<p>A large amount of slag is generated annually. It is not fully utilized and disposed of in slag heaps. Such copper slag storage poses risks due to the presence of harmful elements that can leach into the environment, leading to soil contamination, as well as surface and groundwater pollution. To address this issue, slag should be processed for the extraction of non-ferrous and ferrous metals, followed by their recycling into marketable products. At the same time, these methods should meet economic criteria and environmental safety standards for industrial application. Consequently, the implementation of copper slag recycling technologies presents a complex challenge. This article provides a critical analysis of various options for the utilization of copper slag, its environmental impact, and processing methods aimed at extracting valuable metals and subsequently recycling slag into marketable products. It results in a flowchart for potential copper slag recycling.<b> The purpose of this study</b> is to investigate the key issues associated with the processing of copper slags and to propose a rational approach for the disposal of these waste materials based on up-to-date recycling methods.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>