COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Measuring progress towards circular economy in the European Union – Key indicators for a revised monitoring framework Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS on a revised monitoring framework for the circular economy
Date: 2023-05-15
Institutions: Directorate-General for Environment, European Commission
Subjects: EU action, carbon neutrality, circular economy, competitiveness, consumption, ecological footprint, innovation, raw material, sustainable development, waste recycling

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 15.5.2023  SWD(2023) 306 final  COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Measuring progress towards circular economy in the European Union – Key indicators for a revised monitoring framework Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS  on a revised monitoring framework for the circular economy        {COM(2023) 306 final}  
 
 
Table of Contents 

Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 3 

  Material flows in the circular economy .............................................................................. 6 

  Contribution of the circular economy to climate neutrality ............................................. 12 

Indicators .......................................................................................................................... 15 

4.1.  Structure of the framework ........................................................................................ 15 

Production and consumption ............................................................................................ 15 

Waste management .......................................................................................................... 15 

Secondary raw materials .................................................................................................. 16 

Competitiveness and innovation ...................................................................................... 16 

Global sustainability and resilience .................................................................................. 16 

4.2.  Selection criteria ........................................................................................................ 17 

4.3.  Results of the stakeholders consultations .................................................................. 18 

4.4.  Dissemination of the monitoring framework ............................................................. 20 

  Description of the indicators and trends observed ........................................................... 21 

5.1.  Material Consumption ............................................................................................... 21 

Material Footprint ............................................................................................................ 21 

Resource productivity ...................................................................................................... 24 

5.2.  Green Public Procurement ......................................................................................... 26 

5.3.  Waste generation ....................................................................................................... 28 

Total waste generation per capita ..................................................................................... 28 

Total waste generation (excluding major mineral waste) per GDP ................................. 31 

Generation of municipal waste per capita ........................................................................ 34 

Food waste ........................................................................................................................ 38 

Generation of packaging waste per capita ........................................................................ 41 

Generation of plastic packaging waste per capita ............................................................ 44 

5.4.  Overall recycling rates ............................................................................................... 46 

Recycling rate of municipal waste ................................................................................... 46 

Recycling rate of all waste excluding major mineral waste ............................................. 48 

5.5.  Recycling rates for specific waste streams ................................................................ 50 

Recycling rate of overall packaging waste ....................................................................... 50 

Recycling rate of plastic packaging waste ....................................................................... 53 

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Recycling rate of WEEE separately collected .................................................................. 56 

5.6.  Contribution of recycled materials to raw material demand ..................................... 59 

Circular material use rate ................................................................................................. 59 

End-of-life recycling input rates ...................................................................................... 63 

5.7.  Trade in recyclable raw materials .............................................................................. 67 

5.8.  Private investment, jobs and gross value added related to circular economy sectors 71 

a) 

b) 

c) 

Private Investments ................................................................................................ 71 

Employment ........................................................................................................... 72 

Gross value added .................................................................................................. 73 

5.9. 

Innovation .................................................................................................................. 77 

Patents related to waste management and recycling ........................................................ 77 

5.10.  Global sustainability from circular economy ......................................................... 80 

a) 

b) 

Consumption Footprint .......................................................................................... 80 

Greenhouse gas emissions from production activities ........................................... 84 

5.11. 

Resilience from circular economy ......................................................................... 87 

a)  Material import dependency .................................................................................. 87 

b) 

EU self sufficiency for raw materials .................................................................... 89 

  Annexes ............................................................................................................................ 92 

Annex 1 - Member States acronyms .................................................................................... 92 

Annex 2 - List of goods and services for the indicator ‘private investment, jobs and gross 
value added related to circular-economy sectors ................................................................. 93 

Annex 3 - List of CPC codes for the indicator ‘Number of patents related to waste 
management and recycling ................................................................................................. 109 

Annex 4. Key characteristics of circular economy monitoring indicators ......................... 110 

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 Introduction 

In  the  EU’s  2020  circular-economy  action  plan1,  the  Commission  announced  that  it  would 
update  the  existing  monitoring  framework  for  the  circular  economy2.  This  monitoring 
framework was developed after the 2015 EU action plan3.  

The  framework  has  attracted  significant  interest  from  stakeholders  and  has  become  a 
reference  for  other  initiatives  on  circular-economy  monitoring  (e.g.  building  guidelines  for 
circular-economy  indicators  for  European  cities4  and  setting  circularity  criteria  for  regional 
projects5).  Other  initiatives  exist  on:  (i)  monitoring  circularity  in  business6;  (ii)  monitoring 
progress in the circular economy at national level7 and globally8; and (iii) setting principles to 
monitor the circular economy9. 

The  other  EU  institutions  have  welcomed  the  monitoring  framework  (see  Box  1),  while 
calling for greater focus on the production side rather than focusing on waste. They consider 
using  ‘material  footprint’  (which  considers  the  materials  embedded  in  imports)  and 
‘consumption  footprint10’  based  on  lifecycle  assessment  (LCA)  is  essential  to  address  the 
overall impacts of consumption in the EU.  

Box 1. EU debate on monitoring the circular economy11 

The EU institutions all expressed opinions on the EU monitoring framework in 2018. 

-  The Council adopted conclusions12 on the circular-economy package in June 2018. 
-  The  European  Parliament  Environment  Committee13  adopted  a  draft  motion  for  a  resolution  in 

September 2018.  

-  The European Economic and Social Committee adopted an opinion14 in July 2018. 

1 COM/2020/98 ‘A new Circular economy action plan for a cleaner and more competitive Europe’. 
2 COM(2018) 29 final and SWD(2018) 17 
3 COM/2015/0614 final ‘Closing the loop – an EU action plan for the circular economy’. 
4 Specific action in the EU Urban Agenda Partnership on Circular Economy: 
https://ec.europa.eu/futurium/en/circular-
economy/terms/all/City%20Indicators%20for%20a%20circular%20economy.  
5  Horizon  2020  SCREEN  (Synergic  CirculaR  Economy  across  European  regioNs)  project:  http://www.screen-
lab.eu/documents/assessment-criteria-table-Rev3.pdf. 
6 https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/resources/apply/circulytics-measuring-circularity.  
7 For instance in the Netherlands, France, Italy, Sweden, Belgium. National sets of indicators use national data, 
which are not always available for the EU countries. 
8 Circularity gap report 2023. 
9 Bellagio principles declaration from the EEA and Italy’s ISPRA. 
10  https://eplca.jrc.ec.europa.eu/ConsumptionFootprintPlatform.html  
11 The box includes an overview of the opinions from other EU institutions and links to official documents. 
12 https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-10447-2018-INIT/en/pdf.  
13 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2014_2019/plmrep/COMMITTEES/ENVI/RE/2018/09-
13/1155453EN.pdf , reference B8-0000/2018. 

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Following the Commission’s adoption of the circular-economy action plan in 2020, EU institutions expressed 
opinions on how to better monitor the transition to a circular economy, in anticipation of the upcoming revision 
of the monitoring framework. The four bullet points below list these opinions.  

- 

In December, 2020,  the Council adopted conclusions in its document ‘Making the Recovery Circular 
and Green’15, which included a section on monitoring progress towards circularity. 

-  The European Parliament adopted an own-initiative report on the new circular-economy action plan16 

in February 2021. 

-  The  European  Economic  and  Social  Committee  adopted  an  opinion  on  the  new  circular-economy 

action plan17 in July 2020. 

-  The  Committee  of  the  Regions  adopted  an  opinion  on  the  new  circular-economy  action  plan18, 

including a specific section on targets and monitoring, in October 2020. 

The  update  of  the  monitoring  framework  takes  account  of  both  the  focus  areas  in  the  2020 
action plan and the interlinkages between circularity, climate neutrality and the zero-pollution 
ambition.19, for a healthier, socialy fairer Europe and planet. The 2020 EU action plan calls 
for:  (i)  the  further  development  of  indicators  on  resource  use,  including  consumption  and 
material  footprints;  and  (ii)  linking  these  indicators  together  to  monitor  and  assess  both 
progress  towards  decoupling  economic  growth  from  resource  use  and  the  impacts  of  this 
progress  in  the  EU  and  beyond.  Together  with  bioeconomy  and  nature-based  solutions, 
circular  economy  is  a  key  component  of  the  transformative  change  necessary  to  drive 
European  and  global  societies  towards  a  nature  positive  economy,  at  a  time  half  of  total 
greenhouse gas emissions and more than 90% of biodiversity loss and water stress come from 
resource extraction and processing20. 

This  document  lays  out  the  methodology  used  for  the  indicators,  and  includes  an  analytical 
description for each of them. To assist in creating the updated methodology, the Commission 
consulted  the  Member  States  and  stakeholders,  and  a  summary  of  these  consultations  is 
included  in  this  document.  Section  4  of  this  document  provides  the  key  metadata  (data 
sources, the use of the data in Commission documents, and web links) for each indicator.  

14 Full text: https://www.eesc.europa.eu/en/our-work/opinions-information-reports/opinions/monitoring-
framework-circular-economy-communication . Adopted on 11/07/2018 - Bureau decision date: 19/09/2017; 
Reference: NAT/722-EESC-2018-00464. 
15 Council conclusions ‘Making the Recovery Circular and Green’: 
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/47583/st_13852_2020_init_en-1.pdf.  
16 European Parliament resolution of 10 February 2021 on the new circular-economy action plan 
(2020/2077(INI)) https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2021-0040_EN.html.  
17 https://www.eesc.europa.eu/en/our-work/opinions-information-reports/opinions/new-circular-economy-action-
plan. 
18 https://webapi2016.cor.europa.eu/v1/documents/cor-2020-01265-00-01-pac-tra-en.docx/content.  
19 COM/2021/400 final 'Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil' 
20 ‘Global Resources Outlook’, United Nations Environment Programme, International Resource Panel  

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The  underlying  data  populating  the  various  indicators  provide  a  snapshot  of  what  we  know 
today21. To ensure regular reporting on  the circular economy, Eurostat regularly updates the 
monitoring framework for the circular economy on its website22. 

The  Commission  continues  to  improve  both  the  knowledge  base  and  data  availability  for 
measuring progress in the circular economy. Some of these improvements are set out in the 
bullet points below. 

  Following the 2018 amendment of the Waste Framework Directive by the Council and 
the  European  Parliament,  there  is  now  more  reliable  and  comparable  information 
on waste, including food waste and electrical and electronic equipment waste. 

  There  are  now:  (i)  improved  European  statistics  on  material  footprints;  (ii) 
PRODCOM statistics on secondary raw materials; and (iii) statistics on the number of 
jobs in the circular-economy sector. The Joint Research Centre produces estimates of 
consumption footprints. 

  Work is ongoing to collect data for the indicators on green public procurement with a 
view  to  publishing  this  data  in  the  coming  years.  Through  Horizon  Europe,  the 
Commission  is  funding  several  research  projects  that  will  deliver  better  data  to 
complement  the  official  statistics,  in  particular  via  the  EU’s  Raw-Materials 
Information System23. 

21 The data used in this Staff Working Document are those available on 3 February 2023. 
22 http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/circular-economy. 
23 http://rmis.jrc.ec.europa.eu/. 

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 Material flows in the circular economy 

The  circular-economy  paradigm  takes  a  comprehensive  and  multi-faceted  approach.  One  of 
the  main  aspects  of  this  comprehensive  approach  is  a  focus  on  flows  of  materials.  One 
effective  illustration  of  material  flows  at  macro  level  is  a  so-called  Sankey  diagram,  which 
provides a representation of how many materials (coming from imports and ‘extractions’ such 
as  mining  or  agriculture)  flow  into  the  economy,  are  used,  and  then  become  waste  or  are 
reused (recycling and backfilling24).  

Eurostat  publishes  an  interactive  version  of  the  following  Sankey  diagram  alongside  the 
monitoring framework for the circular economy. 

Figure 2.1. Sankey diagram on material flows, EU, 2021 (billion tonnes per year) 

Source: Eurostat  

24 ‘backfilling’ is whenever suitable non-hazardous waste is used for purposes of reclamation in excavated areas 
or for engineering purposes in landscaping.  

6 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
 
 
The overview of material  flows  in  the EU (Figure 1) shows that on  the  input-side (the left-
hand  side  of  the  diagram)  8.1  billion  tonnes  of  raw  materials  were  processed  in  2021,  of 
which: 1.6 billion tonnes (i.e. around 20% of the total) were imported, which shows the EU’s 
dependency on imports of materials. Imports include not only raw materials and manufactured 
goods but also waste imported for treatment in Member States (e.g. conversion into secondary 
raw material). 

The middle part of the Sankey diagram (‘processed material’) represents processed materials, 
which are defined as the sum total of direct material inputs and secondary material input, i.e. 
materials obtained from recycling and backfilling. Processed materials can either be exported 
or used domestically. 

The  size  of  the  green  loop  in  the  ‘processed  materials’  node  is  a  possible  metric  of  the 
economy’s circularity. It represents the share of waste materials recovered from recycling out 
of  all  materials  processed.  Backfilling  is  another  category  of  recovery  different  from 
recycling. 

Materials  and  products  may  have  a  short  or  long  lifecycle.  For  example,  materials  and 
products can be: 

  single use (e.g. food); 
  used for less than 1 year (e.g. paper); 
 
long-life products (e.g. furniture); 
  assets (e.g. buildings, machinery). 

In  particular,  large  amounts  of  construction  minerals  (steel,  cement,  sand,  gravel,  etc.)  are 
used to maintain stocks of assets, such as buildings and infrastructure. These stocks often stay 
in use for decades and only become available for recycling after they reach the end of their 
lifecycles.  The  materials  in  those  assets  accumulate  as  the  economy  grows.  Each  year, 
materials  are  added  to  the  economy’s  stock  (i.e.  gross  additions  to  stock)  and  some  old 
materials  are  removed  as  buildings  are  demolished  and  durable  goods  disposed  of  (i.e. 
removals).  In  2021,  the  EU’s  net  material  accumulation  amounted  to  3.0  billion  tonnes.  As 
long as the demand for raw materials for in-use stocks with long lifetimes (e.g. buildings and 
infrastructure) exceeds the amount of materials that can be supplied from recycled materials, 
primary extraction will remain necessary. 

The  output-side  of  the  Sankey  diagram  (the  right-hand  side)  presents  outputs  of  materials 
from the economy, namely: 

  exports of products; 
  emissions to air, soil and water – flows of solid, liquid and gaseous materials that are 
discharged  into  water  bodies  (rivers,  seas,  etc.)  or  emitted  into  the  atmosphere  or 
buried in soil; 

  dissipative flows – materials which are dispersed into the environment as a deliberate 
or  unavoidable  consequence  of  product  use  with  current  technology  (for  example, 
mineral  fertilisers  and  pesticides,   and  abrasion  from  vehicles’  tyres,  plastic  mulches 
from agriculture, sewage sludge.). 

7 

 
 
Several flows come out via the ‘waste treatment’ node. Three of these flows are set out in the 
bullet points below. 

  Waste incineration: waste is incinerated to recover energy. However, this process also 

produces greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions. 

  Landfilled  waste:  the  disposal  of  waste,  including  by  landfill  and  other  disposal 
operations such as releasing into releaseing into water bodies or oceans, deep injection 
or permanent storage25. 

  Waste recovery: operations involving waste materials being reprocessed into products, 
materials  or  substances  to  be  reused  –  either  for  their  original  purpose  or  other 
purposes. This includes recycling and backfilling operations. 

Most of the materials used are converted into emissions to air, including greenhouse gases and 
air  pollutants  (2.5  billion  tonnes  in  the  EU  in  2021)  or  waste  (1.8  billion  tonnes).  Only  0.8 
billion tonnes of materials originate from recycling and are used as secondary raw materials. 
In  addition,  0.3  billion  tonnes  are  used  for  ‘backfilling’.  These  1.1  billion  tonnes  of  raw 
materials (from recycling and backfilling) represent about half of the 1.8 billion tonnes of raw 
materials that are contained in products that have reached their end-of-life. The remaining 0.8 
billion tonnes is waste that does not re-enter the economy.  

