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What we recycle

Plastics

Plastics are composed of polymers i.e., compounds made of many small molecules.

Ferrous metals

Ferrous metals, primarily composed of iron, include materials like steel and cast iron, which are commonly found in construction, manufacturing, and transportation.

Non-Ferrous metals

Non-ferrous metals, such as aluminum, copper, lead, zinc, and titanium, do not contain iron and are valued for their resistance to corrosion and high conductivity.

Paper

Recycled paper is a versatile material that can replace or supplement virgin pulp to create new products like packaging, newspapers, and insulation.

Textiles

Textiles, including both synthetic fibers like polyester and natural fibers like cotton, are integral to daily life, with global production nearly tripling since 1975.

Tyres

Tyres contain multiple valuable materials such as rubber (75%), steel (15%) and textile fibres (10%).

Construction & Demolition

Construction and demolition (C&D) waste includes materials like concrete, bricks, wood, metals, glass, plastics, and hazardous substances such as asbestos.

End-of-life Vehicles

End-of-life Vehicles (ELVs) contain valuable materials like metals (steel, aluminum), plastics, rubber, and glass, as well as batteries.

E-waste

E-waste, otherwise referred to as waste electronical and electronic equipment (WEEE), is mainly composed of non-ferrous metals (nickel, copper, lead, etc.

Ships

End-of-life ships are decommissioned vessels that contain valuable materials like steel, metals, and electronics, along with hazardous substances such as asbestos, oils, and toxic chemicals.

Explore

Events

Other Events

May 4 2026

IFAT Munich 2026

Other Events

November 4 2025

ECOMONDO 2025

Other Events

October 28 2025

SteelOrbis Fall 2025 Conference & 93rd IREPAS Meeting

Other Events

October 7 2025

Pollutec 2025

Recycling Europe Events

Hamburg Deutschland

October 1 2025

7th European Recycling Conference (ERC) 2025

Recycling Europe Events

March 27 2025

Threading up Europe’s textile circularity: Bridging policy and industry through trade
See All Events

Who we are

Press releases & statements
22 October 2025

ASTRI becomes Friends of Recycling Europe sponsor to boost textile circularity

Brussels, 22 October 2025 – Recycling Europe is delighted to welcome ASTRI as a Friends of Recycling Europe sponsor, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing circular practices in the textiles sector.

We are delighted to welcome ASTRI as a Friends of Recycling Europe sponsor. Partnering with forward-thinking actors is key to supporting innovation and advancing the shift towards a circular economy,” said Julia Ettinger, Secretary General of Recycling Europe.

Founded in 2017, ASTRI – the Italian Recycled Textile Association – was created to highlight and strengthen the work of the historic Prato Textile District, a global leader in producing high-quality fabrics from recycled raw materials.

Fabrizio Tesi, ASTRI President, added:

“Recycling is not a choice, recycling is a need”. In our sector, it is no longer an option but a responsibility that creates value, fostering not only environmental sustainability but also economic growth. The Prato district has demonstrated this for decades: recycling is an integral part of our productive DNA. With ASTRI, we are committed to enhancing this unique expertise, transforming fiber reuse into a sustainable and competitive model for the entire international textile industry.”

Through this collaboration, Recycling Europe and ASTRI aim to strengthen cooperation, amplify the voice of recyclers, and support EU policies that foster circular textile value chains.

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December 12 2025 | Press releases & statements

ELV trilogues show progress on demand for recycled materials, but recycled plastic target falls short

Brussels, 12 December 2025 – Recycling Europe sees the provisional agreement on the End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation as an important step towards a more circular automotive sector in Europe. While the full details of the final text are yet to be unveiled, it is encouraging to see mandatory recycled content targets — based exclusively on post-consumer […]
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December 8 2025 | Press releases & statements

Joint call: Prioritising European-made recycled plastic in meeting mandatory recycled content targets

In view of the imminent publication of the Circular Economy Winter-Package by Commissioner Roswall, the undersigned associations call for the prioritisation of European-made[1] recycled plastic to meet the mandatory recycled content targets. Europe cannot achieve its circular economy and climate goals without a viable recycling industry. We have set ambitious targets, invested billions in infrastructure, […]
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November 28 2025 | Press releases & statements

Cross-industry collaboration powering the conversation at Recycling Europe’s CEA event

Brussels, 28 November 2025 – Yesterday’s high-level event on the Circular Economy Act (CEA), organised by Recycling Europe, brought together policymakers, industry leaders, NGOs and experts for a cross-sector conversation on how Europe can translate ambitious circularity goals into practical, scalable industrial solutions. As Olivier François, President of Recycling Europe, emphasised, “The Circular Economy Act is a unique […]