What do we see?
In 2020, 3,909 kt of sorted organic waste was collected. The majority of this was bio-organic waste, or OBA (41%). The weight of the organic residual waste is dependent on the season and in particular the weather conditions in a given year. We also see a clear increase in the collection of OBA and manure, whereas the other types remain the same.
What’s the aim?
In a circular economy, we try to limit the amount of waste as much as possible. The best way to avoid this residual waste is to get maximum use out of products and then, if residual waste cannot be avoided, by getting optimal value out of the waste. The waterfall model for value retention acts as a guideline for getting value out of organic residual waste from the food chain.
In a circular economy, sorted waste collection is a key element for converting waste into secondary raw materials. We anticipate that the new sorting requirements as per the VLAREMA directive will ensure that more sorted organic waste is collected over the coming years.
What does this indicator measure?
This indicator shows what happens when food waste ends up in the organic waste stream. Residual streams from, for example, food processing that are sent directly to valorisation processes are not included in these figures. Household food waste in Flanders is sorted for collection as part of GFT (vegetable, fruit and garden) waste, while organic waste from companies is collected as OBA. Both are then taken, together with the other organic types of waste, to composting and fermentation facilities. The data for this indicator was provided by Vlaco and OVAM.
