Over the last decades, the European recycling industries have drastically evolved by modernizing and constantly innovating to turn more waste streams into new resources. By doing so, the sector has contributed to the development of new technologies and automated equipment made in Europe and exported around the globe. The European regulatory framework has accompanied these changes thanks to ambitious targets and a meaningful waste hierarchy. However, the recycling sector continues to be subject to a complex and ever-growing EU regulatory framework, which affects its activities. To ensure a competitive European recycling sector, which is part of a global industry, EuRIC advocates clear, effective and smart European policies which:

• Incentivise recycling across the value chains;
• Minimise regulatory burdens on recyclers, in particular on SMEs;
• Guarantee an open and fair competition within Europe and with the world to foster a genuine internal recycling market.

EuRIC also advocates positive measures to ensure a consistent implementation of existing legislation across Europe.