What do we see?
For furniture, collection and sales figures are higher than for other goods such as textiles and EEE. The quantity of furniture collected rose continuously until 2019, when almost 24 kilotonnes were collected. After a dip in COVID year 2020, the quantity increased again, but the 2019 level has not been reached yet. In 2022, 21.9 kt of furniture were collected. For the quantity of goods sold, we see a similar trend, and here the quantities returned to the level of before after 2020. In 2019, the quantity sold was 15.2 kt, which is 69% of the quantity collected.
What’s the aim?
In a circular economy, reuse is a key 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 Local Materials Plan 2023-2030 states as an objective that Flanders will follow up the reuse of a number of specific product groups (including furniture) throughout the plan period.
What does this indicator measure?
This indicator shows the reuse of furniture 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 the total reuse in Flanders.
