Can magnets be recycled?

Published: 2023-03-19 11:30:21 • Daniel Gårdefelt

These days magnets are in everything from cars to refrigerators to televisions to pacemakers. Still, many people question whether magnets are recyclable and biodegradable. Today we will cover these topics and more, and discuss the effects of magnet recycling and biodegradability.

Can magnets be recycled?
Short answer: yes, magnets can be recycled. However, due to their complicated composition, recycling magnets can be difficult. Rare earth metals such as neodymium are often combined with more common metals such as iron, cobalt and nickel to create magnets.

Disassembling magnets and recycling the metal components for reuse can be time-consuming and expensive. But new recycling methods make the recycling of magnets less troublesome and more economically viable. Hydrogen stripping, where hydrogen gas is used to corrode and dissolve a material, is a method of separating the metals from magnets.

Several positive results can be achieved with magnet recycling. It reduces the negative effects of mining and manufacturing on the environment by minimizing resource consumption and waste. The supply chain can be made more sustainable and efficient by using recycled magnets.

Exactly how quickly do magnets break down?
In short, magnets do not break down in natural environments. Metals and alloys, the raw elements for making magnets, are not biodegradable. Natural microorganisms break down and reuse organic waste through a process called biodegradation. Metals and alloys cannot be broken down by bacteria because they are not organic.

Many of the materials used to make magnets may be biodegradable, even if the magnets themselves are not. For example, some manufacturers secure the magnets with biodegradable adhesives and coatings, even though they make up only a small part of the magnet overall.

Magnets' capacity to be recycled gives factories a chance to reduce waste and save materials. By including easily recyclable magnets in product design, manufacturers can reduce their products' negative impact on the environment.

Magnets' capacity to be recycled means a waste-reducing and economic-enhancing potential for consumers. Consumers can do their part to save resources and reduce their environmental impact by recycling old magnets. In general, it is fine to throw away small amounts of used neodymium magnets with the usual garbage / household waste. Larger quantities of magnets need to be recycled as scrap metal.

Finally, although magnets are not biodegradable, they are recyclable. Magnets can now be recycled more easily and at lower cost than ever before, opening new avenues for resource conservation and waste minimisation. The magnets' recyclability benefits both producers and consumers, which contributes to the circular economy and promotes sustainability.