with expanding recycling networks, and processing facilities, and embracing challenges head-on. 

Investments in infrastructure and campaigns are just the starting point for Cirba Solutions; read the full article to learn more about lithium-ion battery recycling solutions. 

Steel mills in Mexico expand production 

Mexico's geographical position provides expansion opportunities to shore up production in international supply chains in steel in 2025. The country is looking at pacing with new markets other than the U.S. and the EU, which have stringent regulations due to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). As well, the possible 25 percent tariffs that could be placed by U.S. President Donald Trump may force Mexico to look elsewhere for buyers. 

In spite of these roadblocks, several companies, Gerdau, DeAcero, Frisa, ArcelorMittal, Ternium, TYASA, and Simec, all have expansions or new industrial projects planned for the coming year. Find more details on the outlook for Mexican steel production by reading the full article. 

The paradox of paper recycling 

Although it might seem like second nature to recycle simple items like paper, there are several myths and misconceptions that cause a paradox in paper recycling. Despite being so easy to reuse, it's still the most prominent material found in the municipal waste stream. 

The prevalence of paper in landfills is a sign to the industry that something is amiss with processes. For instance, issues with contamination and technology often force household items to be thrown in the garbage rather than a recycling bin. Thankfully, there are some easy solutions, such as creating more compostable packaging so food-soiled paper does not go to the landfill. 

As paper recycling technology advances, keep up to date by reading more about it in our most recent issue. 

New advancements in construction and demolition recycling 

The construction and demolition (C&D) recycling sector continues to evolve alongside new advancements. Tighter spaces, alternative power sources, and exceptional safety protocols all push OEMs to update machinery. 

Here's the latest in C&D recycling:

• RUBBLE MASTER entered the mobile jaw crusher market with the RM J110X designed for hard natural rock and C&D applications.
• Kleemann combined compact dimensions, low transport weight, and enhanced flexibility to make the MOBIREX MR 100(i) NEO/NEOe impact crusher. 
• Komatsu brought a new line of demolition excavators to the North American market. 
• Volvo CE updated its line of demolition excavators including straight boom and high-reach models. 
• SENNEBOGEN's 830 R-HDD long-front demolition machine has been engineered for tight spaces and urban demolition projects. 

Details on these machines and more can be found in the article with updates on the fast-paced C&D industry. 

Looking to discover more about advancements in the recycling industry? Read the full web version of the January / February 2025 issue here and sign up for the newsletter to never miss a story.