Recycling of rare earths: a critical review

► Less than 1% of rare earths in end-of-life consumer products are being recycled. ► Recycling can help to ensure a supply of the most critical rare earths. ► Valuable waste streams are magnets, metal hydride batteries and lamp phosphors. ► Recycling of neodymium avoids overproduction of cerium and lanthanum. ► Recycling and primary mining of rare earths are complementary activities.