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.

Who we are

Publication hub

  • All Publications
  • Position papers/letters
  • Press releases & statements
  • Public consultations & recommendations
  • Reports & studies
Read More

Enabling EU industrial policy through improved circular material flows: A proportionate green-list route for non-hazardous intra-EU e-waste shipments

The European e-waste value chain calls on the European Commission to ensure that non-hazardous e-waste destined for recovery within the EU continue to benefit from the green-list procedure under the Waste Shipment Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 beyond 1 January 2027. This is essential to preserve efficient intra-EU circular material flows and support European circular value chains. […]

Read More

A rescue plan for Europe’s plastics recycling crisis: EU Recyclers’ recommendations

The sharp increase in oil prices during the first quarter of 2026, driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, temporarily altered the economics of the plastics market. As virgin plastics suddenly became more expensive, Europe’s plastics recycling industry experienced short-term relief from years of struggling with weak demand for recycled plastics and unfair competition […]

Read More

Financing Europe’s circular economy: EU Recyclers’ recommendations for effective Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes

Extended Producer Responsibility Schemes have the potential to serve as an effective mechanism for financing the environmentally sound management of products at their end of their life cycle. Over the past decades, EPR schemes have contributed to significant improvements in waste collection and recycling rates across several sectors. Despite these advances, the implementation of EPR […]

Read More

Joint Letter: Putting Demand for Recycled Materials at the Heart of the Circular Economy Act

Ms. Ursula von der LeyenPresident of the European CommissionRue de la Loi 200, 1049, Brussels, BelgiumCc:Ms. Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive TransitionMr. Stéphane Séjourné, Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial StrategyMs. Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy Dear President Von der Leyen, The Circular […]

Read More

Joint Letter: Industry and businesses call for timely and effective implementation of the PPWR

Ursula von der Leyen – President of the European CommissionRoberta Metsola – President of the European ParliamentAntónio Costa – President of the European Council Cc:Teresa Ribera – Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Clean, Justand Competitive TransitionStéphane Séjourné – Executive Vice-President of the European Commission forProsperity and Industrial StrategyJessika Roswall – Commissioner for Environment, […]

Read More

Letter: Joint call to consider EU recyclers’ concerns on potential recycled aluminium export measures

Dear Executive Vice‑President Séjourné, Dear Commissioner Šefčovič, As the EU explores options to reinforce industrial competitiveness and material security, any policy must be grounded in facts and the realities of the full aluminium value chain. In this context, the undersigned associations and recycling companies wish to raise serious concerns about any consideration of export restrictions […]

Read More

Recycling Europe Tyres’ policy recommendations on how to unlock circularity through tyre ecodesign

Introduction The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) establishes a framework to improve the environmental sustainability of products placed on the EU market, via setting design requirements. In this context, the ecodesign of tyres is of vital importance for circularity in the tyre value chain. Tyres are complex products with long value chains, and design […]

Read More

Open Letter to Jessika Roswall: Advancing End-of-Waste Criteria for Recovered Paper

To the kind attention of: Ms Jessika ROSWALLCommissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy Brussels, 24 April 2026 Advancing End-of-Waste Criteria for Recovered Paper Dear Commissioner Jessika Roswall, On behalf of Recycling Europe, we would like to draw your attention to the urgent need to establish EU-wide end-of-waste (EoW) criteria for recovered […]

Read More

Recycling Europe’s position on the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA)

Recycling Europe welcomes the Commission’s objective to strengthen the EU industry and to stimulate demand for low-carbon products through the creation of lead markets under the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA). Incentivising circularity and recycling is a key tool to reach these objectives. However, in its current form, the proposal fails to recognise the role of […]

Load More