This was part of China's efforts to maintain sustainable economic growth, improve the efficient use of resources and lessen environmental pollution, they said.

The three-day forum on metals recycling was held in Fengcheng.

China also used 3 million tons of recycled aluminum, or 20 percent of its annual consumption; and nearly 1 million tons of recycled lead, 25 percent of consumption in 2008.

The figures place China the second in the world in terms of annual consumption of recycled aluminum and lead.