The waste produced by the use of materials, including the materials removed from stocks of 
assets at  end-of-life  (demolition  and  discards) accounted  for 1.8 billion tonnes  in  the EU  in 
2021. Part of this waste remains in the EU economy through recycling (0.8 billion tonnes) and 
through  backfilling  (0.3  billion  tonnes).  The  recycling  stream  now  captures  43%  of  all 
material waste flows, whereas backfilling accounts for 15%, and landfilled waste accounts for 
36%. Some of the waste is incinerated and a fraction of it (0.1 billion tonnes) is released into 
the  environment,  together  with  other  emissions,  such  as  emissions  to  air  (greenhouse  gases 
and air pollutants, 2.5 billion tonnes) and emissions to water (0.01 billion tonnes). The outputs 
in  Figure  2.1  also  include  exports  (0.7  billion  tonnes)  and  dissipative  flows  (0.2  billion 
tonnes). 

There is potential to improve the circularity of material flows, in particular by increasing 
the  share  of  recycled  materials,  by  extending  lifetime  of  products    and  by  decreasing  the 
amount of waste generated as well as the demand for raw materials. 

It is also relevant to distinguish the material flows according to whether they are comprised of 
biomass, non-metallic minerals, fossil-energy carriers and metal ores (Figure 2.2). Less than 
20%  of  the  processed  biomass    is  used  for  material  purposes,  whereas  the  rest  is  used  for 

25 Annex II, Section 8(2) of Waste statistics based on Regulation (EC) No 2150/2002 of the European Parliament 
and of the Council 

8 

 
 
                                                 
 
 
energetic purposes such as food, animal feed and agro-fuels. Over 40% of biotic materials that 
become waste are fed back into the economy through recycling. 

Most  of  the  3.3  billion  tonnes  of  non-metallic  minerals)  that  are  used  in  the  EU  originate 
from  domestic  extraction.  The rest  comes from  secondary  materials  recovered  and fed back 
into the economy. 2.7 billion tonnes of non-metallic minerals are used to build up so-called 
societal stocks such as buildings and infrastructure.  

Over  5%  of  the  processed  fossil-energy  carriers  )  are  used  as  plastics,  oils,  tyres  or  for 
chemical purposes. Almost half of these materials are recovered when they reach their end-of-
life, either through recycling or backfilling. 

Metal ores ) represent a minor fraction of the EU’s material consumption in terms of mass, 
although they are of high value and strategic importance to the economy.  Less than 20% of 
the metals that are processed in the EU originate from recycling.  

9 

 
 
 
 
 
Figure 2.2. Material flows in the EU economy by material category (2021) 

Biomass 

Non-metallic minerals 

Fossil energy materials/carriers 

10 

 
 
 
 
Metal ores 

Source: Eurostat  

These  Sankey  diagrams  of  material  flows  provide  an  overall  picture  of  how  circular  the 
economy  is  in  a  given  year.  A  set  of  meaningful  indicators  is  needed  to  monitor  progress 
made over time in the different areas of the EU’s circular-economy action plan.  

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Contribution of the circular economy to climate 
neutrality 

The  circular  economy  and  climate  change  mitigation  are  strongly  interlinked.  The  current 
economic model is close to linear, often described by extraction, production, use and disposal. 
A circular economy, in turn, maintains the value of products, materials and other resources for 
as  long  as  possible26.  It  enhances  their  efficient  use  in  production  and  consumption  and 
applies the waste hierarchy, thereby reducing the impact of economic activity on the climate 
and  environment.  In  other  words,  it  is  a  regenerative  growth  model  that  keeps  its  resource 
consumption within planetary boundaries27. 

As described in  the  EU  Long Term Strategy (LTS)28, the circular economy presents  a  great 
potential  for  greenhouse  gas  (GHG)  emissions  reduction,  especially  in  the  primary  and 
secondary sectors. Intervening at different stages of the supply chain, circularity can improve 
the  material  and  energy  efficiency  of  the  industrial  processes,  thereby  reducing  their  GHG 
emissions and other negative environmental impacts. Improved product designs (for instance 
by  extending  their  lifetime  and  embedding  circularity  from  the  design  phase)  and  enhanced 
waste  management  (for  instance  by  increasing  recycling  rates)  allow  materials  to  remain 
longer  in  the  economic  cycle  and  reduce  the  need  for  primary  raw  materials.  Starting  from 
recycled and uncontaminated material feedstock instead of primary raw materials reduces the 
number of processing steps and energy needs, thereby decreasing GHG emissions. 

Moreover, circular economy actions also help increasing the energy- and carbon-efficiency of 
industrial  processes.  Industry  accounts  for  about  25%  of  EU  final  energy  demand,  which  is 
mainly  due  to  key  energy-intensive  industries.  Processing  recycled  materials  is  less  energy- 
and carbon-intensive than processing raw materials, leading to a reduction of the final energy 
demand in this sector, and, thus, GHG emissions. 

The  literature  shows  that  ambitious  demand  side  measures  in  the  form  of  materials 
recirculation, increased material and energy efficiency as well as circular business models can 
reduce  GHG  emissions  significantly  in  heavy  industry  by  up  to  60%  in  2050  compared  to 
199029. 

26 Regulation (EU) 2020/852 

27 COM(2020) 98 final 

28  https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/strategies/2050_en   
29 Material Economics AB (2018), The Circular Economy. 

12 

 
 
                                                 
 
 
The  circular  economy  delivers  on  additional  co-benefits  linked  to  the  transition  towards 
climate neutrality30. Reduced energy and material demands lower the need for importing raw 
materials  and  fuels,  thus  decreasing  the  European  economy’s  dependence  on  imports  and 
improving the EU’s strategic autonomy. It also creates jobs in proximity to the products that 
need to be maintained, refurbished or shared31. 

Considering  all  the  above  stated  benefits  and  potentials,  the  European  Commission  adopted 
the  new  Circular  Economy  Action  Plan  in  March  202032.  It  highlights,  among  others, 
circularity as a prerequisite for climate neutrality and announces that the Commission will: 

  analyse how the impact of circularity on climate change mitigation and adaptation can 

be measured in a systematic way; 

 

improve modelling tools to capture the benefits of the circular economy on greenhouse 
gas emission reduction at EU and national levels; 

  promote strengthening the role of circularity in future revisions of the National Energy 

and Climate Plans and, where appropriate, in other climate policies 

The EU took actions in all three areas. The in-depth analysis underpinning the EU long-term 
strategy explored in a stylised manner the role of a reduction of primary materials production 
in  mitigating  energy-  and  process-related  GHG  emissions  in  EU  industry33.  The  scenario 
modelling  the  implementation  of  circular  economy  actions  (“CIRC”)  assumes  an  average 
reduction of physical output for most energy industries. Together with other circular economy 
measures,  and  combined  with  moderate  energy  efficiency  and  fuel-switching,  the  CIRC 
scenario  achieves  the  same  ambition  as  other  modelled  scenarios  at  the  least  energy  related 
cost34.  

Eurostat  has  undertaken  a  decomposition  analysis  of  the  reduction  of  greenhouse  gas 
emissions by the EU economy over the period 2008-2020. According to Eurostat estimates, a 
more  efficient  use  of  natural  resources  (materials  and  energy)  is  a  relevant  factor  in  the 
decline  of  GHG  emissions.  Around  12%  of  the  reduction  are  due  to  more  circular  material 
flows, i.e. secondary materials replacing primary materials in the economy. 

30 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX%3A52022XC1229%2802%29&from=EN 
31 Circular Economy Action Plan, COM(2020) 98. 
32  Circular economy action plan : for a cleaner and more competitive Europe, COM(2020) 98  

33  https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/strategies/2050_en   
34 The energy related investment costs do not include certain additional costs that would be related to circular 
measures, like the improved of material collection methods, handling and transporting material for preparing 
their reuse etc.   

13 

 
 
                                                 
 
 
The Commission has also launched external studies35 on the links between circular economy 
and climate change whose results will be available in the coming years and will be taken into 
account for further analysis.  Finally, the Commission underlines the relevance of the circular 
economy  in  its  Notice  on  the  Guidance  to  Member  States  for  the  update  of  the  2021-2030 
national energy and climate plans36. More specifically, Member States are asked to integrate 
and model the contribution of the circular economy to the climate transition. 

35 The ongoing contract “Study on the Contribution of the Circular Economy (CE) to EU Climate Policies” aims 
at developing a methodology to quantify circular economy contributions to addressing climate change, while the 
contract on the “Role of the circular economy as a contributor to industry decarbonisation beyond 2030” seeks to 
improve the evaluation of the potential role of the circular economy in the context of mitigating GHG emissions 
in the EU. Other recently funded EU-projects look at demand side changes within the realm of resource 
efficiency and circular economy, including the climate benefits. 
36 C/2022/9264 

14 

 
 
 
 
                                                 
 
 
 Indicators 

4.1. Structure of the framework 

The  monitoring  framework  consists  of  11  indicators  (see  Table  4.1)  structured  into  the 
following  5  dimensions  and  aspects  of  the  circular  economy:  (1)  production  and 
consumption;  (2)  waste  management;  (3)  secondary  raw  materials;  (4)  competitiveness  and 
innovation;  and  (5)  global  sustainability  and  resilience.  With  this  update,  the  monitoring 
framework  better  illustrates  the  role  of  the  circular  economy  in:  (i)  achieving  the  circular-
economy  targets  set  out  in  the  EU’s  2030  agenda;  (ii)  promoting  the  UN’s  Sustainable 
Development Goals; and (iii) securing the supply of energy and materials. 

The  monitoring  framework  uses  available  data  while  also  drawing  attention  to  areas  where 
new  indicators  are  in  the  process  of  being  developed,  in  particular  for  green  public 
procurement  and  for  food  waste.  All  the  indicators  are  published  with  the  corresponding 
metadata explaining sources and methodologies37. 

Production and consumption 

Monitoring  the  production  and  consumption  phase  is  essential  for  understanding  progress 
towards the circular economy. Progress in this sense is achieved by reducing the economy’s 
material consumption by decreasing the consumption of materials and decoupling economic 
growth  from  resource  use.  Green  public procurement  accounts  for  a  large  share  of  public 
expenditure  and  can  drive  the  circular  economy.  It  also  provides  a  useful  indication  of  the 
extent to which public funds contribute to the circular economy. In a circular economy, waste 
generation is minimised. Discarding food has negative impacts on the environment, climate, 
health,  social  and  economy.  The  indicator  of  food-waste  generation  measures  an  important 
waste stream with a significant environmental and climate impact. 

Waste management 

This dimension focuses on the share of waste which is recycled, as recycling is the method by 
which waste materials are returned to the economic cycle to continue creating value. One of 
the indicators in  this  dimension monitors  overall progress  in  the  recycling of waste, since 
increasing  recycling  is  part  of  the  transition  to  a  circular  economy.  The  most  appropriate 
indicators to track overall targets are: (i) the recycling of all waste excluding major mineral 
wastes; and (ii) the recycling of municipal waste, which is subject to binding targets in EU 
legislation. Recycling rates for specific waste streams reflect the progress in recycling key 
waste streams. Policymakers are increasingly focused on specific waste streams that currently 

37 https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/circular-economy/indicators/monitoring-framework. 

15 

 
 
                                                 
 
 
present  a  significant  challenge  for  the  economy  and  the  environment,  such  as  packaging 
waste (including plastic) and electrical and electronic waste. Most of these specific waste 
streams  are  also  linked  to  binding  targets  in  EU  legislation  and  to  deliverables  under  the 
circular economy action plan.  

Secondary raw materials 

In  a  circular  economy,  secondary  raw  materials  are  widely  used  to  make  new  products.  To 
close  ‘loops’  in  the  circular  economy,  materials  and  products  must  ultimately  be  reinjected 
into  the  economy.  One  of  the  most  important  indicators  for  the  circular  economy  is  the 
contribution  of  recycled  materials  to  raw-material  demand.  This  is  the  purpose  of  the 
indicators  on  both  circular  material  use  rate  (for  the  overall  economy)  and  end-of-life 
recycling  input  rates  indicators  (for  specific  important  materials).  Moreover,  to  ensure  an 
increasing share of secondary raw materials in the economy, it is important to establish stable 
markets  for  these  materials.  Therefore,  another  indicator  measures  trade  in  recyclable  raw 
materials between EU Member States and the rest of the world. 

Competitiveness and innovation 

A more circular economy increases the life-span of products by: (i) improved clean, safe and 
sustainable  design  for  circularity;  (ii)  increasing  reuse,  reparability,  durability,  and 
upgradability;  (iii) promoting innovative industrial processes (e.g. industrial symbiosis); and 
(iv)  promoting  innovative  forms  of  consumption  such  as  the  collaborative  economy.  Two 
indicators are included  under this dimension  to monitor developments  in this area. The first 
indicator reflects the contribution of the circular economy to the creation of jobs, investment 
and  gross  value  added.  The  second  indicator  reflects  green  innovation,  and  therefore  the 
development of innovative technologies related to the circular economy that help to boost the 
EU’s global competitiveness. A third and final indicator under this dimension covers patents 
related to recycling and secondary raw materials as a proxy for innovation. 

Global sustainability and resilience 

This is a new dimension of the framework, introduced with this update. Global sustainability 
means that a more circular economy contributes to meeting  both the EU’s goals for climate 
neutrality  and  the  UN’s  global  Sustainable  Development  Goals.  Global  sustainability  is 
measured by the EU’s consumption footprint and the contribution of the circular economy 
to climate neutrality. 

Resilience  means  that  the  EU  will  improve  the  security  of  its  supply  of  both  materials  and 
energy  by  making  its  economy  more  circular.  The  indicator  on  material  dependency 
illustrates the extent of the EU’s dependence on imports of materials. In the longer term, the 
transition towards a circular economy may contribute to increasing the EU’s self-sufficiency 
in selected raw materials for production in the EU. 

16 

 
 
4.2.  Selection criteria  

The  framework  consists  of  11  indicators  in  total,  and  is  based  on  existing  official  statistics 
from  Eurostat  and  other  official  sources  (the  European  Commission,  including  the  Joint 
Research Centre and the European Patent  Office). As the data already  exist, the monitoring 
framework  does  not  increase  the  administrative  burden  on  Member  States.  The  selected 
indicators have been evaluated against how they perform in terms of relevance, acceptability, 
credibility, easiness and robustness (also known as RACER). 

The indicators on green public procurement are included even though statistical work is still 
ongoing and robust data will only be available in the coming years. 

17 

 
 
 
Figure 4.1. EU Monitoring framework for the circular economy - 11 indicators, 2023 

4.3.  Results of the stakeholder consultations 

To  help  prepare  this  update,  the  Commission  consulted  Member  States  and  stakeholders  in 
202138. The Commission carefully assessed the comments it received in these consultations. 
Most  stakeholders  agreed  with  most  of  the  proposed  indicators.  The  consultations  yielded 
many valuable technical comments on how to populate the indicators, measurement units, etc. 
These  comments  have  helped  to  ensure  a  high  degree  of  reliability  and  data  comparison.  A 
frequent  concern  expressed  in  the  consultations  was  that  there  were  many  pieces  of 
information  and  indicators  on  waste  management,  but  fewer  indicators  covering  the  other 
phases  of  the  circular-economy  loop  (such  as  production,  consumption,  reuse,  and  repair). 
Stakeholders  were  concerned  that  this  could  result  in  some  important  transformation  trends 
and economic opportunities being overlooked.  However, in the  absence  of available data or 
even  methodologies  to  measure  these  aspects,  it  is  necessary  at  present  to  work  with  other 
available information that may give some more indirect indications of performance.  

The following table includes the final list of indicators and sub-indicators. 

38  The  Commission  consulted  three  Member  State  expert  groups:  the  Working  Group  on  Environmental 
Accounts, the Working Group on Resource Efficiency and SCP/IPP, and the Raw Materials Supply Group. The 
European Environmental Agency and the Eionet network were also consulted. 

