This analysis shows that there is considerable potential in Germany to facilitate, stimulate, and ultimately increase the use of recycled materials through political regulation and incentivization. It provides recommendations for a successful policy mix to increase the use of recyclates.

In view of a strong waste management sector with good separate waste collection rates and high recycling rates of over 80 %, Germany is generally well positioned to increase the use of recyclates. So far, however, this potential has only been partially exploited. Against this background, Ecologic Institute, together with the Policy Assessment Research Group of the Freie Universität Berlin, identifies and describes barriers to the use of recyclates and policy instruments to overcome these barriers. Options for action are shown on the basis of selected practical examples.