Update of the Flemish material indicators until 2021

Circular materials story: The Flemish circular economy does not yet translate into a reduced material impact.

We are increasingly successful in keeping materials in the cycle. Our reuse and recycling figures are increasing, we are producing more and more new raw materials from waste and we are using them to replace more and more primary raw materials. The reuse and recycling sector is also growing in number of jobs. Employment in the 'circular sectors' is even increasing almost three times faster than the Flemish average.

But what has not yet been achieved is to reduce the total consumption of raw materials (direct and indirect) by our economy. On the contrary: as a result of the growing population and growing economic activity in Flanders, our economy requires more and more primary raw materials. There is therefore no decoupling between economic growth and materials footprint.