Make the denominator visible
Collection measures what returns from use. Recycling efficiency measures recovered output against the specified recycling input. Material recovery concerns a particular constituent. Recycled content concerns the materials in a new product.
The European Commission’s calculation and verification framework distinguishes battery recycling efficiency from recovery of individual materials. The distinction matters because a percentage measured for one cannot simply stand in for the others. Source: European Commission
Follow the tonnes
A hypothetical system with 100 tonnes of available lead, a 90% collection rate and 95% recovery of the collected lead returns 85.5 tonnes. If new production needs 120 tonnes, 34.5 tonnes must come from other supply or demand must fall.
These are illustrative assumptions, not reported industry rates. The circularity explorer lets you change them. Its purpose is to make the material balance visible, including what the model does not explain.
Sources
- New rules to boost recycling efficiency from waste batteriesEuropean Commission · 4 July 2025Public authority
Reviewed 29 September 2026. Commentary represents Element82’s interpretation.