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

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Galloo joins Recycling Europe as Gold Sponsor

Brussels, 16 April 2026 – Recycling Europe is pleased to welcome Galloo as Gold-level sponsor, reinforcing the company’s commitment to advancing metals and plastics circularity and supporting competitive, well-functioning markets for recycled materials in Europe. Galloo is one of the leading recycling companies for ferrous and non-ferrous metals and plastics in Western Europe. Thanks to […]

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Middle East conflict exposes double standards in EU ‘scrap’ trade debate as aluminium ingots & billets flow out of Europe

Brussels, 16 April 2026 – Recent disruptions in aluminium supply through the Strait of Hormuz have impacted the production and logistics of semi-finished aluminium products in countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC),including primary aluminium producers in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Oman. While Recycling Europe condemns any attacks on industrial infrastructure, these disruptions expose […]

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Joint reaction to the Environmental Omnibus: call to maintain Authorised Representatives’ obligation for EPR

Following the European Commission’s proposal for an Omnibus package targeting the simplification of administrative burdens in environmental legislation (Environmental Omnibus), a particular point has raised worries across European industry and civil society. The signatories of this joint statement hereby express their collective concerns about the proposed suspension of the mandatory appointment of an Authorised Representative […]

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Recycling Europe challenges claims linking ‘sliding scale’ to steel recycling benefits

Brussels, 7 April 2026 – With discussions ongoing in Brussels on how to define green steel, Recycling Europe emphasises the urgent need for an impartial and scientifically credible approach that rewards circularity and promotes the use of recycled metals in steel production. Such an approach cannot be based on methodologies that penalise the use of […]

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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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Free registration opens for new AMI Compounding & Recycling Expo in Frankfurt

BRISTOL, UK – 23 March 2026 – AMI has announced that online registration is now open for its Compounding & Recycling Expo, taking place on 23–24 September 2026 at Messe Frankfurt, Germany. The free-to-attend exhibition showcases the growing overlap between polymer compounding and recycling, bringing the full value chain together for two days of innovation, […]

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Belgian Scrap Terminal (BST) joins Recycling Europe as Silver Sponsor

Brussels, 23 March 2026 – Recycling Europe is pleased to welcome BST – Belgian Scrap Terminal as a Silver-level sponsor, reinforcing the company’s commitment to advancing metals circularity and supporting competitive, well-functioning markets for recycled materials in Europe. BST Group is a Belgium-based metal recycling company that collects, processes and trades ferrous and non-ferrous scrap, […]

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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 […]

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