Metal can have a very long life if it is recovered properly.

In this Proof of Recycling video, we follow scrap metal through the recycling process and see how different metals are collected, sorted and prepared to be used again. Keeping valuable metals out of landfill means those materials can stay in use rather than being lost, while also reducing the need to rely entirely on newly extracted resources. Understanding the process also helps explain why items made from mixed materials, or products containing batteries and electronics, may need specialist recycling rather than simply being placed in a kerbside bin.

Watch the full journey and see what really happens after recycling leaves your kerbside.