Metals are really easy to reclaim and the energy required to separate nearly pure metal from some minor contaminants is a lot lower than separating it from ore.

Metals are really easy to reclaim and the energy required to separate nearly pure metal from some minor contaminants is a lot lower than separating it from ore. If anything, recycling batteries is one of the most obviously beneficial things to do. Works for lead, and recycling aluminum cans was also cost effective (when you get rid of the cost of collecting the cans). Glass is also cost effective.