Circular material use rate

The circular material use rate in Belgium showed a constant upward trend from 2010 onwards. It increased from 13.5% in 2010 to 22.9% in 2020 (see graph). This indicates that Belgium’s material use became more circular within this period. However, a relapse was noted around 2023, when the rate dropped to 19.7%.

During this period, overall domestic material consumption per capita remained rather constant, at around 13 t, except in 2020 and 2021 (the years most affected by COVID-19), when it dropped below 12 t. As the recycling rate did not decrease to the same extent as domestic material consumption, the circular material use rate was exceptionally high during those years.

In 2023, Belgium’s circular material use rate stayed well above the EU average of 11.8% and ranked as fourth highest in Europe. However, sustained efforts will be needed. While in the built environment system the recovery rate of construction and demolition waste increased to 99% in 2020, other sectors, like industry and agriculture, still need to fully integrate circular economy principles. The proper implementation of Belgium’s recovery and resilience plan, which supports the green transition through investments and reforms in areas such as the circular economy, may be crucial to achieving this goal.