What do we see?
Between 2010 and 2022, the amount of consumer goods collected by reuse centres increased to 85.4 kilotonnes. The amount of goods sold through the recycling centres also increased over the same period, to 40 kilotonnes in 2022. For both figures, we see a dip in the COVID year 2020; the trends recovered after that. Over the years, the ratio of both figures is between 40 and 47%. Expressed per capita, reuse has increased to 6.0 kg per inhabitant.
What’s the aim?
In a circular economy, reuse is an essential strategy: it extends the life 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.
The target of 7 kg of reuse per inhabitant by 2022 from the Implementation Plan 2016-2022 was not met. The Local Materials Plan 2023-2030 sets a target for recycling centres to achieve 8 kg of reuse per inhabitant by 2030. However, the increasing turnover of reuse centres illustrates their success.
What does this indicator measure?
This indicator reflects reuse in Flanders through the approved 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. Figures for the product groups textiles, furniture and electrical and electronic appliances are also available.
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.
