1.1. Contact organisation
Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union
1.2. Contact organisation unit
E2: Environmental statistics and accounts; sustainable development
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
2920 Luxembourg LUXEMBOURG
e-mail contact: ESTAT-CIRCULAR-ECONOMY@ec.europa.eu
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
11 April 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
11 April 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
11 April 2025
The indicator is part of the Circular Economy monitoring framework. It is used to monitor progress towards a circular economy on the thematic area of 'secondary raw materials'.
In a circular economy, residual materials are recycled and re-injected into the economy as new raw materials - then called 'secondary raw materials'. This may have several benefits, both reducing wastes and increasing the security of raw materials supply. An accurate picture of the European raw materials sector must include the movements of raw materials originating from waste, i.e. secondary raw materials, crossing European boundaries both as imports and exports, as well as of intra-EU trade.
The indicator measures the quantities recyclable waste and scrap as well as other secondary raw materials (by-products) that are shipped between the EU Members States (intra-EU) and across the EU borders (extra-EU).
Many non-hazardous waste streams are regarded as valuable resources because they are potentially an important source of raw materials. Overall, cross-border movements of recyclable waste have significantly increased over the last decade.
This indicator is clearly relevant for obtaining a picture of trends in the markets for selected secondary raw materials, at both national and EU levels.
4.1. Data description
The indicator measures the quantities recyclable waste and scrap as well as other secondary raw materials (by-products) that are shipped between the EU Members States (intra-EU) and across the EU borders (extra-EU).
The indicator includes the following variables:
- Intra EU trade of selected recyclable raw materials (measured as the Imports from EU countries).
- Imports from non-EU countries and exports to non-EU countries of selected recyclable raw materials (as regards extra-EU trade).
Data are disaggregated by EU-Member State and by category of material, following the table of correspondence between products (CN-codes) and materials.
This data set is taken from International Trade in Goods Statistics (ITGS) published by Eurostat. The data measure the physical quantity of goods traded between the EU Member States (intra-EU trade) and of goods traded by the EU Member States with non-EU countries (extra-EU trade). ‘European’ means that the statistics are compiled on the basis of the concepts and definitions set out in EU legislation. ‘National’ statistics, i.e. statistics published at national level by the Member States, are compiled on the basis of national rules which may differ from EU rules.
Product coverage:
The scope of the “recyclable raw material” is defined and approximated in terms of relevant product codes selected from the list of Combined Nomenclature codes used in International Trade in Goods Statistics.
This indicator includes the following selected types of material:
- Plastics, including rubber
- Paper and cardboard
- Metal - ferrous
- Precious metal
- Copper, aluminium and nickel
The total includes the complete list of products, not only the selected materials showed in the table.
4.2. Unit of measure
Trade value in thousand euro.
Trade quantity in tonne (net mass).
4.3. Reference Period
Calendar year.
4.4. Accuracy - overall
The indicator is produced according to the high-level quality standards of European Statistics. Details on accuracy can be found in the metadata of the source datasets (see link in "Related metadata").
4.5. Source data
4.5.1. Source data - Organisation
ESS
4.5.2. Source data - Comment
Data source: European Statistical System (ESS)
Data provider: Statistical Office of the European Union (Eurostat). International trade in goods statistics (comext).
Trade in recyclable raw materials by partner (env_trdrrm).
5.1. Frequency of dissemination
5.1.1. Frequency of dissemination - Grade
Every year5.1.2. Frequency of dissemination - Comment
Indicator is updated annually.
5.2. Timeliness
5.2.1. Timeliness - Grade
T+1 year5.2.2. Timeliness - Comment
New data points are disseminated within one year after the reference year.
6.1. Reference area
6.1.1. Reference Area - Grade
All EU MS6.1.2. Reference Area - Comment
Data are presented for all EU Member States.
The EU aggregate is also available.
6.2. Comparability - geographical
6.2.1. Comparability - geographical - Grade
All EU MS6.2.2. Comparability - geographical - Comment
Data are comparable between all EU Member States.
6.3. Coverage - Time
6.3.1. Time Coverage - Grade
> 10 years6.3.2. Time Coverage - Comment
Presented time series starts in 2004.
6.4. Comparability - over time
6.4.1. Comparability - over time - Grade
> 4 data points6.4.2. Comparability - over time - Comment
Length of comparable time series without methodological break is longer than 4 data points.
7.1. Dissemination format - Publications
Analysis of indicator is presented in Commission Staff Working Document.
Eurostat, Statistics Explained: International trade statistics - background.
Eurostat, Statistics Explained: International trade in goods.
7.2. Dissemination format - online database
See table cei_srm020
7.3. Dissemination format - other
Eurostat dedicated section on Circular Economy.
Eurostat dedicated section on International trade in goods.
DG ENV, EU Circular Economy Action Plan.
Copyrights:
Eurostat Copyright/Licence Policy is applicable.
