What do we see?
In 2018, the total amount of recycling in Flanders was measured for the first time. The total amount was 221 kilotonnes of goods, corresponding to 33.8 kg per inhabitant. By 2022, the total reuse indicator has increased to 35.5 kg per inhabitant or 238 kilotonnes of goods.
Receiving (17%) or buying (16%) goods from family or friends are the most popular reuse methods, followed by online second-hand sales (16%). The recognised reuse network came in fourth (15%).
What’s the aim?
As a strategy, reuse ranks high in the circular hierarchy: more reuse is therefore considered an indication of a more circular economy. However, it is worth watching out for rebound effects: consumers are in fact able to buy more stuff with the same budget and/or they buy additional stuff instead of products that merely replace the purchase of new products.
There are no formal targets around total reuse (via all reuse channels), but there are targets for reuse via the recognised reuse centres in Flanders. The Local Materials Plan 2023-2030 sets a target of 8 kg reuse per inhabitant by 2030.
