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Environmental information systems
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The indicator shows the share of material recovered and fed back into the economy – and thus saving extraction of primary raw materials – in overall material use.
The circular material use rate remained static between 2010 and 2018. From 2019 to 2022, an upward trend was observed. However, a year-on-year decrease of almost 1 percentage point was recorded between 2022 and 2023. The trend observed in Slovakia is considered insufficient to achieve the non-binding target of doubling the circular material use rate by 2030 compared with 2020. A significant acceleration is required to meet this target.
In the coming years, the circular material use rate is expected to improve. For instance, the mandatory separate collection of textile waste is scheduled to be introduced . In addition, statistics may reflect the fact that exemptions allowing residents in Slovakia’s two largest cities – Bratislava and Košice – to avoid the compulsory separation of biodegradable municipal waste expired on .
Overall, increasing the circular material use rate requires a combination of product design innovation, enhanced recycling systems, supportive policies, consumer engagement and a transformation of business models.
References and footnotes
- ↵Government of Slovakia, Act No 79/2015 on Waste, 17 March 2015, version effective from 1 January 2025, accessed 25 June 2025, https://www.slov-lex.sk/ezbierky/pravne-predpisy/SK/ZZ/2015/79/20250101.html.
- ↵Government of Slovakia, Act No 79/2015 on Waste, 17 March 2015, version effective from 1 January 2023, accessed 25 June 2025, https://www.slov-lex.sk/ezbierky/pravne-predpisy/SK/ZZ/2015/79/20230101.html.