About us
The Roundtable on the Responsible Recycling of Metals is a multi-stakeholder initiative that seeks to ensure there are appropriate standards, systems and tools available for the responsible production and sourcing of recycled metals.
The Roundtable seeks to help signpost existing solutions, identify and clarify gaps that need closing and propose solutions to these gaps. It provides a structure for collaboration and mapping of the scope of and alignment between different initiatives. It intends to help frame the challenges and opportunities as we move towards circular economies and to provide a roadmap for key actors so they can save time and effort in replicated responsible sourcing efforts.
The RRRM’s activities are driven by regular roundtable engagement, supported and coordinated by the secretariat and overseen by the Steering Group. The secretariat is provided by One Planet Ltd
The RRRM’s activities are driven by regular roundtable engagement, supported and coordinated by the secretariat and overseen by the Steering Group. The secretariat is provided by One Planet Ltd
Core Principles
The Roundtable is based on the following Core Principles*:
Stakeholder Engagement
The Roundtable is inclusive and non-discriminatory. It includes perspectives of diverse groups of stakeholders affected by its decisions.Transparency
The Roundtable communicates openly and transparently.* The Roundtable’s Core Principles are adapted from the ISEAL Credibility Principles
Governance
The RRRM’s activities are driven by regular roundtable engagement, supported and coordinated by the secretariat and overseen by the Steering Group. The Steering Group has a balanced membership between commercial and non-commercial interests.The Steering Group is responsible for:
- Achieving the objectives of the Roundtable
- Guiding the activities of the Roundtable
- Overseeing the Roundtable Secretariat
- Adopting the Roadmap for the Responsible Recycling of Metals
The Steering Group will meet on a regular basis, at least monthly and members will be expected to review and approve deliverables of each activity.
The facilitator acts as an independent party and does not represent any stakeholder group. The role of the facilitator is to act in good faith to understand and to find common positions that can reasonably and fairly represent the range of stakeholder interests considering the objectives of the Roundtable.
The facilitator acts as an independent party and does not represent any stakeholder group. The role of the facilitator is to act in good faith to understand and to find common positions that can reasonably and fairly represent the range of stakeholder interests considering the objectives of the Roundtable.
The Steering Group comprises:
Recycling companies
Metal producers and processors
Industry Associations
Voluntary standard systems
Civil Society Organizations
Academics
End Users
Trading Platforms
The Steering Group is responsible for guiding and funding the Roundtable activities, and adopting the output to be delivered by the RRRM. Except for civil society members, who are invited to join the Steering Group at no cost, Steering Group members contribute financially to the Roundtable. Steering Group members regularly meet to review and approve deliverables of each activity.
"Recycled metals are an important part of Boliden’s mission to enable a sustainable future for generations to come. To achieve this, we need to source raw materials in a responsible way, and the Roundtable on Responsible Recycling of Metals is a great opportunity to work together, to increase the understanding of risks and opportunities in the secondary raw materials value chain."
"Maximising responsible sourcing of scrap is vital to driving the responsible production of steel. And since scrap will play a vital and growing role in the decarbonization of steelmaking, this could not be more important in ensuring that the industry’s transition to net zero works for all. That’s why ResponsibleSteel is committed to supporting the Roundtable on the Responsible Recycling of Metals and its vital objective to ensure circular economies rely on recycled metals that do not harm people or the environment."
"As a Steering Group member, the International Copper Association supports the aims of the Roundtable of Responsibly Recycled Metals; the responsible sourcing of scrap is becoming increasingly important along the entire copper supply chain."
"CARES is the world’s leading independent provider of assured certification for the constructional steels industry. We certify over 130 steel mills, across 47 countries, most of which utilise significant volumes of ferrous scrap in Electric Arc, Induction and Basic Oxygen Furnaces. We welcome the Roundtable's work to help understand and codify the expectations of responsible sourcing within the ferrous scrap supply chain. This is a key part of CARES Sustainable Constructional Steels certification and our work with the steel industry and with construction stakeholders."
"Understanding existing work in responsible recycling is important to reduce duplicative efforts and a roundtable approach from interested parties will lead to a shared understanding of the landscape. The LME’s sustainability strategy relies on the transition to a more circular economy and the RRRM is a small way we feel we can make progress in this direction."
"In line with our WRF mission, at the RRRM Roundtable we expect to shed light on inclusive and sustainable secondary metals recovery."
"The Copper Mark works to promote responsible practices in the production, sourcing, and recycling of metals. We are fully aligned with the objective of the Roundtable for Responsible Recycling of Minerals and Metals to ensure circular economies rely on recycled minerals and metals that do not harm people or the environment. Building a strong coalition of interested parties will help us reduce duplication, drive efficiencies among existing initiatives and build a shared understanding of expectations for the responsible production and sourcing of recycled metals."
"Wieland is committed to working with the roundtable on Responsible Recycling of Metals, alongside our partners throughout the value chain, to drive industry-wide consensus on best practices, processes and implementation steps that enable us to accelerate sustainability and circular economy in metals and to be responsible stewards of the Earth’s mineral resources."
