BEIJING - China's rising output of nonferrous metals through recycling has helped with energy savings and environmental protection, an industrial organization said Friday.

The China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association announced that output of the major categories of recycled nonferrous metals hit 5.4 million tons in the first eight months of the year, representing a rise of 3.8 percent year-on-year.

Of the sum, recycled copper output stood at 1.7 million tons, the same amount as produced during the same period last year; recycled aluminum output hit 2.8 million tons, up 4 percent year-on-year, while recycled lead output stood at 900,000 tons, up 7 percent, NMIA data showed.

Between 2002 and 2011, the production of nonferrous metals through recycling reduced usage of standard coal by 110 million tons, and of water by 8.56 billion cubic meters.

Meanwhile, the output of solid waste reduced by 7.68 billion tons, and sulfur dioxide emission reduced by 2.52 million tons, according to the data.