Circular economy country profile – Belgium

This circular economy profile on Belgium provides a comprehensive overview of the country’s strategies, actions, and targets to reduce resource consumption and boost reuse, repair, and recycling. Key points include:

• Regional frameworks:

  • Flanders: “Vision 2050”, the Circular Flanders platform, sectoral roadmaps (construction, plastics, bioeconomy, etc.), and the aim to reduce the material footprint by 30% by 2030.

  • Wallonia: Circular Wallonia strategy, centered around five main themes (production, consumption, stakeholder engagement, waste management, priority value chains) with an emphasis on strengthening economic and environmental resilience.

• Waste and resources management policies, featuring specific action plans (prevention, reuse, etc.) and quantitative targets (e.g. 100 kg residual waste per inhabitant, high recycling rates for various materials).

• Collaborative initiatives bringing together public authorities, industry, academia, and civil society (Green Deals, innovation platforms, calls for project proposals).

• The main barriers (complex regulatory framework, lack of knowledge or coordination, etc.) and potential solutions to address these hurdles (interregional/federal harmonization, R&D support, fiscal incentives, etc.).

• Future outlook through recovery plans at the regional level, new recycling operations (mattresses, textile, complex plastics), and expanding repair and reuse activities.