Economically high-value recycling

This study, conducted by CE Delft and Rebel, is concerned with elaborating the economic concept of ‘high-value recycling’ and builds on an earlier study that focused on the so-called ‘Planet’ approach. The concept was elaborated in more detail and an economic indicator developed for use in a ‘policy formula’ to establish the relative merits of alternative recycling options (see report High-value recycling (in Dutch)). We examined two potential economic indicators for high-value recycling:

1. The market-value ratio of recyclate versus virgin materials.
2. The cost-efficiency ratio, indicating the extent to which using recyclate rather than virgin material is economically efficient.

The main conclusion is that the cost-efficiency ratio can serve as a welcome addition to the ‘policy formula’ cited above.

Further information on this project and follow-up activities can be found (in Dutch) on the website of the Directorate-General of Public Works and Water Management, Rijswaterstaat.