Circular material use rate

Czechia has made notable progress in decoupling environmental pressures from economic activities during the past few decades. The circular material use rate (CMUR) (excluding secondary raw materials) has increased slightly over the long term (see graph). Both the long-term decrease in domestic material consumption and the long-term increase in material recycling and waste reuse have contributed to this increase. The CMUR varies significantly between groups of materials, exceeding 40% for metallic ores, only slightly exceeding 1% for fossil materials and reaching about 11% for biomass and 14% for non-metallic minerals. Despite no specific objectives regarding the CMUR having been set in policies, Czechia is taking positive steps in implementing reforms to accelerate the production and consumption of secondary raw materials and increase the recycling rate in the coming years. For example, an updated version of Czechia’s secondary raw materials policy is being prepared and so is the new waste legislative package, which establishes the recycling rate of individual methods for handling municipal waste (in 2035, 65% recycling and 25% energy use). Economic tools are also being implemented, such as increased landfill fees, plastic charges, deposit systems and the stronger harmonisation of extended producer responsibility schemes.