18 

 
 
  
 
 
 
                                                 
 
 
Table 4.1. Indicators in the monitoring framework for the circular economy 

Indicator 

Sub-indicators 

2030 target or direction for 
improvement 

Production and consumption 

1 Material consumption 

1a Material footprint  

Reduce 

1b Resource productivity  

Increase – decoupling 

2 Green public procurement  

3 Waste generation 

3a Total waste generation per capita  

3b Total waste generation (excluding major 
mineral waste) per GDP  

3c Generation of municipal waste per capita 

3d Food waste  

3e Generation of packaging waste per capita 

3f Generation of plastic packaging waste per 
capita 

Significantly reduce total waste 
generation 

Halve the amount of residual (non-
recycled) municipal waste 

Reduce (target proposal by 2023) 

Reduce by 5% compared to 2018 

Reduce 

Waste management 

4 Overall recycling rates 

4a Recycling rate for municipal waste 

60% 

4b Recycling rate for all waste excluding major 
mineral waste 

5 Recycling rates for specific 
waste streams 

5a Recycling rate for overall packaging waste 

70% 

5b Recycling rate for plastic packaging waste 

5c Recycling rate for electrical and electronic 
equipment waste that is separately collected 

55% 

Secondary raw materials 

6 Contribution of recycled 
materials to raw-material demand 

7 Trade in recyclable raw 
materials 

6a Circular material-use rate 

Double  

6b End-of-life recycling input rates 

7a Imports from outside the EU 

7b Exports to outside the EU 

7c Intra-EU trade 

Competitiveness and innovation 

8 Private investments, jobs and 
gross value added*  

8a Private investments 

Increase 

8b Employment 

8c Gross value added 

19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9 Innovation  

9 Patents related to waste management and 
recycling 

Increase 

Global sustainability and resilience 

10 Global sustainability from 
circular economy 

11 Resilience from circular 
economy 

10a Consumption footprint 

Reduce to remain within the PB** 

10b GHG emissions from production activities 

Reduce 

11a Material import dependency  

Decrease  

11b EU self-sufficiency for raw materials 

Increase 

Notes: * in circular-economy sectors. ** PB: Planetary boundaries for all impact categories 

4.4.  Dissemination of the monitoring framework 

The European Commission (Eurostat) disseminates the monitoring framework by a dedicated 
website  for  the  circular  economy39.  This  website  also  provides  a  brief  introduction  to  the 
monitoring framework, background information, and relevant links.  

The data for all the indicators and sub-indicators are reported together in a visualisation tool40 
to facilitate comparing the indicators for any Member State or the EU. This is the main data 
source for users,  who can find all the information for the monitoring framework in  a single 
place  on  the  website.  In  addition,  tables  for  each  indicator  and  sub-indicator,  as  well  as  the 
corresponding  explanatory  metadata,  are  also  available  in  the  Eurostat  online  database.  In 
some  cases,  tables  with  further  breakdowns  and  alternative  measurement  units  (e.g. 
percentages instead of absolute values, etc.) are also available.  

39 Overview - Circular economy - Eurostat (europa.eu). 
40 Monitoring framework - Circular economy - Eurostat (europa.eu).  

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
 
 
 Description of the indicators and trends 
observed  

PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION  

5.1.  Material consumption 

Material footprint  

Relevance for the circular economy 

Global  consumption  of  materials  is  expected  to  double  in  the  next  40  years.  Material 
footprints  are  therefore  very  relevant  in  the  current  policy  context.  The  circular-economy 
action plan explicitly calls for metrics to measure material footprints. The rationale for this is 
that  the  EU  has  a  greater  share  of  the  world’s  material  consumption  and  investment  than  it 
does  of  the  world’s  material  production,  as  many  goods  consumed  in  the  EU  are  produced 
outside  Europe.  Material-footprint  metrics  give  visibility  to  the  EU’s  responsibility  for 
environmental pressures elsewhere in the world as a consequence of products exported to the 
EU.  

This  indicator  on  material  footprint  (raw-material  consumption)  is  also  included  in  the 
monitoring framework for the 8th environment action programme (8th EAP). 

Facts and figures 

The  EU’s  material  footprint  (measured  as  raw-material  consumption)  amounted  to 
13.7 tonnes  per  capita  in  2020.  This  was  a  2%  decrease  since  2014.  Starting  on  year  2000, 
there  is  a  long-term  declining  trend.  The  material  footprint  of  non-metallic  minerals  is  the 
main  driver  of  the  observed  declining  trend  since  2010.  This  is  driven  by  gross  capital 
formation in the form of investments in construction. The domestic extraction of non-metallic 
minerals is mostly composed of construction minerals such as sand and gravel.  

21 

 
 
 
 
Figure  5.1.1  Material  footprint  by  main  material  categories  (tonnes  per  capita),  EU, 
2000-2020 

Figure 5.1.2 EU material footprint as a result of final consumption expenditure and 
gross capital formation by type of materials (tonnes per capita), 2020 

Indicator description  

  Definition:  Raw-material  consumption  (RMC)  is  a  measure  of  material  footprints.  It 
measures  the  amount  of  material  in  terms  of  raw-materials  equivalent  (RME)  needed 
(or  to  put  it  another  way,  the  amount  of  extractions,  domestic  and  foreign,  required 

22 

 
 
 
 
 
directly and indirectly) to produce the products consumed in the geographical reference 
area.  It  is  calculated  as  raw-material  input  minus  raw-material  exports  (RME).  The 
indicator on  RMC  gives  an insight  into the quantity and type of materials  required to 
meet the EU’s demand for products, regardless of where they are produced. 

  Interpretation:  Material  footprints  quantify  the  worldwide  demand  for  materials 
(biomass,  metal  ores,  non-metallic  minerals  and  fossil-energy  materials/carriers)  to 
produce goods and services for consumption or investment by households, governments 
and businesses in the EU. 

  Data  source:  Environmental-economic  accounts,  material-flow  accounts  produced 
under Regulation (EU) No 691/2011. Data provider: Statistical Office of the European 
Union (Eurostat), based on data reported by national authorities. 

Material  flow  accounts  in  raw  material  equivalents  -  modelling  estimates  -  Eurostat 
(europa.eu) (env_ac_rme).  
Material  flow  accounts  in  raw  material  equivalents  by  final  uses  of  products  - 
modelling estimates - Eurostat (europa.eu) (env_ac_rmefd).  

Data  are  annual  and  available  for  the  year  2000  onwards,  but  data  for  2000-2007  is  only 
available  for  the  EU  aggregate.  Estimates  for  all  Member  States  are  available  from  2008 
onwards.  The  RME-based  material-flow  indicators  are  derived  from  data  on  domestic 
extraction  of  materials  and  trade  flows  in  RME.  Domestic  extraction  is  recorded  in  the 
economy-wide  material-flow  accounts  (EW-MFA)  and  represents  the  physical  amount  of 
materials extracted from the environment by a national economy.  

References  

  Material  flow  accounts  statistics  –  material  footprints  –  Statistics  Explained 

(europa.eu) 

  Material flow accounts and resource productivity – Statistics Explained (europa.eu) 
  Material footprint - Eurostat (europa.eu) (cei_pc020) 

23 

 
 
 
 
 
Resource productivity  

Relevance for the circular economy 

Resource  productivity  measures  the  decoupling  of  economic  growth  from  resource  use. 
Improvements  in  material  productivity  –  the  efficiency  of  material  use  –  help  to  reduce 
environmental pressures and impacts.  

The term ‘decoupling’ refers to breaking the link between an environmental and an economic 
variable.  As  defined  by  the  Organisation  for  Economic  Cooperation  and  Development 
(OECD), decoupling occurs when the growth rate of an environmental pressure (for example, 
domestic material  consumption or DMC) is less than that of its economic driving force (for 
example,  GDP)  over  a  given  period.  DMC  measures  the  total  amount  of  materials  directly 
used by an economy. DMC is defined as the annual quantity of raw materials extracted from 
the  domestic  territory  of  the  local  economy,  plus  all  physical  imports  minus  all  physical 
exports. It is important to note that the term ‘consumption’, as used in DMC, denotes apparent 
consumption and not final consumption, i.e. DMC does not include upstream flows related to 
imports and exports of raw materials and products originating outside of the local economy. 
Those are measured with the material footprint. 

Decoupling can be either absolute or relative. Absolute decoupling is said to occur when the 
environmental  variable  is  stable  or  decreases  while  the  economic  driving  force  grows. 
Decoupling is said to be relative when the rate of change of the environmental variable is less 
than the rate of change of the economic variable. 

Facts and figures 

Since  2000,  the  resource  productivity  of  the  EU  economy  increased  by  around  35%.  This 
increase happened mainly since the global crisis in 2007-2008, as resource productivity was 
rather  stable  in  the  years  before  the  crisis.  The  COVID-19  recession  caused  a  moderate 
decrease in resource productivity in 2020, but it increased again in 2021. 

An  analysis  of  the  resource-productivity  components,  namely  GDP  and  DMC,  helps  to 
explain these developments. Before 2007-2008, GDP and DMC had been growing almost in 
parallel. Between 2008 and 2016, the two components decoupled, i.e. developed in  opposite 
directions.  Since  2016,  both  components  seemed  to  re-couple  again,  i.e.  they  have  shown 
similar patterns of annual change since then. 

Figure 5.1.3 EU Resource productivity in comparison with GDP and DMC, EU, 2000-
2021 (2000 = 100) 

24 

 
 
 
Indicator description 

  Definition: Resource productivity is defined as GDP divided by DMC.  
  Interpretation: Resource productivity is a measure of the total gross value added in an 
economy (measured by the GDP) in relation to the amount of materials directly used by 
an economy  (measured  as  DMC).  It  measures  whether decoupling between the use of 
natural  resources  and  economic  growth  is  taking  place  and  provides  insights  into  the 
reasons for this decoupling. 

  Data  source:  Environmental-economic  accounts,  material-flow  accounts;  national 
accounts. Data provider: Statistical Office of the European Union (Eurostat), based on 
data reported by national authorities. 

Resource productivity – Eurostat (europa.eu) (env_ac_rp). Based in the data sets: 
Material flow accounts – Eurostat (europa.eu) (env_ac_mfa) 
GDP  and  main  components  (output,  expenditure and  income)  –  Eurostat  (europa.eu) 
(nama_10_gdp) 

References  

Material-flow accounts and resource productivity – Statistics Explained (europa.eu). 
Eurostat  monitoring  report  on  progress  towards  the  SDGs  in  a  European  context  –  2021 
edition 
Resource productivity – Eurostat (europa.eu) (cei_pc030) 

25 

 
 
 
 
 
5.2.  Green public procurement 

Relevance for the circular economy 

Public  procurement  accounts  for  a  large  proportion  of  European  consumption.  If  circularity 
requirements (reparability, durability, recyclability, etc.) are systematically included in public 
contracts, public procurement can boost the circular economy and green innovation41.  

The indicator is  also  relevant  for Sustainable Development  Goal  12.7:  ‘Promote sustainable 
public-procurement practices, according to national policies and priorities’. 

Facts and figures 

The indicator is under development.  

Data will be collected for the first time with a new version of the public-procurement standard 
forms42,  which  is  currently  under  preparation.  This  new  version  will  mean  that  it  would  be 
mandatory  to  answer  a  question  on  green  public  procurement  in  all  public-procurement 
procedures in the EU above the procurement thresholds43, of which there are around 150 000 
procurement procedures a year. The data are expected to become available in 2024. 

Indicator description 

  Definition: The share of public-procurement procedures above the EU thresholds (in 
number and value) that  include environmental criteria.  In the forms to  be completed 
for  all  tenders  above  the  EU  value  thresholds,  public  authorities  could  tick  ‘yes’  or 
‘no’  to  say  if  in  the  tender  documents,  a  ‘technical  specification,  award  criterion,  or 
contract  performance  condition  aims  at  reducing  the  environmental  impact  of  the 
procurement’44. 

  Interpretation:  Identifying  product  groups  and  Member  States  with  less  uptake  of 
green public procurement gives new information and makes it possible to initiate more 
targeted  actions.  It  is  likely  that  the  criterion  of  ‘aiming  to  reduce  environmental 
impact’ will be interpreted differently by different authorities. This stems also from the 
fact that ‘reducing environmental impact’, and the underlying concept of ‘green public 
procurement’ is a complex, multi-faceted issue where finding a perfectly accurate legal 

41 http://ec.europa.eu/environment/gpp/index_en.htm. Improving public procurement can yield big savings: even 
a 1% energy-efficiency gain could save EUR 20 billion per year. 
42 The current standard forms are available on: http://simap.ted.europa.eu/en/web/simap/standard-forms-for-
public-procurement.  
43 It is mandatory to open the procurement to all EU companies if the amount for public procurement is above 
the thresholds available on: https://ec.europa.eu/growth/single-market/public-procurement/rules-
implementation/thresholds_en. 
44 The new standard form should be approved as an implementing regulation by the Advisory Committee on 
Public Procurement. 

26 

 
 
                                                 
 
 
or environmental definition may not be possible. The results might  generate an overly 
positive picture of the use of green public procurement and in particular for the value of 
green  tenders.  The  most  valuable  contracts  are  often  in  construction,  where  almost 
every public authority is likely to take some environmental element into account. The 
indicator is therefore a proxy showing trends in a significant proportion of the demand 
side. In addition, not all the criteria will necessarily relate to the circular economy. 

  Data source: European Commission. 

References 

  Green Public Procurement – Environment – European Commission (europa.eu) 

27 

 
 
 
 
 
5.3.  Waste generation  

Total waste generation per capita 

Relevance for the circular economy 

Minimising the generation of waste is a key part of the circular-economy action plan. In the 
circular-economy action plan, waste is considered as a resource. Waste management plays a 
central role in the circular economy. This indicator is also part of the monitoring framework 
for the 8th environment action programme. 

EU waste-management  policies aim to both reduce the environmental and health impacts of 
waste  and  improve  the  EU’s  resource  efficiency.  The  long-term  aim  of  these  policies  is  to 
reduce the amount of waste generated and, when waste generation is unavoidable, to promote 
it as a resource and achieve higher levels of recycling and the safe disposal of waste. 

Facts and figures 

In  2020,  the  total  waste  generated  in  the EU by  all  economic  activities  and  households 
amounted  to  2 151 million  tonnes,  i.e.  4.8  tonnes  of  waste  were  generated  per  EU 
inhabitant in 2020. Overall, waste generation decreased by almost 3% between 2010 and 
2020.  Almost  two  thirds  of  the  total  waste  generated  in  the  EU  in  2020  was  major  mineral 
waste. Major mineral waste is closely linked to mining, quarrying activities, construction and 
demolition,  which  are  important  sectors  in  some  Member  States.  In  the  EU,  construction 
generated 37.5% of total waste in 2020. This was followed by mining and quarrying (23.4%), 
manufacturing (10.7%), waste and water services (10.8%), and households (9.4%).  

Figure 5.3.1 EU waste generation (kg per capita), 2020  

28 

 
 
 
 
Figure 5.3.2 EU waste generation by economic activity of producers and households, 
2020 (% share of total waste per capita)  

29 

 
 
 
  
 
Indicator description  

  Definition:  The  indicator  is  defined  as  total  waste  generated  in  a  country  including 
major  mineral  wastes  (all  NACE  activities  plus  households),  divided  by  the  average 
population of the country. Waste, defined by Directive 2008/98/EC Article 3(1) of the 
Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2008/98/EC) as ‘any substance or object which 
the  holder  discards  or  intends  or  is  required  to  discard’,  potentially  represents  an 
enormous  loss  of  resources  in  the  form  of  both  materials  and  energy.  This  indicator 
includes major mineral wastes for all NACE activities plus households. 

  Interpretation:  The  indicator  is  commonly  used  in  the  context  of  monitoring  waste 
generation  at  Member  State  level.  It  measures  the  effectiveness  of  waste-prevention 
measures.  The  indicator  uses  solid  data  and  makes  it  possible  to  compare  Member 
States’ performance over time. 

  Data source: Waste statistics based on Regulation (EC) No 2150/2002 of the European 
Parliament and of the Council. Data provider: Statistical Office of the European Union 
(Eurostat), based on data reported by national authorities. 

