Limited volumes and largely stable prices for waste management services in many segments continue to define the German market for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) in early 2026. Higher proceeds from ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal sales are helping to largely offset lower revenues for other recovered materials, as well as recyclers' rising treatment costs.
At the same time, fierce competition for scarce e-waste intake volumes is preventing some recyclers from pushing through the price increases they are seeking. The significant adjustments to waste treatment fees that the market had originally expected to arrive in 2026 have therefore not materialised. Only the prices charged for recycling cooling appliances had increased noticeably in January.
Subscribers can access our full quarterly report on the WEEE recycling market in Germany including price charts for the four collection categories here:
