The aim of the research project was to promote the sustainable utilisation of the non-renewable raw materials copper and lead. Of all economically important metals, they are characterised by the relative scarcity of their natural resources. However, the recycling rates for lead and copper were only around 53 % and 44 % respectively.

Material family trees were created for lead and copper. They provide information about the usage patterns as well as key value chains and stakeholder interfaces. The potential for sustainable inventory management was identified and characterised for 10 priority fields of action, including renewable energy appliances, motor vehicles and buildings, in over 50 expert interviews, including with product developers, environmental officers and representatives of associations and environmental authorities. The project results can be found in an IZT workshop report, which was one of the institute's top downloads for over a decade.

Following the analysis of inhibiting and promoting factors for recycling and substitution, promising measures and instruments were derived. The subsequent work step centred on the development of a mix of instruments for the sustainable management of the two resources lead and copper, which was assessed by Dr Klinski in a political and legal subcontract at the end of 2001.