Priority list of waste streams, evidence and methodology

This JRC Science for Policy report provides scientific evidence for establishing the list of products, components and waste streams, rich in critical raw materials and with significant recovery potential, that Member States need to at least consider when establishing their national programmes containing circularity measures. Article 26 of the Critical Raw Material Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1252) requires the establishment of a framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials for the EU. Additionally, Article 26 (7) on National measures on circularity of which the Commission shall adopt implementing acts listing products, components, and waste streams deemed to have significant critical raw material recovery potential. This list will support actions to i) promote waste prevention and the re-use/repair of critical raw material-rich items, and ii) improve collection, sorting, and processing of critical raw material -containing waste, including metal scraps, for efficient recycling. In developing the list, the Commission will consider Article 26 (7) sub-paragraphs a to e, such as, (a) the total recoverable critical raw material, (b) existing Union law coverage, (c) regulatory gaps, (d) challenges in collection and treatment, and (e) current systems for collection and treatment. The list of products, components and waste streams contains in particular: batteries, electrical and electronic equipment, wind turbines and related infrastructure, motor vehicles, light means of transport, energy infrastructure and telecommunication infrastructure, industrial pumps, industrial catalysts, digestate and compost from separately collected biowaste, slag, sludges and ashes, and construction and demolition waste (particularly focusing on aluminium and copper alloys and cables in buildings). This work also demonstrates that there is significant potential for improvement in recovery processes for strategic and critical raw materials for the analysed waste streams, such as for example Rare Earth Elements (REEs) in permanent magnets of wind turbines or aluminium parts in motor vehicles. The work provides also opportunities for implementing provisions at EU and Members States levels through national programmes due to the identified gaps in current waste management and recovery processes for critical raw materials. This work highlights the importance of implementing circular economy strategies across EU Member States. This report represents also a valuable source of knowledge for implementing measures using existing and upcoming legislative documents, such as the Battery Regulation and the End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation Proposal, as well as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive, that is under review.

LODATO Concetta;  BALDÉ Cornelis Peter;  BOBBA Silvia;  BÖCHER Catrin;  BOTTAUSCI Sara;  CRISTÓBAL-GARCÍA Jorge;  CUNHA Sónia;  DAS Deepjyoti;  EYNARD Umberto;  FORTI Vanessa;  HENRIKSSON Sonja;  IATTONI Giulia;  KIPPERT Katharina;  LJUNGGREN Maria;  MAISEL Franziska;  MOGOLLÓN José;  MONFORT-CLIMENT Daniel;  ORZA Vasco;  PHILIPPE Audrey;  ROTTER Vera Susanne;  SCHUBERT Maximilian;  TAZI Nacef;  TIPPNER Max;  VAN DEN ABEELE Liesbet;  VAN STEE Joren;  YAMAMOTO Tales;  MATHIEUX Fabrice; 

2026-05-19

Publications Office of the European Union

JRC142643

978-92-68-39088-7 (online),   

1831-9424 (online),   

EUR 40693,    OP KJ-01-26-165-EN-N (online),   

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC142643,   

10.2760/7816415 (online),