Are we running out of metals?

January 16, 2006

Scientists have estimated that there is more copper in wiring, coins, building materials, and landfills than in the ground in the United States.

Roughly 1/3 of U.S. copper is in use, 1/3 is in the ground, and 1/3 is in the trash, according to the National Academy of Sciences.

Some argue that valuable metals aren’t gone, just less available to be mined. Recycling could help recover metals and new technologies could reduce demand for metals such as zinc, aluminum, steel, and copper.

In the meantime, you can expect to see prices rise at your local home improvement center.

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