5 trumps to make the shift to a circular economy
1. Industrial strength
Flanders boasts leading sectors such as a strongly-anchored construction and manufacturing industries, and world players in agri-food, chemicals, plastics and biotech. Add to that a well-developed social economy, a smart water sector and a pioneering recycling industry.
2. Logistics hub
With 72% of our product and materials flows circulating internationally, Flanders is a logistics hub. Its central location, extensive logistics networks, ports and short distances within the country make Flanders the ideal location to improve material cycles.
3. Social support
A strong civil society and civic initiatives are actively working toward the circular economy. Their involvement is essential to a successful transition.
4. Knowledge concentration
Flanders boasts a lot of brainpower per square metre: five universities, a raft of leading knowledge institutions and renowned companies that have set up their international or European research centres in our region. Together, they produce technological and social innovation that provides solutions to circular issues.
5. Policy support
The Flemish, Belgian and European governments make substantial investments in innovation and are going all-in on the circular economy - a springboard and framework for circular doers. The strategic lever 'policy instruments' works toward a supporting and enabling policy environment.
How circular is Flanders?
With a circularity rate of 21% - the proportion of recycled and reused materials in our economy - Flanders scores highly in Europe. By way of comparison, the EU average is 12.8% (2020).
Bear in mind that this figure does not tell the full story. The Flemish CE Monitor uses more than 100 indicators to paint a nuanced picture. Some key insights:
- Flanders has intensive need for materials; but 72% of these are exported after processing.
- Unfortunately, the overall material footprint is still growing. By 2030, we are aiming for a 30% reduction compared to 2010.
- Household waste is decreasing while household budgets have remained the same.
- Companies are being more economical with raw materials: waste production is rising at a slower rate than economic growth.
- The past few decades have seen a strong focus on separate collection of waste and the development of a recycling industry: 67% of household waste and 68% of industrial waste are given a second life.
But this isn't the whole story: we need to strive for more high-end recycling, while committing to circular strategies. From extending useful life and reuse to circular business models and ecodesign.
What does Circular Flanders do?
Realising the circular economy is everyone's business. That is why Circular Flanders brings together partners from the knowledge community, the financial sector, business, governments and civil society (social profit). Flemish Minister of Environment Jo Brouns and Flemish Minister of Economy and Innovation Matthias Diependaele are steering this transition.
In addition to the partnership of governments and businesses, civil society and the knowledge community, we are also a broad movement of citizens. A multidisciplinary team, embedded within OVAM, supports the Circular Flanders partnership. We strive to achieve connection and active support, so that everyone is on board.
Our approach, which relies to a significant extent on partnerships, is unique in Europe. In recent years, we have made great strides and significant gains in the transition to a circular economy.
Learn more about Circular Flanders here.
The circular transition is too big a project to put in the in-tray of one team or organisation. We need many hands and many different types of expertise. As such, we focus on six thematic strategic agendas that in turn are supported by seven strategic levers.
Working agendas
Working agendas are collaborative efforts that address the circular economy in six themes. For each theme, the partners draw up a flexible plan that includes ambitions, work paths and actions. The working agendas are guided by a public and private leader, supported by a core group.
Strategic levers
Levers are 'accelerators' that move work agendas forward. They address shared challenges and opportunities through one central approach. They are guided by leaders (government and private) with support from a core group. The partners come from different backgrounds, ranging from society and businesses to investors and government.
