Door Redactie Online

& nbsp- 11/27/2021 om 08:00

In 2014, materials for consumption consisted of 15.9 percent of secondary raw materials. In 2016 it was 19 percent, and in 2018 the proportion rose to 20.7 percent. “This is good progress,” says Luke Aerts, director of the Center for Circular Economy. “But it is also important to look more broadly: How good are these secondary materials? The following steps are also necessary: ​​sharing products becomes important, selling their use as a service, etc. “

Recycling

Flanders is the most fortunate in Europe, especially in the area of ​​recycling. The waste flows themselves will also be reduced, albeit at the household level. In 2019, Fleming produced an average of 143.5 kg of residual waste, in 2013 it was still 158.6 kg. The Flemish government’s goal is to reach 100 kilograms by 2030. “This is a long way to go, it is important to maintain focus.”

Companies have been producing more waste since 2012, after a decline was recorded between 2007 and 2011. However, the increase is slowing. “There is still work to be done here as well.”

social economy

The observatory also provides some figures on the socio-economic level. For example, the Center for Policy Research calculated that 43,261 employees were employed in the circular economy in 2020. Looking at 2008, this represents an increase of 16.4 percent, while global employment in Flanders was an increase of 5.8 percent. The report says the difference between the two numbers is already big, but it should get bigger.

The Circular Economy Research Center, which unites researchers from different universities, reaches its conclusions by combining five years of research into an online research. Foreman. On the basis of more than 110 indicators, the extent to which Flanders has come in the sphere of the circular economy is examined. The indicators relate, for example, to consumer goods, mobility, food and housing. Each indicator provides detailed figures on the sustainability of a particular sector. Ayretz concludes that “the screen is the starting point for further policy options.”