"The World Gold Council is committed to supporting enhanced transparency across the gold value chain, including greater clarity and consistency in defining and monitoring the role of secondary material and recycled gold as a significant aspect of supply. We very much hope our participation in the Roundtable on the Responsible Recycling of Metals will contribute to further progress in ensuring circular metal flows form part of a responsible and sustainable gold market."
"The Sustainable Shipping Initiative (SSI) is pleased to be a part of the Roundtable on Responsible Recycling of Metals. The maritime sector is reliant on steel as a consumer, which makes up over 70% of a vessel. At the same time, it is a key source of scrap at end of life. As we work toward a more sustainable shipping sector, addressing the challenge of steel across the ship lifecycle is critical, and we look forward to collaborating and sharing learnings through the Roundtable."
"We are enthusiastic about our involvement in the RRRM, which offers us a valuable opportunity that offers the South African Community of Practice: Waste to Value a valuable opportunity to engage globally. The roundtable presents an exciting avenue for fostering research initiatives aimed at establishing conscientious and sustainable metal recycling systems. Through informal integration of efforts, we aim to harmonize our practices with the best standards in socio-legal, technical, and environmental domains. In joining this roundtable, we anticipate forging connections with essential stakeholders, including key producers and councils from around the world. By actively participating, we aspire to contribute a unique Southern African perspective to the intricate challenges inherent in the recycling value chain. Our insights will help shed light on the complexities and intricacies specific to our region. By leveraging this platform, we intend to work towards the advancement of a responsible and equitable circular economy. We recognize the significance of aligning recycling practices with principles of sustainability and justice, and we are eager to contribute meaningfully to the global dialogue on responsible metals recycling."
"The RBA is a network of companies, trade unions and civil society organisations that promotes responsible business practices in global supply chains. It offers tools, initiatives and events on topics such as human rights, environmental sustainability and social responsibility."
Milestones
The Roundtable is bringing together key representatives of the recycling industry, main customer segments, voluntary standard systems, civil society and other relevant organisations to deliver the following activities.1. Stakeholder mapping
A stakeholder mapping exercise to identify and categorise relevant stakeholders
2. Needs and impact assessment
Participants in the Roundtable surveyed to understand their needs, interests and any current efforts related to the responsible production and sourcing of recycled metals. Survey information collated and honed through roundtable meeting
3. Mapping of existing standards, systems and tools
Identification and mapping of existing standards, systems and tools to the objectives and scope of the roadmap using desktop research and input from its participants. Mapping inputs and process informed by roundtable members.
4. Definition of scope and objectives
Building on the needs assessment, the objectives and scope of the roadmap will be defined and prioritised by Roundtable Working Groups.
A stakeholder mapping exercise to identify and categorise relevant stakeholders
2. Needs and impact assessment
Participants in the Roundtable surveyed to understand their needs, interests and any current efforts related to the responsible production and sourcing of recycled metals. Survey information collated and honed through roundtable meeting
3. Mapping of existing standards, systems and tools
Identification and mapping of existing standards, systems and tools to the objectives and scope of the roadmap using desktop research and input from its participants. Mapping inputs and process informed by roundtable members.
4. Definition of scope and objectives
Building on the needs assessment, the objectives and scope of the roadmap will be defined and prioritised by Roundtable Working Groups.
5. Development of a roadmap
Using the results of the previous activities, a roadmap for responsible recycling will be developed. The Roundtable does not intend to build new infrastructure nor, unless the roundtable think otherwise, create a responsible secondary metals standard.
The roadmap will be designed to provide outputs and recommendations that can be adopted by, integrate into, and build on, existing schemes and programs of its participants.
6. Agreement on next steps
Once member organisations have had an opportunity to consider the roadmap, they will consider and agree specific actions to take forward the recommendations. The Steering Group will consider if further support will be necessary from the Roundtable to deliver on the roadmap activities and if the RRRM’s own objectives have been achieved. Next steps will then be agreed.
Using the results of the previous activities, a roadmap for responsible recycling will be developed. The Roundtable does not intend to build new infrastructure nor, unless the roundtable think otherwise, create a responsible secondary metals standard.
The roadmap will be designed to provide outputs and recommendations that can be adopted by, integrate into, and build on, existing schemes and programs of its participants.
6. Agreement on next steps
Once member organisations have had an opportunity to consider the roadmap, they will consider and agree specific actions to take forward the recommendations. The Steering Group will consider if further support will be necessary from the Roundtable to deliver on the roadmap activities and if the RRRM’s own objectives have been achieved. Next steps will then be agreed.
Anti-trust
The Facilitator, Steering Group members and members of the Roundtable for Responsible Recycling of Metals should make themselves aware of applicable anti-trust laws and regulations and act accordingly when dealing with commercially sensitive information. The RRRM’s activities will not encourage violating national or international legislation.
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