Recycling organizations oppose the EU's restrictions on the export of scrap aluminum.
February 3, 2026
On Monday, February 2nd, a global recycling industry organization stated that the proposed restrictions by the European Commission on the export of scrap aluminum are unnecessary and could potentially undermine the circular economy.
The European Commission announced in November 2025 that it plans to restrict the export of waste aluminum in order to prevent a large amount of waste aluminum from flowing out of the EU, which would lead to a shortage of supply in the industry. This move was supported by the lobbying group European Aluminum Association.
In response to the (Aluminium) industry's appeal, the lobbying group urged policymakers to impose an export fee on this material.
However, the Brussels-based International Recycling Agency (BIR) stated that the above-mentioned export ban by the EU or any trade restrictions on scrap aluminium "are neither necessary nor effective".
"The EU has produced more waste aluminium than it can handle domestically," BIR stated in its feedback to the EU public consultation, which lasted until the end of January.
The report states that the existing data "do not prove that structural 'waste leakage' is a valid reason for intervention". Waste leakage refers to the loss of recyclable materials to foreign markets.
BIR stated that restricting exports would lead to an oversupply in the EU, depressing the price of scrap aluminum and putting recycling companies in an unsustainable economic position.
"This will ultimately reduce the collection and recovery rates, increase the risk of unmanaged waste flows, and undermine the circular economy."
The European Commission has stated that it will propose measures regarding waste aluminum before the second quarter of this year.
