EU Recyclers’ DO’s and DON’TS for the CEA

Circularity is no longer a niche environmental ambition. It is fast becoming a defining pillar of Europe’s industrial strategy. Amid mounting geopolitical pressures, volatile supply chains, and climate emergencies, the ability to retain materials, reduce resource dependence, and lower emissions has moved to the core of EU policymaking.

In this regard, the Clean Industrial Deal (CID) sets an ambitious target of increasing the circular material use rate (CMUR) from 11.8% today to 24% by 2030. In order to translate Europe’s circularity ambitions into functioning markets, the Circular Economy Act (CEA) represents a pivotal opportunity to boost demand for recycled materials and remove obstacles to the free movement of recycled materials within the Single Market.

In this document, Recycling Europe outlines its “DOs and DON’Ts” for the upcoming CEA, presenting key policy recommendations that can stimulate demand for high-quality recycled materials, expand recycling capacity, and identify measures that could, conversely, undermine the competitiveness of the recycling industry by restricting the recycled materials market or increasing administrative burdens.

Recycling Europe remains committed to engaging with policymakers and stakeholders to ensure that legislation effectively supports a circular economy, promotes investment in recycling infrastructure, and maximizes the use of high-quality recycled materials across all sectors.

Contents

1.      Boosting circularity and demand for “made in Europe” recycled materials.

2.      Trade and single market for recycled materials.

3.      Improving recovery of materials and reducing landfilling.

4.      Boosting e-waste and CRM circularity.

5.      Strengthening Construction and Demolition Waste management