Generation  of  waste  by  waste  category,  hazardousness  and  NACE  Rev.  2  activity  - 
Eurostat (europa.eu) (env_wasgen). 

References  

Eurostat dedicated section on Waste – Eurostat (europa.eu) 
Waste statistics – Statistics Explained (europa.eu) 
Total waste generation per capita – Eurostat (europa.eu) (cei_pc034) 

30 

 
 
 
 
 
Total waste generation (excluding major mineral waste) per GDP 

Relevance for the circular economy 

In  the  circular  economy,  waste  generation  is  decoupled  from  GDP  growth.  This  means  that 
the  generation  of  waste  grows  less  rapidly  than  GDP  (relative  decoupling)  or  that  the 
generation  of  waste  actually  decreases  even  when  the  economy  is  growing  (absolute 
decoupling). Comparing waste generated to GDP allows us to measure the waste intensity of 
the economy and provides a measure of ‘eco-efficiency’. 

The indicator on overall waste generation excludes major mineral waste. This is because, on 
average,  waste  from  construction/demolition  and  mining  activities  in  the  EU  accounts  for 
almost two thirds of total waste generated and is thus responsible for changes in total waste 
generation.  Because  those  economic  activities  vary  greatly  in  their  significance  across 
different  Member  State  economies,  excluding  major  mineral  wastes  gives  a  more  accurate 
reflection of  general  trends  than the total  waste  figure, thus improving comparability  across 
countries.  

Facts and figures 

In  the  EU,  775  million  tonnes  of  waste  excluding  major  mineral  waste  were  generated  in 
2020,  equivalent  to  36%  of  the  total  waste  generated.  When  expressed  per  GDP,  the  EU 
generated, on average,  65 kilograms  of waste  per thousand euro  of GDP in  2020. There are 
large  differences  between  countries  however,  ranging  from  26  kg  of  waste  produced  per 
thousand euro of GDP in Luxembourg to 418 kg of waste produced per thousand euro of GDP 
in Bulgaria.  

Figure 5.3.3. Total waste generation (excluding major mineral waste) per GDP (kg per 
thousand EUR), EU, 2004 and 2020 

31 

 
 
 
 
Indicator description 

  Definition:  This  indicator  is  defined  as  all  waste  generated  in  a  country,  excluding 
major  mineral  waste45,  per  GDP.  Excluding  major  mineral  waste 
improves 
comparability  across countries  because some countries produce very large amounts of 
mineral  waste  due  to  both  the  nature  of  the  country’s  economy  and  the  relative 
prevalence of mining and construction in that economy.  

  Interpretation:  The  large  variation  in  the  indicator  may  also  be  due  to  a  number  of 

factors. The three bullet points below discuss some of these factors. 

o  Differences in waste classification by Member States may result in partial 
non-comparability, e.g. the high value for Estonia is the result of including 
waste from energy production. 

o  Differences in purchasing power are not fully reflected in exchange rates, 

thus undermining comparability across Member States.  

45 Major mineral waste is excluded from this indicator. Major mineral waste refers to the following waste 
categories: Mineral waste from construction and demolition (European waste clasification for statistics, code 
12.1),); other mineral wastes (12.2,12.3, 12.5),); soils (12.6)); and dredging spoils (12.7). 

32 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
 
 
o  Different structures in national economies affect the relative prevalence of 
materials-intensive  sectors  in  those  economies.  Some  Member  States 
specialise  in  these  materials-intensive  sectors,  while  other  Member  States 
specialise in high-value services (e.g. finance or IT). 

  Data source: Waste statistics based on Regulation (EC) No 2150/2002 of the European 
Parliament and of the Council. Data provider: Statistical Office of the European Union 
(Eurostat), based on data reported by national authorities. 

Generation  of  waste  by  waste  category,  hazardousness  and  NACE  Rev.  2  activity  - 
Eurostat (europa.eu) (en_wasgen) 
GDP  and  main  components  (output,  expenditure  and  income)  -  Eurostat  (europa.eu) 
(nama_10_gdp) 

References  

Eurostat dedicated section on waste – Eurostat (europa.eu) 
Waste statistics – Statistics Explained (europa.eu) 
Generation  of  waste  excluding  major  mineral  wastes  per  GDP  unit  –  Eurostat  (europa.eu) 
(cei_pc032) 

33 

 
 
 
 
Generation of municipal waste per capita 

Relevance for the circular economy 

This  is  an  indicator  of  municipal  waste.  Municipal  waste  is  only  approximately  10%  of  the 
total  waste  generated  in  the  EU  (measured  by  weight)  or  about  30%  of  the  total  amount  of 
waste  generated  excluding  major  mineral  waste.  Nevertheless,  changes  in  the  amount  of 
municipal  waste  generated  per  capita  give  a  good  indication  of:  (i)  changing  consumption 
patterns;  (ii)  Member  States’  performance  in  preventing  waste;  and  (iii)  the  areas  in  which 
action and involvement by the general public is most relevant.  

Facts and figures 

EU municipal-waste46 generation increased to 530 kg of municipal waste per capita in 2021 
from  503  kg  per  capita  in  2010.  The  Waste  Framework  Directive  lays  down  measures  to 
protect  the  environment  and  human  health  based  on  the  waste  hierarchy47.  These  measures 
include provisions and recommended measures to prevent or reduce the generation of waste. 
There  is  wide  variation  between  Member  States’  generation  of  municipal  waste  per  capita, 
with some Member States producing only 302 kg of waste per capita per year, while others 
produce 834 kg per capita per year48. There have also been mixed trends in Member States, 
and not all Member States saw declines in their generation of municipal waste in this period. 
In  fact,  some  Member  States  saw  an  increase  in  municipal-waste  generation  per  capita  of 
more than 30%.  

Figure 5.3.4 Generation of municipal waste per capita (kg per capita), 2006 and 2021 

46 Waste from households and in public spaces and similar waste from other sources. 
47 The Waste Framework Directive establishes in its Article 4 a priority order in waste prevention and 
management legislation and policy: (a) prevention; (b) preparing for re-use; (c) recycling; (d) other recovery, e.g. 
energy recovery; and (e) disposal. 
48 Differences in the way Member States measure waste generation can explain some of these differences. 

34 

 
 
  
 
 
                                                 
 
 
In 2021, total municipal-waste generation varied considerably across Member States, ranging 
from  302 kg  per  capita  in  Romania  to  793 kg  per  capita  in  Luxembourg.  The  values  reflect 
differences  in  consumption  patterns  and  economic  wealth,  but  they  also  depend  on  how 
municipal  waste  is  collected  and  managed.  This  is  because  Member  States  may  report 
differently on waste from commerce, trade and administration, which in some Member States 
is managed – and therefore reported – together with waste from households. 

Starting in 2004, methodologies were improved in most Member States which made the time 
series more accurate and stable than the previous time series for the period 1995-2003. 

Figure  5.3.5  shows  the  amount  of  waste  generated  at  EU  level  and  the  composition  of  this 
waste by treatment category (landfill, incineration, recycling, composting). During the period 
1995-2021 the EU recycling rate  for municipal  waste increased continuously, reaching 49% 
of  the  total  treated  (equivalent  to  263  kg  per  capita  recycled)  by  2021.  Since  2014,  the  EU 
recycling  rate  of  municipal  waste  has  been  higher  than  both  the  landfill  rate  and  the 
incineration rates. 

Figure  5.3.5  Municipal  waste  in  the  EU,  by  treatment  category  (kg  per  capita),  1995-
2021 

35 

 
 
 
 
 
Indicator description  

  Definition: The amount of municipal waste generated consists of waste collected by – 
or on behalf of – municipal authorities and disposed of through the waste-management 
system.  It consists to a large extent of waste generated by households,  although it can 
also  include  similar  wastes  from  sources  such  as  businesses,  offices  and  public 
institutions.  The  scope  of  data  collection  on  similar  waste  streams  may  vary  from 
municipality to municipality and among Member States, depending on the local waste-
management system. The overall amount of municipal waste generated is then divided 
by the population.  

is  an 

indication  of 

  Interpretation:  Reducing  municipal-waste  generation 

the 
effectiveness  of  waste-prevention  measures  and  changing  patterns  of  consumption. 
Concentrating on municipal waste rather than on industrial waste has the advantage that 
it  reflects  the  consumption  side  and  is  not  affected  by  the  presence  or  lack  of  large 
manufacturing sectors in a country.  
The  indicator  is  based  on  solid  data  and  is  available  in  time  series.  The  population  is 
factored  in  to  enable  comparability  among  Member  States.  However,  different 
interpretations  of  the  definition  of  municipal  waste  currently  limit  to  some  extent 
comparability  among  countries.  The  most  important  information  is  therefore  given 
through the time series.  

  Data source: Waste statistics based on Regulation (EC) No 2150/2002 of the European 
Parliament and of the Council. Data provider: Statistical Office of the European Union 
(Eurostat), based on data reported by national authorities. 

Municipal  waste  by  waste  management  operations  –  Eurostat 
(env_wasmun) 

(europa.eu) 

References 

  Municipal waste statistics – Statistics Explained (europa.eu) 

36 

 
 
 
  Generation of municipal waste per capita – Eurostat (europa.eu) (cei_pc031) 

37 

 
 
 
 
Food waste 

Relevance for the circular economy 

Producing food for everyone is obviously essential, but unnecessary food production depletes 
our  natural  resources  and  generates  greenhouse-gas  emissions.  Reducing  food  waste49  has 
enormous potential to save the resources we use to produce the food we eat. Under the EU’s 
‘farm  to  fork’  strategy,  the  Commission  will  propose  legally  binding  targets  to  reduce  food 
waste50. These targets will create a more sustainable food system by: (i) helping to limit the 
impact of the food supply chain on the environment and climate; and (ii) ensuring more food 
is available for human consumption. It is very difficult to measure food waste as it occurs all 
along the value chain: during production and distribution, and in shops, restaurants, catering 
facilities, and homes. 

Facts and figures 

This indicator is under development. According to Eurostat’s estimates based on provisional 
2020  data  from  food-waste  reporting  obligations,  the  EU  generated    59  million  tonnes  of 
food waste in 2020, equivalent to  131 kg per capita.  

49 https://ec.europa.eu/food/safety/food_waste/eu_actions_en.  
50 The food -waste reduction target will be part of the revision of the Waste Framework Directive. The of 
adoption of the legislative proposal is planned for Q2 2023.  

38 

 
 
 
 
                                                 
 
 
 
Figure 5.3.6 Food-waste amounts, by groups of economic activities (kilograms per 
capita), 2020 

Indicator description 

  Definition: The amount of food waste generated per year. Starting in the reference year 
2020,  the  indicator  has  been  computed  according  to  the  methodology  and  minimum 
quality requirements for the uniform measurement of food waste set out in Commission 
Delegated Decision (EU) 2019/1597.  This means that food waste will be measured as 
fresh mass all along the food value chain, including: (i) production; (ii) processing and 
manufacturemanufactureing,;  (iii)  retail  and  distribution;  (iv)  restaurants  and  food 
services; and (v) households.  
The  Waste  Framework  Directive  obliges  Member  States  to  report  annually  on  food-
waste generation as of the reference year 2020. Commission Delegated Decision (EU) 
2019/1597 provides a set of rules to define food waste so that it can be better measured. 
These definitions exclude food losses and food by-products from the definition of food 
waste. These definitions are derived from – and are consistent with – the definition of 
food according to  the  General Food  Law and the definition of waste according to  the 

39 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Waste Framework Directive. Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/2000 lays 
down a format for reporting data on food waste. 

  Interpretation: Food-waste monitoring is currently hampered by a lack of time-series 
data, since the reporting  obligations and  methodology have just entered  into force for 
the  reference  year  2020.  The  indicator  differentiates  between  food  waste  generated  at 
different  steps  in  the  food  value  chain:  (i)  primary  production  sectors  (agriculture, 
fisheries);  (ii)  food  processing;  (iii)  retail;  (iv)  restaurants  and  hospitality;  (v)  and 
households.  The  greatest  proportion  of  food  waste  is  generated  by  households,  where 
most food is consumed, followed by restaurants and hospitality services.. The definition 
of food waste in the Waste Framework Directive and Commission Delegated Decision 
(EU) 2019/1597 excludes food losses in primary production from the definition of food 
waste, which reduces comparability with previous studies and UN initiatives.  

With  data  available  only  one  reference  year  (2020),  the  implementation  of  the 
methodology  has  only  just  begun.  Even  though  the  data  seem  robust  at  present,  there 
are  aspects  of  the  methodology  to  be  improved  in  the  years  to  come  to  ensure  better 
comparability  between  countries.  Time  series  are  not  present  and  cannot  therefore  be 
analysed. The data are measured and presented in kg per capita, and would benefit from 
further refining the level of detail to make it possible to consider food-waste generation 
by resident and non-resident population. 

  Data source: Reporting obligations of the Member States set in Commission Delegated 
Decision (EU) 2019/1597, for data starting from reference year 2020 (collection started 
in June 2022). References 

  Food waste and food-waste prevention – estimates 
  Commission Delegated Decision (EU) 2019/1597 
  Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/2000 

40 

 
 
 
 
Generation of packaging waste per capita 

Relevance for the circular economy 

The  2020  circular-economy  action  plan  announced  an  objective  to  reduce  packaging,  over-
packaging  and  packaging  waste,  including  by  setting  targets  and  other  waste-prevention 
measures.  

Waste management plays a central role in the circular economy. Packaging waste is a waste 
stream  which  is  affected  by  both  consumer  behaviour  and  producers’  own  patterns  of 
production and distribution.  

In 2022 the Commission adopted a proposal51 to prevent waste packaging generation, which 
includes a target of reducing packaging waste by  5% by 2030 compared to 2018. 

Facts and figures 

Between 2009 and 2020, the generation of EU packaging waste increased by 21% to 178 kg 
per capita. It increased in all Member States except  Greece, Croatia and Sweden. Packaging 
waste per capita varies considerably among countries, with Croatia generating only 66 kg per 
capita per year, while Germany and Ireland generate respectively 226 and 225 kg per capita 
per year. 19% of all EU packaging waste is made up of plastics.  

Figure  5.3.7  Packaging  waste  generated,  recovered  and  recycled  (kg  per  capita),  EU, 
2009-2020 

51 COM (2022) 677: Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on packaging and 
packaging waste, amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and Directive (EU) 2019/904, and repealing Directive 
94/62/EC 

41 

 
 
 
 
                                                 
 
 
Figure 5.3.8 Packaging waste generated and recycled (kg per capita), 2020  

Indicator description 

  Definition: ‘Packaging’ in this context means all products made up of any materials of 
any  nature  to  be  used  for  the  containment,  protection,  handling,  delivery  and 

42 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
presentation of goods, from raw materials to processed goods, from the producer to the 
user or the consumer. ‘Non-returnable’ items used for the same purposes also constitute 
packaging. ‘Packaging waste’ means any packaging or packaging material covered by 
the  definition  of  waste  in  the  Waste  Framework  Directive52,  excluding  production 
residues. 

  Interpretation:  One  of  the  central  pillars  of  a  circular  economy  is  avoiding  waste. 
Packaging waste is a significant waste stream. Much packaging is made of plastic and 
thus  creates  waste  that  is  harder  to  recycle  and  potentially  more  hazardous  for  the 
environment and human health. 

  Data  source:  Reporting  obligations  of  the  Member  States  laid  down  in  the  Waste 

Framework Directive. Data provider: European Commission. 

Packaging  waste  by  waste  management  operations  –  Eurostat 
(env_waspac) 

(europa.eu) 

References 

  Eurostat dedicated section on Waste – Eurostat (europa.eu) 
  Packaging waste statistics – Statistics Explained (europa.eu) 
  Generation of packaging waste per capita – Products Datasets – Eurostat (europa.eu) 

(cei_pc040) 

52 Article 3(1): ‘waste’ means any substance or object which the holder discards or intends – or is required to –
discard.  

