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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

Berlin, Germany

September 9 2026

ICBR 2026 – Berlin

Other Events

Brussels, Belgium

June 24 2026

Textiles Recycling Expo 2026

Recycling Europe Events

IFEMA, Madrid

June 10 2026

European Recycling Conference (ERC) 2026

Recycling Europe Events

Brussels, Belgium

May 27 2026

Securing Europe’s clean transition through e-waste circularity

Recycling Europe Events

IFAT, Munich

May 6 2026

Fast fashion, slow progress? Scaling EU circularity in textiles

Other Events

May 4 2026

IFAT Munich 2026
See All Events

Who we are

Reports & studies
18 March 2026

Recycling Europe Annual Report 2025

Recycling Europe has published its Annual Report for 2025.

The Annual Report provides a summary of the collective achievements of the members, partners, sponsors, Branches and the Secretariat in 2025 across the fields of metals, e-waste, packaging, plastics, paper, tyres, End-of-life Vehicles (ELVs), waste shipments, textiles, construction and demolition, and ship recycling.

2025 has been a year of transition and truth—of asking hard questions about where our sector is headed. As Recycling Europe, we step into this next chapter with clarity, conviction, and a firm belief that recyclers are not just part of the system, but essential to Europe’s industrial future.

To our members, partners, sponsors, and team: your commitment powers this mission. This progress is yours.

You can consult the Annual Report 2025 or download a PDF version below.

Download the publication

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Related Publications

Stay informed with our latest insights, anytime, anywhere.

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March 29 2026 | Position papers/letters

EU-27 EFR Steel Scrap Specification

In replacement of all previous EFR specifications, whether standing alone or jointly agreed with other legal entities. Originally published in May 2007
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January 19 2026 | Position papers/letters

EU Recyclers’ Roadmap: For a circular & future-proof e-waste sector

Between 2012 and 2021, the amount of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) generated in the EU increased from 7 Mt to 8,4 Mt (+ 20%) [1], making WEEE one of the fastest growing waste streams in Europe and globally. WEEE recycling plays a crucial role in decarbonising the WEEE value chain and contributes significantly […]
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November 6 2025 | Reports & studies

EU Recyclers' Manifesto: Removing barriers to paper circularity

Paper recycling is one of Europe’s greatest circular economy achievements. For decades, it has quietly delivered what the Green Deal now aims to scale up: resource savings, lower energy use, reduced CO2 emissions, and sustainable value chains rooted in Europe. Every tonne of recovered paper keeps raw materials in the loop, supports thousands of jobs, and reduces […]