What do we see?
The amount of EEE goods collected for reuse by the recognised reuse centres between 2010 and 2022 shows a slow decrease, from around 20 kilotonnes in 2010 to 16.5 kilotonnes in 2022. However, the amount of EEE resold remained fairly stable over the years, with values around 2 kilotonnes. In 2022, sales amounted to 2.2 kilotonnes, corresponding to only 13% of the total amount of EEE collected by the recognised reuse centres. The reuse of EEE poses a challenge as these goods are easily damaged and there are requirements on quality and guaranteed life span when sold. There is also more scepticism around the lifespan and quality of these appliances.
What’s the aim?
In a circular economy, reuse is a key strategy: it extends the lifespan of products in which they remain functional for as long as possible. More reuse means avoiding products becoming waste prematurely. Moreover, they can ideally replace new products that would otherwise be bought. For EEE, reuse is more challenging: possible alternatives are repair, refurbishing and, when the damage is too great, recycling.
The Local Materials Plan 2023-2030 states as an objective that Flanders will monitor the reuse of a number of specific product groups (including EEE) throughout the plan period.
What does this indicator measure?
This indicator reflects the reuse of electrical and electronic appliances in Flanders through the recognised reuse centres, the official reuse network in Flanders. The figures are expressed in kilotonnes; reuse is also plotted against the number of inhabitants. The data for this indicator were provided by OVAM.
These figures underestimate real reuse because people turn to informal channels in addition to reuse centres. However, these channels are included in the calculation of total reuse in Flanders.