43 

 
 
 
 
                                                 
 
 
Generation of plastic packaging waste per capita 

Relevance for the circular economy 

The  2020  circular-economy  action  plan  announced  an  objective  to  reduce  packaging,  over-
packaging,  and  packaging  waste,  including  by  setting  targets  and  other  waste-prevention 
measures.  

One of the central pillars of a circular economy is feeding material back into the economy and 
avoiding waste being sent to landfill or incinerated. This captures as much of the value of 
materials as possible and reduces the loss of any residual value in waste materials. 

Facts and figures 

On  average,  each  European  produced  35  kg  of  plastic  packaging  waste  in  2020.  The 
generation of plastic packaging waste increased by 25% between 2010 and 2020, the greatest 
increase in all packaging-waste streams.  

Figure  5.3.9  EU  plastic  packaging  waste  generated  and  recycled,  2010-2020  (kg  per 
capita) 

Source: Eurostat (env_waspac) 

44 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Indicator description 

  Definition: Packaging is defined as any material that is used to contain, protect, handle, 
deliver  or  present  goods.  Packaging  waste  can  arise  from  a  wide  range  of  sources 
including  supermarkets,  other  retail  outlets,  manufacturing  industries,  households, 
hotels,  hospitals/healthcare industries, restaurants,  and transport companies.  Items like 
glass  bottles,  plastic  containers,  aluminium  cans,  food  wrappers,  timber  pallets,  and 
drums  are  all  classified  as  packaging.  The  main  packaging  materials  are  glass,  paper, 
cardboard,  plastics,  metals  (aluminium  and  steel)  and  wood.  This  indicator  only 
includes plastic packaging. 

  Interpretation:  One  of  the  central  pillars  of  a  circular  economy  is  avoiding  waste. 
Packaging waste is a significant waste stream. Much packaging is made of plastic and 
thus  creates  waste  that  is  harder  to  recycle  and  potentially  more  hazardous  for  the 
environment and human health. 

  Data  source:  Reporting  obligations  of  the  Member  States  laid  down  in  the  Waste 

Framework Directive. Data provider: European Commission. 
Packaging  waste  by  waste  management  operations  –  Eurostat 

(europa.eu) 

(env_waspac). 

References 

  Eurostat dedicated section on waste – Eurostat (europa.eu) 
  Packaging waste statistics – Statistics Explained (europa.eu) 
  Generation  of  plastic  packaging  waste  per  capita  –  Products  Datasets  –  Eurostat 

(europa.eu) (cei_pc050) 

45 

 
 
 
 
 
 WASTE MANAGEMENT  

5.4.  Overall recycling rates 

Recycling rate of municipal waste 

Relevance for the circular economy 

The  recycling  of  municipal  waste  indicates  how  waste  from  final  consumers  is  used  as  a 
resource  in  the  circular  economy.  Municipal  waste  reflects  mainly  waste  generated  by  final 
consumers, as it includes waste from households and waste from other sources that is similar 
in nature and composition to household waste. Municipal waste accounts for around 10% of 
total  waste  generated  in  the  EU  by  weight  (or  30%  of  total  waste  when  excluding  major 
mineral waste). Because of its diverse composition, good management of municipal waste is 
challenging. The recycling rate of municipal waste provides a good indication of the quality 
of the overall waste-management system. 

This indicator supports the monitoring of progress towards the 50% recycling target for 2020, 
and the 65% recycling target for 2035 set in the Waste Framework Directive. 

Facts and figures 

EU recycling rates for municipal waste increased from 39% to 49% between 2011 and 
2021.  Seven  Member  States  recycle  more  than  half  of  their  municipal  waste,  and  some  are 
approaching the 2030 recycling target of 60%53. In fact, Germany has already met the 2035 
target of recycling 65% of its municipal waste. However four Member States lag behind with 
a share below 25%.  

53 COM(2015) 595 final. 

46 

 
 
 
 
                                                 
 
 
Figure 5.4.1 Recycling rate of municipal waste, 2011 and 2021 

Indicator description 

  Definition: The recycling rate is the share of recycled municipal waste out of the total 
amount  of  municipal  waste  generated.  For  areas  not  covered  by  a  municipal-waste 
collection scheme, the amount of waste generated is estimated.  

  Interpretation:  The  recycling  rates  have  a  straightforward  interpretation.  However, 
comparability  across  countries  is  hindered  because  countries  measure  the  recycled 
quantities  in  different  ways  (for  instance  before  or  after  sorting  of  collected  waste), 
which  has  implications  for  accuracy  and  comparability.  This  issue  is  addressed  in 
Article 11(a)(1)(c) of the Waste Framework  Directive. For the calculation of recycled 
waste,  the  data  cover  the  amount  of  waste  entering  the  recycling  operation  in  which 
waste materials are actually reprocessed into products, materials or substances. 

  Data  source:  Municipal  waste  statistics.  Data  provider:  Statistical  Office  of  the 

European Union (Eurostat) based on data reported by the countries. 

47 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Municipal  waste  by  waste  management  operations  –  Eurostat 
(env_wasmun) 

(europa.eu) 

References 

  Directive 94/62/EC of 20 December 1994 (consolidated version) 
  Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/1004 of 7 June 2019  
  Recycling rate of municipal waste – Eurostat (europa.eu) (cei_wm011) 

Recycling rate of all waste excluding major mineral waste 

Relevance for the circular economy 

The recycling  rate of all waste excluding major  mineral  waste indicates the extent to  which 
key waste materials are reincorporated into the economy. This rate adds the production phase 
to  the  final  consumption  phase  reflected  by  municipal  waste  recycling,  and  in  this  way 
encompasses waste-recycling  arising from both consumption and production.  

Facts and figures 

In the EU, the recycling rate of waste (excluding major mineral waste) was 58% in 2020, up 
from 53% in 2010.  

The recycling rate varies a lot among Member States. For example, some Member States have 
high rates for the recycling of waste (excluding major mineral waste). These include Belgium 
at 87%, Slovenia at 80%, and The Netherlands at 74%. However, other Member States have 
rates below 30%  

Figure 5.4.2 Recycling rate of all waste excluding major mineral waste, 2010 and 2020 

48 

 
 
 
 
Indicator description  

  Definition: This indicator is defined as the share of waste that is recycled divided by 
all  waste  treated  in  a  country  (excluding  major  mineral  wastes  which  mainly  arise 
from mining and construction). 

  Interpretation:  The  indicator  corrects  treatment  data  collected  under  the  Waste 
Statistics Regulation with data on imports and exports. It therefore takes into account 
the  amount  of  waste  collected  in  one  country  and  recycled  in  another  country. 
Changes in this indicator indicate the overall progress in recycling performance. 

  Data  source:  Waste  statistics  based  on  Regulation  (EC)  No  2150/2002  of  the 
European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council.  Data  provider:  Statistical  Office  of  the 
European Union (Eurostat).  
Management  of  waste  excluding  major  mineral  waste,  by  waste  management 
operations – Eurostat (europa.eu). 
Comext  database  for  imports  and  exports  of  waste  materials  from  Foreign  Trade 
Statistics.  

References 

Regulation on Waste Statistics (EC) No 2150/2002 
Commission Regulation (EU) No 849/2010 
Recycling  rate  of  all  waste  excluding  major  mineral  waste  –  Eurostat  (europa.eu) 
(cei_wm010) 

49 

 
 
 
 
5.5.  Recycling rates for specific waste streams  

Recycling rate of overall packaging waste 

Relevance for the circular economy 

Packaging  waste  accounts  for  10.3%  of  all  waste  generated  in  the  EU  excluding  major 
mineral waste. Packaging waste generally consists of similar materials which are particularly 
suitable for recycling. The waste legislation sets specific recycling targets for packaging, and 
the amended Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, PPWD, includes increased recycling 
targets for packaging materials by 2025 and 2030.  

The indicator is used to monitor progress towards the target to recycle 55% of packaging set 
for 2008 and the targets of 65% and 70% by 2025 and 203054 respectively. 

Facts and figures 

The EU recycled 67% of all packaging waste in 2015 and 64% in 2020, showing an increase 
of more than 10 percentage points compared to 2008 (when only 54.6% of packaging waste 
was recycled). 

Figure 5.5.1 shows the recycling rate for all packaging waste for the EU Member States and 
EEA/EFTA  countries  in  2020.  Recycling  covers  material  recycling  and  other  forms  of 
recycling (e.g. organic recycling). The current target to recycle 55% of packaging waste was 
met by all Member States, except Croatia (54.2%), Hungary (52.4%), Romania (39.9%) and 
Malta (40%).  

Figure 5.5.1 Recycling rate of packaging waste, 2020 

54 Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive 94/62/EC, Article 6(1) 

50 

 
 
 
 
                                                 
 
 
Indicator description  

  Definition:  Packaging waste covers  all the waste packaging materials  from  products 
used  to  contain,  protect,  handle,  deliver  and  present  goods.  These  goods  include 
everything  from  raw  materials  to  processed  goods,  and  cover  all  stages  from  the 
producer to the user or the consumer, excluding production residues. 

  Interpretation:  In  some  cases,  differences  between  Member  States  are  due  to 
methodological differences, i.e. the possibility to report output from sorting instead of 
input  to  recycling  if  there  are  no  significant  losses  in  the  recycling  process.  Most 
Member  States  assume  that  waste  generated  is  equal  to  the  amounts  of  packaging 
placed  on  the  market  in  a  given  year  in  that  country.  This  might  result  in 
underreporting or inflate recycling rates. 

  Data source: Reporting obligations of the Member States laid down in the Packaging 
and Packaging Waste Directive 94/62/EC. Data provider: European Commission. 
Packaging  waste  by  waste  management  operations  –  Eurostat 
(env_waspac). 
Recycling rates of packaging waste for monitoring compliance with policy targets, by 
type of packaging – Eurostat (europa.eu) (env_waspacr). 

(europa.eu) 

References  

  Directive (EU) 2018/852 
  Eurostat dedicated section on waste – Eurostat (europa.eu) 
  Packaging waste statistics – Statistics Explained (europa.eu) 

51 

 
 
 
  Recycling  rate  of  packaging  waste  by  type  of  packaging  –  Eurostat  (europa.eu) 

(cei_wm020) 

52 

 
 
 
 
Recycling rate of plastic packaging waste 

Relevance for the circular economy 

Recycling more plastic is essential for the transition to a circular economy. The use of plastics 
in the EU has grown steadily in recent  years, but less than 30% of plastics are collected for 
recycling and another third goes to landfill. Large quantities of plastics, including packaging, 
also end up in the oceans and are the principal cause of marine litter.  

Plastic  packaging  accounts  for  around  60%  of  plastic  waste  in  the  EU.  Between  2005  and 
2015, EU generation of plastic packing waste increased by almost 12% to reach 15.8 million 
tonnes, or 31 kg per capita. 

The  revised  Packaging  and  Packaging  Waste  Directive  stipulates:  (i)  a  minimum target  that 
50% of plastic packaging waste should be either prepared for reuse55 or recycled by 2025; and 
(ii)  a  minimum  recycling  target  of  55%  by  2030.  This  indicator  will  make  it  possible  to 
monitor progress towards this target. 

Facts and figures 

The  EU  recycling  rate  for  plastic  packaging  stood  at  38%  in  2020,  up  from  34%  in  2010. 
Three  Member  States  recycle  more  than  50%  of  plastic  packaging  waste.  The  target  of 
recycling 22.5% of all plastic packaging waste was met by all Member States in 2020, except 
Malta (which recycled 10.2% of plastic packaging waste). 

Figure 5.5.2 shows the recycling rate for plastic packaging waste for the EU Member States 
and the EEA/EFTA countries in 2020. The recycling rate includes only material recycling and 
no  other  forms  of  recycling,  i.e.  it  exclusively  covers  material  that  is  recycled  back  into 
plastics. 

Figure 5.5.2 Recycling rate for plastic packaging, 2020 

55 Waste Framework Directive Article 3.16 ‘preparing for re-use’ means checking, cleaning or repairing 
recovery operations, by which products or components of products that have become waste are prepared so that 
they can be re-used without any other pre-processing. 

53 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
 
 
Indicator description  

  Definition: The recycling rate for plastic packaging is calculated as the total quantity of 
recycled plastic packaging waste divided by total plastic packaging waste generated (both 
expressed in kg or tonnes). 

  Interpretation:  In  some  cases,  differences  between  Member  States  are  due  to 
methodological differences;most Member States assume that waste generated is equal to 
the amounts of packaging placed on the market in a given year in that country. This might 
result  in  underreporting  or  inflate  recycling  rates  as  compared  to  other  Member  States 
which  use  waste  composition  analysis  to  determine  the  generated  plastic  packaging 
waste. 

  Data  source:  Reporting  obligations  of  the  Member  States  laid  down  in  the  Waste 

Framework Directive. Data provider: European Commission. 

Packaging  waste  by  waste  management  operations  –  Eurostat 
(env_waspac). 
Recycling rates of packaging waste for monitoring compliance with policy targets, by 
type of packaging – Eurostat (europa.eu) (env_waspacr). 

(europa.eu) 

References  

  Directive (EU) 2018/852 
  Eurostat dedicated section on waste – Eurostat (europa.eu) 
  Packaging waste statistics – Statistics Explained (europa.eu) 

54 

 
 
 
  Recycling  rate  of  packaging  waste  by  type  of  packaging  –  Eurostat  (europa.eu) 

(cei_wm020) 

55 

 
 
 
Recycling rate of waste electrical and electronic equipment separately collected 

Relevance for the circular economy 

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), also known as e-waste, comprises items 
such  as  out-of-use  computers,  televisions,  fridges  and  mobile  phones.  It  is  one  the  fastest 
growing  waste  streams  in  the  EU.  WEEE  poses  a  risk  to  the  environment  (hazardous 
components),  but  it  also  has  high  potential  for  recycling  by  replacing  raw  materials  with 
secondary raw materials (such as precious metals and other highly valuable special materials 
including critical raw materials.). 

Compared  with  other  waste  streams,  e-waste  may  not  appear  to  be  significant  in  terms  of 
weight: some 9 million tonnes were generated in the EU in 2012 and it is expected that this 
will have grown to more than 12 million tonnes by 2020. However, e-waste provides a good 
example  of  the  untapped  potential  to  recover  valuable  raw  materials.  Furthermover,  the 
carbon  footprint  of  WEEE  material  extraction  and  use  is  relatively  high  considering  it 
comprises of metals and involves complex processes. It is estimated that up to 60 out of 118 
chemical elements in the periodic table can be found in complex electronics, many of which 
could be recovered, although very little of it is currently recycled. Critical raw materials such 
as  gallium,  germanium,  indium,  silicon  and  dysprosium  are  widely  used  in  electrical  and 
electronic  equipment  and  are  a  priority  area  for  recycling  under  the  EU’s  circular-economy 
action plan. 

Facts and figures 

The  percentage  of  WEEE  recycled  and  prepared  for  reuse  has  increased  in  the  EU  from 
81.8%  in  2010  to  83.4%  in  2020.  Three  Member  States  (Croatia,  Slovakia  and  Finland) 
achieved  more  than  90%  recycling  and  reuse  of  WEEE  in  2020.  In  most  Member  States, 
recycling  of  e-waste  increased  in  the  period  2010-2020.  Some  Member  States  have  seen  a 
significant increase as they have increased not only the amount of e-waste collected, but also 
the amount of e-waste that is recycled. 

Figure 5.5.3 Recycling rate of WEEE separately collected, 2010 and 2020 

56 

 
 
Indicator description 

  Definition:  This  indicator  has  been  implemented  in  the  revision  of  the  circular 
economy  monitoring  framework  to  replace  the  indicator  ‘Recycling  rate  of  e-waste’, 
the definition of which differs. 
The  indicator  is  calculated  by  dividing  the  weight  of  WEEE  that  enters  the 
recycling/preparing-for-reuse facility by the weight of all separately collected WEEE 
(both  measured  in  kg  or  tonnes)  in  accordance  with  Article  11(2)  of  the  WEEE 
Directive (Directive 2012/19/EU). 
WEEE means electrical or electronic equipment which is waste under Article 3(1) of 
Directive  2008/98/EC,  including  all  components,  sub-assemblies  and  consumables 
which  are  part  of  the  product  at  the  time  of  discarding.  Electrical  and  electronic 
equipment  means:  (i)  equipment  which  is  dependent  on  electric  currents  or 
electromagnetic fields in order to work properly and designed for use with a voltage 
rating  not  exceeding  1  000  volts  for  alternating  current  and  1  500  volts  for  direct 
current;  and  (ii)  equipment  for  the  generation,  transfer  and  measurement  of  such 
currents and fields. 
The indicator is expressed as a percentage. 

