Wertstoffe

Wertstoffe is a term used in waste management to denote materials that have economic value and can be recovered from waste streams for use as secondary raw materials. Typical Wertstoffe include metals (such as aluminium, steel, copper), paper and cardboard, glass, and certain plastics, as well as components from textiles and electronics when recovered through appropriate recycling streams. The concept emphasizes the material quality that allows reintroduction into production cycles rather than disposal as waste.

Collection and separation are central to Wertstoff management. In many waste systems Wertstoffe are collected separately from residual waste, for example through dedicated containers or bags for packaging materials, with additional streams for paper, glass, and organics. Sorting facilities then separate Wertstoffe into distinct material streams and remove contaminants to maintain the quality of recyclates. This sorting is crucial to enabling efficient recycling and avoiding downcycling.

Processing and use of Wertstoffe involve mechanical and chemical recycling steps. Metals are melted and refined, paper is pulped and reformed, glass is cleaned and remelted, and plastics are reprocessed into pellets for new products. The resulting secondary materials enter manufacturing supply chains, reducing the need for virgin resources and saving energy.

Policy and economic context: Wertstoffe are central to circular economy strategies at national, regional, and EU levels. Their recovery lowers resource extraction, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions, while supporting domestic recycling industries. Challenges include contamination, variable recycling technologies for some plastics, and fluctuating market demand for recyclates. Overall, Wertstoffe contribute to sustainable resource management by keeping valuable materials in use.