BDSV and VDM emphasise the importance of steel and metal recycling for the circular economy

As part of the presentation of the new ‘Circular Economy 2024’ status report, the Federal Association of German Steel Recycling and Waste Management Companies e.V. (BDSV) and the Association of German Metal Traders and Recyclers (VDM) have emphasised the outstanding role of the steel and metal recycling sector.

The steel and metal recycling sector is crucial to the circular economy. Not only does it ensure the efficient and resource-conserving recycling of steel and metal scrap, but it also acts as a reliable partner for industry. By using high-quality recycled material, it significantly reduces the demand for ores, thereby enabling more environmentally friendly production, the associations emphasise in their joint statement.

The BDSV’s contribution to the 2024 Circular Economy Status Report underlines the strategic importance of steel recycling for the German circular economy and sets out the environmental benefits of using recycled steel. The use of one metric tonne of steel scrap in steel production results in a saving of 1.67 metric tonnes of CO₂, whilst one metric tonne of stainless steel scrap saves as much as 6.7 metric tonnes of CO_₂.

In its status report, the VDM emphasises the importance of foreign trade for the metal recycling industry. To strengthen the sector, it is crucial that legislators and authorities understand the need for a global, rapid and flexible approach. Only in this way can all raw materials be efficiently returned to the cycle.

The associations would like to see the importance of steel and metal recycling reinforced as a central element of the circular economy within the German Sustainability Strategy or the National Circular Economy Strategy.