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

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Recycling Europe’s guide for a Circular Economy Act that delivers

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 […]

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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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Revision of the rules on single-use plastics (SUPD): EU Recyclers’ recommendations

In this paper, Recycling Europe sets out a series of recommendations to strengthen the implementation of the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD) and to support forthcoming legislation aimed at advancing the circular economy for plastics:

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Recovered paper exports sustain Europe’s successful paper recycling system

Recent political interventions, including the parliamentary question on Europe’s dependence on third countries for paper recycling and production, reflect a broader narrative that portrays exports of recovered paper as a threat to European industrial sovereignty. This concern is particularly striking in the case of paper, long regarded as a European circular economy success story. Structural […]

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Ensuring a smooth implementation of new EU waste shipment rules

Dear Commissioner Roswall, The new Waste Shipment Regulation entered into force on 20 May 2024, with most of its provisions—including critical operational requirements—set to apply from 21 May 2026. Among these are the mandatory electronic submission and exchange of information and documents, as well as the obligation to complete the Annex VII form at least […]

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Bridging circularity and decarbonisation through an ambitious EU Green Public Procurement (GPP) framework

Public procurement represents a powerful yet underutilised tool in the EU’s transition towards a climate-neutral, circular economy. Accounting for approximately 14% of the EU GDP – over €2.4 trillion annually, public procurement holds significant potential to influence market demand, shift production patterns, and accelerate the uptake of recycled materials and circular products, thereby contributing to […]

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EU-wide end-of-waste criteria for plastics waste. Feedback from the Recycling Industry

The European plastic recycling market continues to struggle, as recycled polymer demand remains weak with no signs of improvement. The recent package announced by the European Commission on 23 December, aimed at accelerating the EU’s transition to a circular plastics economy, marks an important first step toward strengthening plastic recycling in Europe. As part of […]

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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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Closing the loop: Mandatory recycled content in textile products placed in the EU – A contribution to the upcoming ecodesign delegated act on textile products

Recycling Europe Textiles (formerly EuRIC Textiles) – the textile reuse and recycling branch of Recycling Europe – welcomes the European Commission’s forthcoming delegated act on ecodesign requirements for textile products under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), as a critical opportunity to introduce forward-looking and impactful measures that can drive circularity in the European […]

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