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EuRIC’s Textiles Branch has unveiled its “EU Recyclers’ Manifesto: Increasing textiles circularity by 2030”, outlining five key policy recommendations to achieve circularity in the textile sector by 2030. With each EU citizen generating approximately 16 kg of textile waste annually, yet only 4.4 kg being separately collected for reuse and recycling, urgent measures are needed to prevent textile waste from ending up in landfills or incinerators.

The European Commission’s Steel and Metals Action Plan is a gamble with Europe’s recycling future. Instead of first securing demand for recycled metals, it prioritises keeping “scrap” in Europe, for Europe, by restricting exports, ignoring the fundamental problem: part of Europe’s recycled metals (“scrap”) is exported because of weak domestic demand and limited processing capacity.

Member States must step up efforts to ensure the EU meets its packaging waste goals, says the NGO group Rethink Plastic alliance. A new report reveals how national and local governments can make the most of the opportunities provided by the EU’s new packaging rules.

Scaling up sustainable and biodegradable materials is crucial for the future advancement of European industry. Currently, many bio-based alternatives struggle to compete with established fossil-based chemicals due to challenges in environmental, economic, and societal performance. To overcome this, NEXT-STEP aims to develop recyclable products from wood production residues for everyday applications. New biochemical materials will be developed for shoe soles and insulation materials for construction.

The Advanced Recycling Conference (ARC) 2025 is setting the stage for innovation. Taking place on November 19-20 in Cologne, Germany, and online, ARC 2025 continues to be the benchmark for innovation in recycling. As the industry faces increasing pressure, ambitious EU targets and evolving market demands, ARC 2025 offers a vital platform for industry leaders, researchers, investors, and policymakers to explore practical solutions and visionary concepts.

The circular economy is a key component of a sustainable future. The technology transfer project “TechCirclePolymers” at the Institute for Circular Economy of Bio:Polymers (ibp) at Hof University of Applied Sciences addresses exactly this challenge. The project aims to improve the recycling of plastics and biopolymers, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and replacing fossil-based raw materials with natural alternatives. A particular focus is on increasing recyclability and extending the lifespan of products.

Today, the Commission takes action to maintain and expand European industrial capacities in the steel and metals sectors. The Action Plan on Steel and Metals is designed to strengthen the sector’s competitiveness and safeguard the industry’s future.

The British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) has today announced the launch of its Metals Recycling Fire Prevention Sector Specific Guidance.

In Zolling, Germany, a newly commissioned CDE wash plant is supporting J. Obermeier to process up to 150 tonnes per hour (tph) of quarried sand and gravel while facilitating the transition away from virgin materials as the second-generation family business sets out plans to give waste materials a second life.

A report published by Za Zamiata and Zero Waste Europe reveals the stark parallel realities in Bulgaria’s plastic packaging waste management, where official recycling statistics paint a misleadingly optimistic picture that clashes with on-the-ground failures.

Entrants were invited to submit a 60-90 second video demonstrating innovative ideas to promote recycling, sustainability, educational awareness or waste reduction in their community, school, or business.

Steel is the backbone of modern infrastructure, but its production is one of the most carbon-intensive industrial processes. As industries seek to cut emissions in line with global climate commitments, the push for ‘green steel’ has intensified. As Carl-Gustaf Göransson, CEO of Lindemann Metal Recycling, explains, at the heart of this transition lies a crucial, often overlooked, material – scrap metal.