57 

 
 
 
 
Directive 2012/19/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2012 
on  waste  electrical  and  electronic  equipment  (WEEE)  applies  to  electrical  and 
electronic equipment as follows: 
(a) until  the  reference  year  2018 for  electrical  and  electronic  equipment  falling 
within 10  product  categories  set  out  in  Annex  I  (Annex  II  of  Directive  2012/19/EU 
contains  an  indicative  list  of  electrical  and  electronic  equipment  falling  under  the 
categories in Annex I). 
(b) from the reference year 2019 onwards, all electrical and electronic equipment must 
be classified within 6 product categories set out in Annex III. 

  Interpretation: The indicator provides a measure of the WEEE recycled and prepared 
for  reuse,  taking  into  consideration  the  electrical  and  electronic  equipment  that  had 
been put on the market having a high potential for recycling to replace raw materials 
by secondary raw materials.  
The indicator is commonly used to monitor recycling at Member State level. Overall 
weight-based  figures  do  not  adequately  capture  recycling  rates  for  critical  raw 
materials which are typically present in e-waste in low quantities compared to the total 
weight of the e-waste. The indicator also does not capture options higher in the waste 
hierarchy – repair/reuse/remanufacturing. 

  Data  source: Reporting  obligations  of  the  Member  States  laid  down  in  the  Waste 

Framework Directive. Data provider: European Commission. 
Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) by waste management operations – 
Eurostat (europa.eu) (env_waselee) 
Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) by waste management operations – 
open scope, 6 product categories (from 2018 onwards) (env_waseleeos) 

References 

Waste statistics – electrical and electronic equipment – Statistics Explained (europa.eu) 
Waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) (europa.eu) 
Recycling rate of WEEE separately collected – Eurostat (europa.eu) (cei_wm060) 

58 

 
 
 
 
 
SECONDARY RAW MATERIALS 

5.6.  Contribution of recycled materials to raw-material demand 

The use of secondary raw materials is a key part of the circular economy, and it is important 
to  be able to  measure it. For this purpose, two separate  sub-indicators have been developed 
based on different datasets. The first sub-indicator (indicator 7a) gives an overall view of the 
use of secondary raw materials in the economy, whereas the second sub-indicator (indicator 
7b) focuses on a subset of specific materials. 

Circular-material-use rate 

Relevance for the circular economy 

The circular  economy  aims at  increasing  the amount  of material  recycled and fed back into 
the economy, thus reducing the generation of waste and limiting the extraction of primary raw 
materials. The circular-material-use rate (CMU) – also called the circularity rate – measures 
the share of recycled materials over total material demand.  

The  CMU  indicator  is  the  ratio  of  recycled  waste  material  to  overall  material  demand 
(expressed  as  DMC  plus  recovered  waste).  The  CMU  indicator  also  has  a  clear  connection 
with  the  Sankey  diagram  of  material  flows,  in  particular  the  ratio  between  the  closing  loop 
and the materials used in the economy. 

The CMU indicator complements indicator 7a  on the end-of-life recycling input rate. While 
the latter focuses on specific raw materials, the former measures material flows for the whole 
economy  and  for  four  big  groupings  of  materials.  The  CMU  indicator  makes  it  possible  to 
compare the EU and individual Member States, as well as to analyse progress over time.  

Facts and figures  

Recycled  materials  accounted  for  11.7%  of  EU  material  demand  in  2021.  There  has  been  a 
steady improvement since 2011 when this rate stood at 10.3%, with a constant increase every 
year since. This was due to material consumption  peaking and then falling, while recovered 
waste amounts were more or less stable.  

59 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 5.6.1 CMU rate by material category, EU, 2010-2021 

It  is  possible  to  analyse  the  changes  in  the  EU’s  CMU  rate  by  breaking  it  down  into  four 
broad  categories  of  materials:  biomass,  metal  ores,  non-metallic  minerals  and  fossil  fuels. 
Between 2011 and 2021, the CMU rate increased most notably for biomass, rising from 8.5% 
to 9.9%, followed by fossil-energy materials – albeit from a much lower baseline – which rose 
from 2.0% to 3.2%. The very significant category of metal ores exhibited some volatility over 
this period, rising from 24.5% in 2011 to 26.8% in 2012, but then falling to 21.8% in 2016, 
only to  reach  22.6% in  2021. Finally, the  non-metallic minerals  category  saw  its  CMU  rate 
increase from 13.2% to peak at 15.2% in 2013 and remain stable at 15% until 2019, to fall to 
14% in 2021. 

Member  States  present  a  range  of  CMU  rate  values  between  33.8%  and  1.4%.  The  highest 
values are recorded in the Netherlands (33.8%), Belgium (20.5%) and France (19.8%). Values 
are lowest in Romania (1.4%), Finland (2.0%) and Ireland (2.0%). 

60 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 5.6.2 Circular material use rate 

Indicator description  

  Definition: The indicator measures the share of material recycled and fed back into the 
economy – thus avoiding the extraction of primary raw materials – in overall material 
use. The CMU rate, also known as the circularity rate, is defined as the ratio of circular 
use of materials to overall material use. 
Overall material use is measured by summing up the aggregate DMC and the circular 
use  of  materials.  DMC  is  defined  in  economy-wide  material-flow  accounts.  An 
approximate  figure  for  the  circular  use  of  materials  can  be  reached  by  taking  the 
amount  of  waste  recycled  in  domestic  recovery  plants  and  adding  exported  waste 
destined for recovery abroad and then subtracting imported waste destined for recovery. 
Waste  recycled  in  domestic  recovery  plants  comprises  the  recovery  operations  R2  to 
R11.  The  imports  and  exports  of  waste  destined  for  recycling  (i.e.  the  amount  of 
imported and exported waste bound for recovery) are approximated from the European 
statistics on international trade in goods. 

  Interpretation: The CMU rate indicates the amount of domestically collected waste – 
destined for material  recovery in  domestic treatment plants as well as abroad  – that is 
fed  back  into  the  economy  thus  avoiding  the  extraction  of  primary  raw  materials.  A 
higher  rate  means  more  circular  (secondary)  materials  in  the  economy  in  relation  to 
overall  material  use.  A  higher  amount  of  secondary  materials  substituting  for  primary 
raw materials avoids extraction of primary material. 
Member States with very high CMU rates have either high levels of waste recycling or 
low levels of domestic material consumption (DMC) or both. Member States with very 

61 

 
 
 
 
low CMU rates have extremely low levels of waste recovery. This is the main reason for 
their low CMU-rate values. But differences in the circularity rate across Member States 
are due not only to the amount of recycling in each country, but also to structural factors 
in  national  economies.  The  circularity  rate  is  high  if  the  amount  of  waste  recycled  is 
high. However, the circularity  rate could  also  be  high if  DMC is  low, i.e. the  country 
consumes relatively fewer materials (biomass, metals, minerals, fossil fuels, etc.). This 
can occur if domestic extractions of materials for use in the country are low, imports of 
materials for use in the country are low, or exports of domestically extracted materials 
are high. 

  Data source: Eurostat calculations based on waste statistics, material-flow accounts and 
international  trade  statistics.  Data  provider:  Statistical  Office  of  the  European  Union 
(Eurostat).  

Treatment  of  waste  by  waste  category,  hazardousness  and  waste  management 
operations – Eurostat (europa.eu) (env_wastrt) 
Material flow accounts – Eurostat (europa.eu) (env_ac_mfa) 
Overview – International trade in goods – Eurostat (europa.eu) (Comext) 
Waste  statistics  are  available  every  second  year,  but  Eurostat  interpolates  the  data  to 
produce annual CMU estimates.  

References 

  Circular material use rate – calculation method – 2018 edition 
  Circular economy – material flows – Statistics Explained (europa.eu) 
  Circular material use rate – Eurostat (europa.eu) (cei_srm030) 

62 

 
 
 
 
End-of-life recycling input rates  

Relevance for the circular economy 

Secondary  raw  materials  contribute  to  developing  a  robust  circular  economy.  For  most 
materials, the share of secondary raw materials is far below the economy’s demand for these 
materials, even though overall recycling rates for certain materials are relatively high.  

This  indicator  is  unlike  the  indicators  of  the  monitoring  framework  on  waste  management, 
which focus on collection or recycling rates for certain waste streams. Instead, this indicator 
measures the contribution made by recycling to demand for materials by type of material for a 
selected subset of materials. In this sense, this indicator provides complementary information 
to  that  given  in  the  recycling  flow  in  the  Sankey  diagram  on  material  flows  in  the  circular 
economy (i.e. it disaggregates by material type the contribution to material demand made by 
recycling).  

Facts and figures  

The values of the end-of-life recycling input rates (EOL-RIR) have been used as a reference 
for various publications, including the review of the list of critical raw materials (CRMs) in 
2020  (EC,  2020);  the  raw-material  scoreboard  (EC,  2021)  );  and  the  monitoring  framework 
for the circular economy (EC, 2018).  

Table 5.6.1 illustrates a review of the values for the EOL-RIR for these materials, including 
detail on the data sources used for the assessment.  

Values for 2017 refer to the CRM assessment in 2017 and the EU raw-materials scoreboard 
(2018  edition).  The  methodology  and  data-source  ranking  used  to  calculate  the  EOL-RIR 
refer to the revision of the criticality-assessment methodology in 2017 (Blengini et al., 2017). 
Values for 2020 have been estimated based on the same methodology and data sources used 
in  2017 (Blengini et  al.,  2017) and complemented by:  (i) results from  new  Material System 
Analysis, MSA studies (conducted in 2019-2020); and (ii) discussions between the European 
Commission  and  sector  experts,  held  in  particular  during  workshops  to  validate  the  CRM 
assessment in September 2019 in Brussels. 
Values for 2014 refer to the study of the CRM assessment conducted by Oakdene Hollins & 
Fraunhofer ISI (2013). This study asessed the CRM list  using an indicator ‘Recycling Input 
Rate (EoL %)’. This indicator was intended to measure the contribution made by recycling to 
meeting  demand  for  a  certain  material,  and  it  is  conceptually  equivalent  to  the  EOL-RIR. 
However, the study by Oakdene Hollins & Fraunhofer ISI (2013) did not provide details on 
the methodology used for the calculation of this indicator, nor did it provide detail on the data 
sources used. Therefore, the data source for the ‘recycling input rate (EoL %)’, as presented in 
Table  5.6.1  below,  has  been  considered  to  be  a  combination  of:  (i)  references  to  the  UNEP 
(2011)  report;  and  (ii)  data  from  literature  and  industry.  The  only  exceptions  relate  to 
‘gypsum’  and  ‘natural  rubber’,  which  were  not  present  in  the  UNEP  report  from  2011  and 
were therefore based only on data from literature and industry. 

Table 5.6.1 EOL-RIR values used in the assessment of the CRM lists (2014-2023) 

63 

 
 
Sources: UNEP; MSA; literature & industry data 

i) 

ii) 

iii) 

iv) 

Values for the ‘EOL recycling rate’ index as developed for the assessment of the CRM list (2014). Date 
indicated in the header of the table is the year when the estimates were produced. 
Values for the EOL-RIR, as developed for the assessment of the CRM list (2017) and referenced in the 
European Commission Monitoring Framework and the Raw Materials Scoreboard (2018). 
Values for the EOL-RIR, as developed for the assessment of the CRM list (2020) (update February 
2020). 
Values for the EOL-RIR, as developed for the assessment of the CRM list (2023) (update March 2023). 

64 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Indicator description 

  Definition:  The  EOL-RIR  measures,  for  a  given  raw  material,  how  much  of  the 
material’s input into the production system comes from the recycling of ‘old scrap’ (or 
‘end-of-life scrap’) i.e. scrap derived from the treatment of end-of-life products at their 
end-of-life.  The  EOL-RIR  does  not  take  into  account  scrap  that  originates  from 
manufacturing processes (‘new scrap’ or ‘process scrap’). Indeed, process scrap has a 
known  composition  and  is  generally  more  homogeneous  and  not  contaminated  by 
other  substances,  therefore  making  it  easier  and  more  economically  convenient  to 
recycle.  

  Interpretation:  Several  factors  determine  the  EOL-RIR.  The  first  factor  is  demand 
for  raw  materials,  which  tends  to  increase  over  time  for  almost  all  materials.  The 
second factor is the amount of materials in waste that are available to be recycled. The 
presence of these two factors make it difficult to interpret the indicator. In fact, the EU 
can recycle higher amounts of old scrap, but still be characterised by decreasing values 
for  EOL-RIR  because  of  a  sudden  increase  in  the  demand  for  certain  materials  (e.g. 
occurring for several CRMs in some low-carbon or digital technologies). 
Several  materials  (as  bulk  metals)  are  already  largely  and  efficiently  recycled. 
However, their EOL-RIR is still relatively low, mainly because they are embedded in 
long-life  capital  goods,  and  they  will  be  available  for  recycling  only  in  the  future. 
Other materials instead very high EOL-RIR values because demand for – and use of – 
these materials have been drastically reduced by legislative bans. For many materials 
(including  many  CRMs),  the  EOL-RIR  is  null  or  very  low  because  they  have  been 
introduced  only  recently  in  innovative  and  complex  products  (e.g.  e-vehicles, 
renewable  energy  plants,  electronics)  and  technologies  to  recycle  them  are  still  not 
available or not profitable. 

  Data source: The EOL-RIR is part of the methodology to make a list of CRMs 
for the EU, an exercise that  is  carried out  by the Commission every 3  years56. 
Data come from the European Commission’s Material System Analysis Study57 
and 
the  Commission’s  CRM  assessment.  All  estimates  are  based  on 
Commission  studies for  the revision of the CRM  list,  performed  from  2014 to 
2020. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) has proposed rules on the quality of data 
(2018),  and  also  published  both  the Study  on  the  EU’s  list  of  CRMs (2020), 
Study  on  the  Critical  Raw  Materials  for  the  EU  (2023),  analysis  of  CRM  list 
2023  and  the raw-materials  scoreboard. All  the  values  from  these  data  sources 
have  been  peer-reviewed  within  so-called  criticality-validation  workshops  (i.e. 

56 Data are published in the European Commission’s Raw Materials Information System. 
57 http://rmis.jrc.ec.europa.eu/?page=msa-methodology-548216 

65 

 
 
                                                 
 
 
meetings to validate the results for revisions of the CRM list), involving experts 
from industry and academia. Data provider: European Commission. 

References 

EC  (2010).  Critical  raw  materials  for  the  EU  –  Report  of  the  Ad-hoc  Working  Group  on 
defining critical raw materials. 
EC (2017a). Methodology for establishing the EU list of critical raw materials. Guidelines  – 
Study. (https://publications.europa.eu/s/m6D2) 
EC  (2018).  Commission  Staff  Working  Document  Measuring  Progress  Towards  A  Circular 
Economy  In  The  European  Union  –  Key  Indicators  For  A  Monitoring  Framework 
Accompanying  The  Document  Communication  From  The  Commission  To  The  European 
Parliament,  The  Council,  The  European  Economic  And  Social  Committee  And  The 
Committee  Of  The  Regions  On  A  Monitoring  Framework  For  The  Circular  Economy. 
SWD(2018) 17 Final. 
EC (2020) CRM list 2020 
EC (2023) Study on the Critical Raw Materials for the EU 2023 – Final Report 
EC (2023) CRM list 2023 
EC (2021) Raw materials Scoreboard 2021 
Critical Raw Materials 
Raw Materials Information System 
Study on the EU’s list of Critical Raw Materials (2020) 
Raw Materials Scoreboard (europa.eu) (2021) 
Contribution of recycled materials to raw-material demand – end-of-life recycling input rates 
(EOL-RIR) – Eurostat (europa.eu) (cei_srm010) 

66 

 
 
 
 
5.7.  Trade in recyclable raw materials  

Relevance for the circular economy 

A  circular  economy  seeks  to  recycle  residual  materials  and  re-introduce  them  into  the 
economy  as  new  raw  materials.  These  materials  are  then  called  ‘secondary  raw  materials’. 
This has several benefits, both in reducing waste and in increasing the security of supply of 
raw  materials.  An  accurate  picture  of  the  European  raw-materials  sector  must  include:  (i) 
movements  of  raw  materials  originating  from  waste  (i.e.  secondary  raw  materials)  crossing 
European boundaries both as imports and exports; and (ii) intra-EU trade. 

