The EU’s ongoing reliance on a linear 'extract-make-use-dispose' model is sustained by a disparity between primary and secondary materials. The EU generates millions of tonnes of waste annually, yet recycled material accounts for only 11.8% of the material throughput in the bloc’s economy. Vast amounts of potentially recoverable resources such as metals, plastics, and textiles are dumped in landfills or exported for disposal, with 21 million tonnes of scrap metal sent to non-EU countries in 2023 alone. As such, scaling up high-quality recycling systems and markets for secondary materials is essential to the EU’s climate and industrial ambitions. As the EU prepares to act upon its Clean Industrial Deal and roll out the Circular Economy Act, it must ensure that industry, waste operators, civil society, and the expert community are all actively engaged in shaping the future of EU’s transition towards creating a truly circular economy.

This Policy Dialogue will look at the state of play, challenges, and prospects for improving and scaling up recycling processes and uptake of secondary materials in the EU. It will explore how the EU's circular economy agenda can effectively support recycling and reduce reliance on primary raw materials.

Participation is restricted to EPC members, the media, and EU officials.