Recycling begins with
a feedstock question.
Recoverability is one condition. Collection, composition, timing and a qualified output market determine what can enter a realistic supply plan.
Trace the return route
as carefully as the first.
Government and research sources distinguish production scrap from material recovered after use. A recovery process still needs suitable feedstock, separation capability and an output that meets a buyer’s specification.
Our planning interpretation is to avoid treating a theoretical recycling potential as available replacement tonnes. Verify the feedstock stream and the usable output before assigning it to a disruption scenario.
USGS — Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 ↗
6 February 2026; revised May 2026 · Reviewed 5 November 2026.
CSIRO — Critical minerals ↗
Living research page; publication date not stated · Reviewed 5 November 2026.
Five questions for
a circular supply plan.
- What stream? Production scrap, collected batteries, tools, magnets or another defined feedstock?
- What composition? Chemistry, contamination and mixed components determine the required processing route.
- What timing? Collection and end-of-life returns may not match current manufacturing demand.
- What recovery boundary? Distinguish collected mass, process yield, recovered contained material and saleable product.
- What destination? Check specification, qualification, logistics and an end market for the recovered output.
No recycled-content certification or environmental comparison is made here. Such claims require a defined boundary, traceable evidence and the appropriate assessment method.
Recovered material is
qualified supply only when verified.
Enter recycling-derived replacement volumes in the Scenario Lab only when they are available during the interruption and meet the same product requirement.
Open the Scenario LabCSIRO — From minerals to materials: supplementary report — battery recycling ↗
2024-05 · Reviewed 5 November 2026.