The indicator measures the quantities of recyclable waste and scrap as well as other secondary 
raw  materials  (by-products)  that  are  shipped  between  EU  Member  States  (intra-EU)  and 
across EU borders (extra-EU). 

Many  non-hazardous  waste  streams  are  regarded  as  valuable  resources  because  they  are 
potentially  a  significant  source  of  raw  materials.  Overall,  cross-border  movements  of 
recyclable waste have significantly increased in the last decade and may contribute to circular 
economy objectives by maintaining the value of products, materials and resources for as long 
as possible. 

This indicator is clearly relevant for obtaining a picture of trends in the markets for selected 
secondary raw materials, at both national and EU levels. 

To  provide  an  accurate  picture  of  the  European  raw-materials  sector  and  the  provenance  of 
secondary materials used by EU industries, this revised indicator includes more materials. In 
addition to the five categories of products included in the previous version of the monitoring 
framework  (‘iron  and  steel’,  ‘copper,  aluminium  and  nickel’,  ‘precious  metals’,  ‘paper  and 
cardboard’  and  ‘plastics  –  including  rubber’),  it  now  includes  ‘glass’,  ‘wood’,  ‘textiles’, 
‘minerals’  and  ‘animal  and  vegetal’  products.  The  new  total  includes  all  the  products 
considered  waste  or  by-products  (see  the  list  in  the  section  definition).  This  means  that  the 
amounts  of  the  categories  previously  included  in  the  indicator  do  not  change,  but  the  total 
number of categories increases. 

Facts and figures 

In  2021, exports of  recyclable  raw  materials  –  which  include  recyclable  waste  and  scrap  as 
well  as  other  secondary  raw  materials  (by-products)  –  from  the  EU  to  non-EU 
countries amounted to 37.6 million tonnes, 1.0 million tonnes more than in 2020.  There has 
been an upward trend in the volume of these exports since 2004, reaching a new peak in 2021 
with an 67% increase compared with 2004 (+15.0 million tonnes). 

Imports of  recyclable  raw  materials  from  non-EU  countries  into  the EU amounted  to 
41.4 million tonnes in 2021, an increase of almost 1.6 million tonnes compared with 2020 and 
a decrease of 5% compared with 2004 (-2.2 million tonnes). 

67 

 
 
 
 
Figure 5.7.1 EU trade in recyclable raw materials, 2004-2021 

EU trade in recyclable raw materials 
(million tonnes)

50

40

30

20

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Source: Eurostat online database (cei_srm020) 

import

export

In  2021,  exports  of  ferrous  metals  (iron  and  steel)  from  the  EU  amounted  to  19.5  million 
tonnes,  accounting  for  almost  half  (52%)  of  all  exports  of  recyclable  raw-materials.  The 
second-largest  category  was  products  of  animal  and  vegetal  origin  (4.5  million  tonnes  of 
which were exported, or 12% of all exports of recyclable raw-materials), followed by paper 
and cardboard (4.4 million tonnes or 12%).  

For  imports  to  the  EU,  the  largest  category  was  products  of  animal  and  vegetal  origin 
(24.8 million tonnes of which were imported in 2021), accounting for more than half (60%) of 
all imports of recyclable raw materials. The second-largest category was ferrous metals (iron 
and steel) at 5.5 million tonnes (or 13% of all imports of recyclable raw materials), followed 
by minerals at 4.0 million tonnes (10% of all imports of recyclable raw materials). 

Figure 5.7.2 EU trade in recyclable raw materials selected by category, 2021  

68 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Indicator description 

  Definition: The indicator measures the quantities of recyclable waste and scrap as well 
as  other  secondary  raw  materials  (by-products)  that  are  shipped  between  EU  Member 
States (intra-EU) and across EU borders (extra-EU). 

The indicator includes the following variables: 

o 

o 

intra-EU trade of selected recyclable raw materials (measured by imports from 
EU countries to each other); 
imports  from  non-EU  countries  and  exports  to  non-EU  countries  of  selected 
recyclable raw materials (extra-EU trade). 

Data  are  disaggregated  by  EU  Member  State  and  by  category  of  material,  following 
the table of correspondence between products (CN-codes) and materials. 

This  data  set  is  based  on  the  international  trade-in-goods  statistics  published  by 
Eurostat.  The  data  measure  the  physical  quantity  of  both  goods  traded  between  EU 
Member States (intra-EU trade) and goods traded by EU Member States with non-EU 
countries  (extra-EU  trade).  ‘European’  means  that  the  statistics  are  compiled  on  the 
basis of the concepts and definitions set out in EU legislation. ‘National’ statistics, i.e. 
statistics published at national level by the Member States, are compiled on the basis of 
national rules which may differ from EU rules. 

Product  coverage:  The  scope  of  the  ‘recyclable  raw  material’  is  defined  and 
approximately  measured  by  using  relevant  product  codes  selected  from  the  list  of 
Combined Nomenclature codes used in international trade-in-goods statistics. 

  Interpretation:  The  indicator  provides  an  accurate  picture  of  the  trade  flows  of  a 
number of waste streams that could be recycled into secondary raw materials. However, 
this  indicator  only  covers  legal  exports  of  waste  materials.  Due  to  their  nature,  illegal 

69 

 
 
 
 
waste  shipments  are  not  tracked  in  official  reporting  systems.  However,  there  is 
extensive evidence that the amount of illegally exported waste is significant, and that for 
some categories of waste such as end-of-life vehicles or WEEE these amounts may even 
be higher than the amount of legal exports. 

  Data source: International trade-in-goods statistics. Data provider: Statistical Office of 

the European Union (Eurostat).  

Trade in recyclable raw materials by partner – Eurostat (europa.eu) (env_trdrrm) 
Easy Comext (europa.eu) 

References 

Overview – International trade in goods – Eurostat (europa.eu) 
International trade statistics – background – Statistics Explained (europa.eu) 
Trade in recyclable raw materials – Eurostat (europa.eu) (cei_srm020) 

70 

 
 
 
 
COMPETITIVENESS AND INNOVATION 

5.8.  Private investment, jobs and gross value added related to circular-

economy sectors 

Relevance for the circular economy 

Innovation and investments (in eco-design, secondary raw materials, recycling processes and 
industrial symbiosis) are a key element of the transition to a circular economy.  

A circular economy can make a significant contribution to the creation of jobs and economic 
growth,  while  reducing  inequalities  and  enhancing  collective  resilience.  Sectors  that  are 
closely related to  the circular economy  (such as recycling, repair and reuse) are particularly 
job intensive, and contribute to local employment. The patterns of growth in both jobs and in 
the  sale  of  goods/services  will  indicate  whether  the  transition  to  a  circular  economy  is 
delivering the expected results. 

Facts and figures 

a)  Private investment 

In  2015,  there  was  EUR  84  billion  in  private  investment  in  circular-economy  sectors  in  the 
EU (0.7% of EU GDP). In 2021, private investment rose to EUR 121.6 billion (0.8% of EU 
GDP), an increase of 45% compared with 2015 (around 37.6 billion).  

The  share  of  private  investment  in  circular-economy  sectors  differs  greatly  across  Member 
States, ranging from 0.1% of GDP in Greece to 1.4% in Belgium and Austria. In addition to 
Belgium and Austria, three other Member States  (Malta, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands) 
have  shares  of  private  investment  in  the  circular  economy  that  are  above  1%  of  GDP.  16 
Member States have a share of between 0.5% and 0.9%. Cyprus and Slovenia had shares of 
0.2% in 2021.  

In  2015-2021,  private  investment  in  the  circular  economy  increased  considerably  in  most 
Member  States.  Over  this  period,  private  investment  in  the  circular  economy  increased  the 
most  in  Ireland  (+515%),  Lithuania  (+101%)  and  Germany  (+94%)  in  percentage  terms. 
Compared to GDP, the share of private investment in the circular economy increased by 0.4 
percentage points in both Ireland (from 0.2% to 0.6%) and Germany (from 0.5% to 0.9%).  

71 

 
 
 
 
Figure 5.8.1. Gross investment in tangible goods related to circular-economy sectors (% 
GDP at current prices), 2015 and 2021 

b)  Employment 

In  2021,  there  were  almost  4.3  million  people  employed  in  circular-economy  sectors  in  the 
EU i.e. 2.1% of all people in employment. This is an increase of around 11% compared with 
2015. Employment in the circular economy increased in most Member States, both in absolute 
and relative terms, between 2012 and 2021.  

Croatia, Latvia and Lithuania had the most people working in the circular economy as a share 
of total employment in 2021, with more than 3.1% (Croatia) and 2.8% (Latvia and Lithuania) 
of employed people working in the circular economy. However, in absolute terms, Germany 
has the most people employed in the circular economy (more than 785 000), followed by Italy 
and France (around 613 000 and 524 000 respectively).  

According  to  the  available  data,  total  employment  growth  in  circular-economy  sectors 
between 2012 and 2021 was particularly strong in Cyprus (up 58.1%), Ireland (up 43%) and 
Estonia (up 32.4%). 

72 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 5.8.2 People employed in circular-economy sectors (share of total people 
employed), 2015 and 2021 

c)  Gross value added  

In 2021, the circular-economy sectors generated gross value added of around EUR 299 billion 
in  the  EU  (i.e.  around  2.1%  of  overall  GDP  in  the  EU).  Gross  value  added  in  the  circular-
economy sectors increased by around 27% in the EU in 2015-2021, and slightly increased (by 
10%) as a share of EU GDP. 

Gross value added  in the circular-economy sectors (as a share of GDP) differs greatly among 
the  Member  States.  According  to  the  latest  available  figures,  Malta  and  Ireland  have  the 
highest  share  of  gross  value  added  as  a  percentage  of  GDP  in  circular-economy  sectors,  at 
2.9% of GDP and they are followed by Italy with 2.5% and Croatia and Germany both with 
2.2%.  

In 2015-2021, the gross value added in circular-economy sectors increased by almost 115% in 
Malta, and by 73.1% in Lithuania. Malta also saw the highest increase in gross value added in 
circular-economy  sectors  as  a  share  of  GDP  with  an  increase  of  45  percentage  points, 
followed by Croatia with an increase of 22 percentage points 

73 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 5.8.3 Gross value added at factor cost in circular-economy sectors (% GDP), 
2015 and 2021 

Indicator description 

  Definition: The indicator includes the following three variables: ‘Private investments’, 

‘Persons employed’ and ‘Gross value added’. 

74 

 
 
 
 
The  indicator  is  calculated  with  a  methodological  framework  according  to  the 
following three steps. 

1.  Conceptual  framework.  The  delineation  of  economic  activities  related  to  the 
circular economy  was determined by means of a sector classification  based on 
the purpose of each sector.  

2.  The  relevant  activities  were  identified  and  matched  against  the  integrated 
system  of  economic  classification,  drawing  upon  existing  lists  of  goods  and 
services for the environmental sector. This list presents the identified economic 
activities  corresponding  to  the  classifications  seen  in  NACE,  CPA  and 
PRODCOM,  and  also  features  a  suitable  estimation  procedure  for  each 
economic-activity code. 

3.  Delineation  and  data  compilation.  The  estimation  procedure  and  methods  to 
compile  the  variables  can  be  found  in  the  report  included  in  the  annex  of  this 
staff working document. 

  Interpretation: Based on the described procedure for data compilation,  the following 

variables are calculated: 

a)  gross investments in tangible goods, in million euro; 
b)  persons employed, in full time equivalents (FTEs); 
c)  gross value added, in million euro (at factor cost). 

  Data  source:  Eurostat  calculations  based  on  official  statistics  such  as  structural 
business statistics (SBS), PRODCOM, national accounts, the Labour Force Survey and 
others. Data provider: Statistical Office of the European Union (Eurostat). 
SBS  cover  all  activities  of  enterprises  for  sections  B  to  N  and  division  S95  of 
classification NACE Rev.2. The SBS variable of interest for the compilation of sector 
market  output  is  the  production  value.  This  variable  is  available  at  NACE  class  level 
(four  digits).  The  SBS  also  collect  data  on  gross  value  added,  number  of  employees, 
and  gross  fixed  capital  formation  among  others,  which  are  drawn  upon  for  the 
compilation of the sector accounts. 
National  accounts  are  an  important  source  for  compiling  sector  statistics,  and  should 
provide the definitions and valuation principles for the characteristics (e.g. output, gross 
value added, employment) for the sector accounts. 
PRODCOM statistics (PRODuction COMmunautaire) provide data on both the physical 
volume of production and the monetary value of the production of manufactured goods 
from NACE sections B (mining and quarrying) and C (manufacturing) sold during the 
survey period. The main difference between SBS and PRODCOM is that SBS relates to 
economic activities (e.g. the activity of the producers), whereas PRODCOM relates to 
products (e.g. the output delivered by the producers). The  national statistical institutes 
conduct  surveys  of  enterprises  to  collect  the  data  using  the  PRODCOM  lists  of 
products. Data on the value of the production sold are published. 
The  Labour  Force  Survey  provides  estimates  of  labour-market  characteristics  such  as 
employment,  unemployment,  inactivity,  hours  of  work,  occupation,  economic  activity 
important  socio-demographic 
and  other 

labour-related  variables,  as  well  as 

75 

 
 
 
characteristics,  such  as  sex,  age,  education,  household  characteristics  and  regions  of 
residence. 
Other  sources  are  also  used  to  estimate  gross  value  added  as  a  share  of  GDP,  such 
as: energy  statistics,  waste  statistics,  forestry  statistics,  climate-change  statistics  and 
transport statistics. 

References 

Business economy by sector – NACE Rev. 2 – Statistics Explained (europa.eu) 
Structural business statistics – Statistics Explained (europa.eu) 
Private  investment  and  gross  value  added  related  to  circular  economy  sectors-  Eurostat 
(europa.eu) (cei_cie010) 
Persons employed in circular-economy sectors – Eurostat (europa.eu) (cei_cie011) 

76 

 
 
 
 
 
5.9.  Innovation 

Patents related to waste management and recycling 

Relevance for the circular economy 

Innovation  plays  a  key  role  in  the  transition  towards  a  circular  economy,  and  in  the 
development  of  new  technologies,  processes,  services  and  business  models.  Developing 
innovative techniques for waste collection, cleaner transportation and mobility, storage – and 
in particular for recycling of materials – will help to reduce the EU’s dependence on imports 
of critical commodities. It will also improve the EU’s resilience to potential disruptions to the 
supply of materials and will support the competitiveness of domestic industries. 

The number of patent families in waste collection, transportation, storage and recycling gives 
an indication of the innovation activity in technologies for recycling and reuse of materials in 
both  the  EU  and  the  world  more  broadly.  Patent  statistics  are  one  of  the  indicator  families 
widely used to  assess technological  progress  in  a specific industrial  sector. They  are widely 
accepted as output-oriented indicators on innovation.  

Facts and figures  

In the EU, the total number of annual patents filed that are related to recycling and secondary 
raw materials increased from 259 to 295 (+14%) between 2000 and 2019 (Figure 5.9.1).  

Figure 5.9.1 EU patents related to waste management and recycling (number), 2000-
2019  

In the EU in 2019, the most patents per million inhabitants were filed in Finland, followed by 
Luxembourg, Ireland, the Netherlands, Austria and Germany. 

