What do we see?
The figure below shows the evolution of the share of primary industrial waste given a second life. We distinguish between waste without and with construction and demolition waste: its share is very high and its stony fraction is almost entirely recycled as granulate. This explains the difference between the two lines in the figure.
In 2020, 67% of primary industrial waste (excluding construction and demolition waste) was given a new life through composting, anaerobic digestion, reuse, material recycling or use as a secondary raw material.
The gradual increase in the amount of industrial waste getting a second life is partly due to the secondary raw materials that were not or less reported before 2012, but also to an actual increase in the amount of secondary raw materials due to economic growth. In recent years, the share of industrial waste that gets a second life after two processing steps remains stable around 68%, despite the COVID crisis. The COVID measures have therefore not had a substantial impact on the material recovery of industrial waste in Flanders.
What’s the aim?
In a circular economy, we want materials to be used for as long as possible and in the highest quality possible. By giving materials a second life, fewer materials need to be disposed of permanently. In a circular economy, we aim for an increasing share of waste going to material recovery, but at the same time it is also important to strive for the highest-quality possible next uses for materials.
What does this indicator measure?
This indicator is calculated on the basis of the total amount of primary industrial waste or on the basis of primary industrial waste excluding construction and demolition waste and shows the share of it that gets a second life after two processing steps (as pre-treatment, such as sorting, is often still needed).
