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September 2025
The U.S. metal recycling market size is calculated at USD 87.91 billion in 2024, grew to USD 90.76 billion in 2025, and is projected to reach around USD 121.04 billion by 2034. The market is expanding at a CAGR of 3.25% between 2025 and 2034. The trend towards sustainability has allowed stakeholders to capitalize on growth opportunities.
What Are the Current Market Conditions for Scrap Metal in the United States?
The U.S. metal recycling market has experienced rapid growth in recent years. Also, the industries in the United States are prioritizing sustainability, where compliance and cost savings with stricter waste reduction policies have played a major role. As enlarged need for the recycled method from the major sectors like automotive, construction, and electronics is strengthening the foundation for future industry growth.
The need for energy and cost-efficient metals has positively impacted the industry's scalability and revenue potential of the market in recent years. Several manufacturers in the United States have seen under the heavy production of metal from scrap, such to benefits like energy saving, while minimizing the cost of metal as compared to virgin metal production. Also, the trends towards sustainable manufacturing practices have driven investor confidence in the industry’s future.
| Report Attributes | Details |
| Market Size in 2025 | USD 90.76 Billion |
| Expected Size by 2034 | USD 121.04 Billion |
| Growth Rate from 2025 to 2034 | CAGR 3.25% |
| Base Year of Estimation | 2024 |
| Forecast Period | 2025 - 2034 |
| Segment Covered | By Metal Type, By Recycling Method, By Source, By End-User IndustryBy Recycling Facility Type |
| Key Companies Profiled | Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc., Nucor Corporation, Commercial Metals Company, Alter Trading Corporation, Sims Metal Management, Radius Recycling, Metal Management Inc., OmniSource Corporation, Tube City IMS, Philip Metals Inc., Hugo Neu Corporation, Ferrous Processing & Trading Corporation, Sadoff Iron & Metal Company, Yaffe Companies, Inc., Louis Padnos Iron & Metal Company, Adams Steel, Inc., Pacific Coast Recycling, Inc., Azcon Corporation, Tennessee Valley Recycling, Ellis Metals, Inc. |
The growth of initiatives like urban mining of e-waste is expected to strengthen the bottom line for production firms during the forecast period. Also, by containing high-value material rather than traditional scrap, the e-waste scrap may lead the robust growth across the sector in the upcoming years in the United States.
The cost fluctuation between scrap metals might discourage funding and investments in the sector during the projected period. As the scrap material has been tied to global communities that control the industry environment. Furthermore, these price fluctuations are likely to restrict the entry of new market entrants who drive businesses with limited budgets.
How did the Ferrous Metals Segment Dominate the U.S. Metal Recycling Market in 2024?
The ferrous metals segment held approximately 60% share of the market in 2024, due to its widespread use in the major sectors like automotive, manufacturing, and construction. Moreover, having advantages like easy collection and wide availability, ferrous scrap has gained immense industry attention in recent years.
The non-ferrous metals segment is expected to grow at a notable rate during the predicted timeframe, owing to its lightweight application and increased demand in the renewable industry in the past few years. Furthermore, non-ferrous metals like copper, nickel, and aluminum have been seen under high demand from the EV battery and solar panel manufacturers in recent years.
Why Does The Mechanical Processing Segment Dominate The U.S. Metal Recycling Market By Recycling Method?
The mechanical processing segment held the approximately 50% share of the U.S. metal recycling market in 2024, as it is considered the cost-effective, scalable, and simple yet ideal option. Furthermore, the manufacturers are observed using techniques like magnetic separation, baling, and shredding for the massive ferrous scrap processing in the current period. Also, by requiring minimum investment, which is less than conventional thermal and chemical recycling, mechanical processing has gained major industry attention in the current period.
The hydrometallurgical segment is expected to grow at a notable rate during the predicted timeframe, as demand for recycling complex, high-value metals increases. Unlike mechanical processing, hydrometallurgy uses chemical solutions to extract metals with high purity, making it ideal for non-ferrous and rare metals.
How Postindustrial Scrap Segment Dominate The U.S. Metal Recycling Market In 2024?
The post-industrial scrap segment dominated the market with approximately 40% industry share in 2024 because it provides cleaner, higher-quality materials directly from manufacturing waste. Industries like automotive and construction generate consistent scrap streams, such as steel trimmings and aluminum cuttings, which are easier to recycle without contamination.
Post-consumer scrap segment is expected to grow at a significant rate during the forecast period, because it provides cleaner, higher-quality materials directly from manufacturing waste. Industries like automotive and construction generate consistent scrap streams, such as steel trimmings and aluminum cuttings, which are easier to recycle without contamination.
How did the Automotive Segment Dominate the U.S. Metal Recycling Market in 2024?
The automotive segment dominated the market with approximately 30% market share in 2024 because end-of-life vehicles are one of the largest sources of scrap metals in the U.S. Steel, aluminum, and copper from old cars provide consistent recycling streams, supported by well-established dismantling and shredding infrastructure. Automotive recycling also recovers catalytic converters, which contain valuable metals like platinum and palladium.
Electronics segment is expected to grow at a significant rate during the forecast period, as the U.S. faces rising e-waste volumes from rapid tech consumption. Devices like smartphones, laptops, and EV batteries contain valuable non-ferrous and rare metals such as cobalt, lithium, and gold. Unlike traditional scrap, electronic waste offers a higher profit per ton if recycled efficiently.
Why Does The Integrated Millis Segment Dominate The U.S. Metal Recycling Market By Recycling Facility Type?
The integrated mills segment dominated the market with a 45% market share in 2024 as the U.S. faces rising e-waste volumes from rapid tech consumption. Devices like smartphones, laptops, and EV batteries contain valuable non-ferrous and rare metals such as cobalt, lithium, and gold. Unlike traditional scrap, electronic waste offers a higher profit per ton if recycled efficiently.
The specialized plants segment is expected to grow at a significant rate during the forecast period, because of the need to handle complex waste streams like e-waste, EV batteries, and critical minerals. Unlike integrated mills, these facilities focus on precision recovery of high-value metals using hydrometallurgy, bioleaching, or advanced sorting. As U.S. industries demand cleaner, high-purity recycled inputs for electronics and energy applications, specialized plants will take the lead.
By Metal Type
By Recycling Method
By Source
By End-User Industry
By Recycling Facility Type
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September 2025
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