UBA: Updated procurement guide for products made from recycled materials

According to the Umweltbundesamt (Federal Environment Agency, UBA), the guide to environmentally friendly public procurement for products made from recycled plastics has been comprehensively updated.
 
According to the UBA, the aim of the 28-page publication is to support public contracting authorities in promoting the circular economy by purchasing products containing post-consumer recycled materials. According to the information provided, the procurement guide for products made from recycled plastics contains the essential information and recommendations for public contracting authorities to incorporate environmental aspects into tender and contract documents. According to the UBA, these criteria are based on the Blue Angel eco-label for products made from recycled plastics (DE-UZ 30a), January 2024 edition. The guide reportedly applies to products consisting of more than 90 per cent by weight of plastic, of which at least 80 per cent by weight must come from post-consumer recycled material (PCR). It places particular emphasis on requirements for controlling potential contaminants that could enter the recycled materials from waste streams. Certain plastic streams that could pose environmental or health risks are excluded from the guidelines. For example, when tendering for film products such as bin liners, carrier bags, cover films and tarpaulins, the PCR material used to manufacture the products should, according to the guidelines, have undergone a washing process during the recycling process. In principle, the UBA recommends purchasing plastic products whose recycled content originates from mechanical recycling. According to the UBA, products containing chemically recycled material should not be purchased. The agency does not provide a reason for this.

 
Sources:

• UBA Aktuell 3/2026 (10.6.2026)
• UBA website
• Image: © UBA