11.8% of materials used from recycled products marks a new historical record, favouring the transition towards the circular economy in the EU, but it is not happening in all countries equally.
The share of materials used from recycled products in the European Union was 11.5% in 2022 and 11.8% in 2023. This increase is modest, but shows the growing importance of reuse on the European agenda. This continued increase reflects the success of European recycling policies and practices enacted to reduce reliance on virgin raw materials and, in turn, encourage second-life reuse of materials that enables more sustainable management of natural resources.
The 11.8% rate is the highest level recorded since data began to be collected almost 20 years ago, since 2004.
The ratio of recycled materials to total materials used is known as the circularity rate. This rate is a key measure for assessing progress towards a more sustainable, circular economy.
