While the recycling of rare earth magnets – including neodymium and samarium cobalt – is technically possible, it is not scalable or efficient for most businesses. In fact, less than 1 percent of rare earths were recycled as of 2011, due to a combination of technical, financial, and political reasons. Still, several organizations and scientific studies are attempting to create a more efficient process of recycling these materials on a large scale, while focusing on the retention of the magnets’ original strength. If successful, these methods could prove to be a “greener” option for businesses who regularly use and dispose of rare earth magnets. Not to mention, it would reduce (if not eliminate) the need for overseas mining.  The U.S. Department of Energy encourages research, as well as better recycling of rare earth products, such as neodymium magnets. However, at least for the foreseeable future, easily recycled rare earth magnets are hypothetical and provisory. Where are Rare Earth Magnets Used? Among other regularly “consumed” products, you’ll find rare earth magnets used in electric cars, cellphones, computers, hard drives, headphones, speakers, and wind turbines. Typically, they are stockpiled for reclamation or simply thrown into landfills and will be until a time when they can be extracted and separated.  Any safety-conscious business will want to avoid unnecessary trouble with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and additional state or federal laws. To do so, you should practice the safe and proper disposal of your magnets. Disposal of Rare Earth and Ceramic Magnets Neodymium and samarium cobalt magnets are powerful and can be dangerous to handle. As such, you should never give away your rare earth magnets as a means of disposal. First, if possible, thermally demagnetize the magnets. You can thermally demagnetize rare earth magnets by bringing them to their Curie point – the temperature above which certain materials lose their magnetic properties – neodymium magnets begin to lose their properties if heated about 176° F. You can also use a demagnetizing tool, which passes an alternating current through the magnetic object such as Apex’s small screwdriver and precision tool demagnetizers.  If you aren’t able to demagnetize, you should use shielding – iron or steel sheets – to line the inside of some type of container. Then, you can dispose of the entire container. Doing so will keep your magnets from sticking to other ferrous metal in the landfill.  While ceramic magnets are much easier to dispose of because they are not as powerful as rare earth magnets, you should follow the same suggestions described above – demagnetize, and otherwise, shield magnets before disposing of them. Apex Magnets At Apex, we value safety, quality, and customer service. If you are a business looking to replenish your stock of neodymium, samarium-cobalt, or ceramic-ferrite magnets, visit our custom magnet request form, which is especially helpful if you would like to customize your order to a particular size or shape we do not keep in stock.