77 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure  5.9.2  Patents  related  to  waste  management  and  recycling  (patents  per  million 
inhabitants), 2000-2019  

Indicator description (definition, interpretation and data source) 

  Definition:  The  indicator  measures  the  number  of  patents  related  to  recycling  and 
secondary  raw  materials.  The  attribution  of  patents  to  recycling  and  secondary  raw 
materials  was  made  using  the  relevant  codes  in  the  Cooperative  Patent  Classification 
(CPC).  The  CPC  scheme  has  been  simplified,  with  codes  reclassified  to  the  relevant 
parent  categories.  The  full  list  of  changes  is  provided  in  the Cooperative  Patent 
Classification website. 
The term ‘patents’ refers to patent families, which includes all documents relevant to a 
distinct  invention  (e.g.  applications  to  multiple  authorities),  thus  preventing  multiple 
counting.  A  fraction  of  the  family  is  allocated  to  each  applicant  and  relevant 
technology. 

  Interpretation:  Although  the  indicator  provides  insight  into  the  most  relevant 
innovative  recycling  technologies,  it  does  not  cover  all  technologies  related  to  waste 
management. It also does not include other services and business models in the circular 
economy. It must also be highlighted that not all relevant innovations are – or can be – 
patented. 

  Data  source:  European  Patent  Office  (EPO).  Data  provider:  Data  extracted  by  the 
European Commission JRC): Analysis of the online database PATSTAT, which is the 
Worldwide Patents Database managed by the EPO.  

References 

JRC, Monitoring R&I in Low-Carbon Energy Technologies 

78 

 
 
 
List of CPC codes used for indicator calculation 
Patents related to recycling and secondary raw materials – Eurostat (europa.eu) (cei_cie020) 

79 

 
 
 
GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE 

5.10. 

Global sustainability from the circular economy 

a)  Consumption footprint  

Relevance for the circular economy 

The  Consumption  Footprint58  addresses  the  environmental  impacts  of  consumption, 
considering  both  domestic  and  spill-over/transboundary  environmental  impacts  through 
imported  goods..  Circular-economy  strategies  to  change  both  consumption  patterns  and  the 
environmental profile of products might help to reduce the EU’s consumption footprint. Such 
strategies  could  be  strengthened  by  increasing  trade  aiming  to  maximise  the  potential  of 
reusable products, recycling capacities and secondary raw materials. 

Facts and figures 

The EU’s consumption footprint increased between 2010 and 2021 by 4%. This indicator is 
measured  in  the  number  of  times  that  the  planetary  boundary  has  been  transgressed.  The 
Commission  estimates  that  the  EU  has  clearly  transgressed  planetary  boundaries  for  four 
impacts  (particulate  matter,  ecotoxicity  in  freshwater,  climate  change,  and  the  use  of  fossil-
based  resources).  The  Commission  remains  uncertain  as  to  whether  we  have  transgressed 
planetary boundaries for the use of mineral and metal resources.  

Figure 5.10.1 Consumption footprint (single score) (2010 = 100), 2021  

58 Sanye Mengual, E., and Sala, S., Consumption Footprint and Domestic Footprint: Assessing the environmental 
impacts of EU consumption and production, EUR 31390 EN, Publications Office of the European Union, 
Luxembourg, 2023, ISBN 978-92-76-61754-9, doi:10.2760/218540, JRC128571. 

80 

 
 
 
                                                 
 
 
Figure 5.10.2 – Assessment of the EU’s consumption footprint against planetary 
boundaries (including individual indicators and single score), 2010-2021 

81 

 
 
 
 
Indicator description 

  Definition:  The  indicator  estimates  the  environmental  impacts  of  overall  EU  and 
individual Member State consumption by combining data on consumption intensity and 
the environmental impacts of the life cycle of representative products. 
The consumption footprint is a set of 16 indicators based on lifecycle assessments (also 
available individually). The purpose of these indicators is to quantify the environmental 
impacts  of consumption  at  EU and Member State level.  The consumption footprint  is 
based  on  a  combination  of:  (i)  emissions  to  air,  soil  and  water;  and  (ii)  the  resources 
used  along  the  lifecycle  of  roughly  160  representative  products  (and  the  consumption 
intensities  of  those  products)  in  5  areas  of  consumption  (food,  mobility,  housing, 
household  goods,  and  appliances).  This  combination  is  then  analysed  using  the 
environmental-footprint  impact-assessment  method59,,  which  translates  emissions  and 
resource consumption into potential environmental impacts. 

59 Saouter, E., Biganzoli, F., Ceriani, L., Versteeg, D., Crenna, E., Zampori, L., Sala, S, Pant, R. (2018). 
Environmental Footprint: Update of Life Cycle Impact Assessment Methods – Ecotoxicity freshwater, human 

82 

 
 
 
                                                 
 
 
 
 
  Interpretation:  This  indicator  captures  changes  in  the  environmental  impacts  due  to 
consumption  patterns.  The  consumption  perspective  of  the  indicator  considers  both 
domestic  production/consumption  and  trade  (imports  and  exports)  by  assessing  the 
entire supply-chain of products. The indicator gives insight into: (i) the environmental 
impacts  of  consumption;  (ii)  the  contribution  made  to  overall  consumption  impact  by 
different areas of consumption; and (iii) the contribution made to overall consumption 
impact  by  different  products.  This  makes  it  possible  to  assess  the  decoupling  of 
environmental  impacts  from  economic  growth  and  evaluate  current  environmental 
impacts against planetary boundaries, i.e. science-based ecological thresholds. 

  Data source: JRC.  

Consumption Footprint Platform on Lifecycle Assessment 

References  

the  European  Union,  Luxembourg,  2023, 

Sanye Mengual, E., and Sala, S., Consumption Footprint and Domestic Footprint: Assessing 
the environmental impacts of EU consumption and production, EUR 31390 EN, Publications 
Office  of 
ISBN  978-92-76-61754-9, 
doi:10.2760/218540, JRC128571. 
JRC Science for policy report: Consumption and Domestic Footprint 
Consumption Footprint Platform – Introduction and policy context 
European platform on lifecycle assessment 
Consumption footprint – Eurostat (europa.eu) (cei_gsr010) 

toxicity cancer, and non-cancer. EUR 29495 EN, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 
ISBN 978-92-79-98182-1, doi: 10.2760/178544, EC- JRC114227. 

83 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                         
 
 
 
b)  GHG emissions from production activities 

Relevance for the circular economy 

The  circular  economy  is  interlinked  with  climate  change  mitigation.  Extractions  of  natural 
resources  along  the  production  chain  are  responsible  for  some  emissions  of  GHGs.  Waste 
creates  GHGs,  either  directly  (e.g.  if  waste  is  incinerated  or  landfilled)  or  indirectly  (if  the 
used products cannot be reused, repaired, or recycled., etc and thus we need to manufacture 
new  products).  A  circular  economy  with  greater  use  of  secondary  raw  materials  produces 
fewer GHG emissions. The EU’s ambition is to reduce EU GHG emissions by at least 55% by 
2030, compared to 1990 levels, and to reach climate neutrality (no net emissions of GHGs) by 
2050. 

To  achieve  our  decarbonisation  objectives,  emissions  must  be  reduced in  all  sectors,  from 
industry to energy, and from transport to farming.  

Facts and figures  

GHG emissions generated by economic producers in the EU have decreased in recent  years, 
falling from 8.6 tonnes per inhabitant in 2008 to 6.4 tonnes per inhabitant in 2021. 

Figure  5.10.3  EU  GHG  emissions  from  production  activities  (kg  CO2-equivalent  per 
capita), 2008-2021 

84 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Among  the  EU  Member  States,  the  volume  of  GHGs  emitted  by  various  producers  varies 
considerably. These differences are partly due to different  economic structures and different 
mixes  of  renewable  and  non-renewable  energy  sources.  In  13  EU  Member  States, 
manufacturing  was  the  main  emitter  of  GHGs  in  2021,  while  in  8  other  Member  States 
businesses supplying electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning were the main emitters. In a 
further 3 countries Member States, transportation and storage activities were the main source 
of GHG emissions.  

In  2021,  all  Member  States  have  reduced  their  GHG  emissions  from  production  activities, 
measured  in  kg  CO2-equivalents  per  capita,  compared  with  2008  levels,  except  for  Ireland, 
Lithuania and Luxembourg. 

Figure  5.10.4  GHG  emissions  from  production  activities  (kg  CO2-equivalents  per 
capita), 2008 and 2021 

Indicator description 

types  of 

fluorinated  gases 

  Definition: GHGs are carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), and 
(hydrofluorocarbons  or  HFCs),  namely 

three 
perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3). 
The indicator includes emissions of GHGs in the EU by all emitting economic activities, 
including  international  transport,  and  excluding  emissions  by  households  for  heating, 
transportation and other purposes.  

85 

 
 
 
 
 
  Interpretation:  The  indicator  is  measured  in  kilograms  of  CO2  equivalent  per  capita. 
Each GHG has a different capacity to cause global warming, depending on its radiative 
properties, molecular weight, and the length of time it remains in the atmosphere. The 
global-warming  potential  of  each  gas  is  calculated  in  relation  to  a  given  weight  of 
carbon dioxide for a set time period (for the purpose of the Kyoto Protocol, a period of 
100  years). The weighting  factors currently used are the  following:  carbon dioxide=1, 
methane=25,  nitrous  oxide=298,  and  sulfur  hexafluoride=22  800.  Hydrofluorocarbons 
and  perfluorocarbons  comprise  a  large  number  of  different  gases  that  have  different 
global-warming potentials. 

  Data source: Air-emissions accounts based on  Regulation (EU) No 691/2011 of the 
European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  on  European  environmental-economic 
accounts.  This  data  source  classifies  the  GHG  by  emitting  economic  activities  This 
indicator  only  includes  the  GHG  by  economic  producers.  Air  emission  accounts  are 
suited  for  integrated  environmental-economic  analyses  such  as  calculating  emission 
intensities  or  ‘footprints’.  Data  provider:  Statistical  Office  of  the  European  Union 
(Eurostat), based on data reported by national authorities. 

Air-emissions  accounts  by  NACE  Rev.  2  activity  –  Eurostat  (europa.eu) 
(env_ac_ainah_r2). 

References 

Greenhouse-gas emission statistics – air-emissions accounts – Statistics Explained (europa.eu) 
Climate change – driving forces – Statistics Explained (europa.eu) 
SDG 13 – Climate action – Statistics Explained (europa.eu) 
Greenhouse-gas emissions from production activities – Eurostat (europa.eu) (cei_gsr011) 

86 

 
 
 
 
 
 
5.11. 

Resilience from the circular economy 

a)  Material import dependency 

Relevance for the circular economy 

‘Material import dependency’ is the extent to which an economy relies upon imports to meet 
its material needs. The EU’s material import dependency has long been a topic of discussion. 
The  current  geopolitical  events  highlight  the  vital  importance  of  controlling  and  decreasing 
de-risking import dependency, especially forfor fossil-energy materials. Energy security tops 
the EU’s agenda and the circular use of materials can reduce the risks faced by the EU and 
increase the automomy of the EU and its resilience against supply chain disruptions. 

Facts and figures  

In  2021,  the  EU’s  material  import  dependency  was  22.9%,  up  from  21.1%  in  2000.  The 
EU  economy  is  almost  self-sufficient  in  the  supply  of  non-metallic  minerals  (construction 
materials)  and  biomass,  with  import  dependencies  in  these  categories  of  just  over  3%  and 
around  12%  respectively.  For  metal  ores  and  fossil-energy  materials,  the  EU  is  highly 
dependent on imports from the rest of the world (around 52% and almost 71% respectively). 
The largest increase in material import dependency between 2000 and 2021 was for biomass 
and fossil-energy materials. 

Figure 5.11.1 EU material-import dependency, by material category (percentage), 2000-
2021 

Indicator description 

  Definition: This dataset is calculated as the ratio of imports over direct material inputs 
expressed  as  a  percentage.  This  ratio  is  calculated  for  all  the  materials  and  for  four 

87 

 
 
 
categories  of materials:  biomass,  metal  ores,  non-metallic minerals  and fossil  energy 
materials. 

  Interpretation: Material import dependency cannot be negative or higher than 100%. 
Values  equal  to  100%  indicate  that  there  were  no  domestic  extractions  during  the 
reference year. 

  Data  source:  Environmental-economic  accounts,  material-flow  accounts  based  on 
Regulation  (EU)  No  691/2011  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council.  Data 
provider: Statistical Office of the European Union (Eurostat). 
Material import dependency – Eurostat (europa.eu) (env_ac_mid)  

References 

Material flow accounts and resource productivity – Statistics Explained (europa.eu) 
Physical imports and exports – Statistics Explained (europa.eu) 
Material import dependency – Eurostat (europa.eu) (cei_gsr030) 

88 

 
 
 
b)  EU self sufficiency for raw materials 

Relevance for the circular economy 

Raw  materials  are  essential  for  the  functioning  of  the  EU’s  economy.  A  wide  variety  of 
industrial sectors depend on the secure supply of raw materials, typically through a diversified 
mixture  of  domestic  extraction,  recycling  and  imports.  The  EU’s  circular-economy  action 
plan  targets  specific  actions  in  the  area  of  CRMs.  CRMs  are  materials  that  are  of  high 
economic importance for the EU and vulnerable to  supply disruption.  In certain  cases,  their 
extraction  also  causes  significant  environmental  impacts,  and  so  their  critical  economic 
importance  can  also  have  significant  environmental  policy  implications.  Increasing  the 
recovery of CRMs is one of the key challenges to be addressed in the move to a more circular 
economy. 

The composite indicator provides the weighted average as a benchmark at the disaggregated 
level of data for each type of material. It also provides interesting insights into the differences 
between materials (for example, the EU is much more self-sufficient in certain CRMs than in 
others). 

 Facts and figures  

The EU’s degree of self-sufficiency is different for each raw material. For some raw materials 
such as copper or limestone,  the EU is  largely self-sufficient.  This  is  also the case for  most 
non-metallic minerals60. 

At the extraction stage, for a number of bulk materials,  (such as aluminium, copper or iron), 
the EU's self-sufficiency at the extraction phase varies between 11% and 52%. For some 
of these materials, the EU’s self-sufficiency for processing stands at between 50% and 100%. 
For fluorspar and indium, the EU is 100% self-sufficient for processing, and the EU is almost 
95% self-sufficient for processing iron. 

For  most  CRMs,  there  is  a  major  supply  risk,  typically  linked  to  geopolitical  risks  in  some 
countries.  In  most  cases,  the  supply  from  recycling  for  these  materials  is  relatively  low 
compared  to  total  demand  (see  indicator  7a).  This  is  mostly  because  primary  extraction  is 
often  more  economic  than  recycling,  since  these  materials  are  used  in  very  small  quantities 
(making collection and separation costly) and/or because it is often difficult to recycle these 
materials at sufficient degrees of purity.  

60 See also the Raw Materials Scoreboard, indicator 3 on share of imports. 

89 

 
 
 
 
                                                 
 
 
Figure 5.11.2 Self-sufficiency for selected raw materials (percentage), 2022 

Indicator description 

  Definition:  The  self-sufficiency  indicator  measures  the  degree  to  which  the  EU  is 

independent from the rest of the world for the supply of several raw materials. 
The  indicator  is  calculated  based  on  yearly  quantity  data  for  domestic  production, 
exports and imports, using the formula: self-sufficiency = 1 - (net) import reliance, 
where 
the EU  Critical  Raw  Materials 
methodology as net imports/(net imports+domestic production): 

is  defined 

reliance 

import 

(IR) 

in 

90 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
The computations for the self-sufficiency indicator have been conducted at the first two 
stages of the value chain: extraction (E) and processing (P) for most of the materials. 
The values of the self-sufficiency indicator could range from 0% to 100%, in the same 
interval  as  import  reliance,  since  any  value  outside  this  range  cannot  be  interpreted 
(there  is  no  such  thing  as  negative  self-sufficiency,  nor  can  self-sufficiency  exceed 
100% for a specific material). 

  Interpretation: For certain raw materials, the EU is more self-sufficient than for others. 
The  data  source  makes  it  possible  to  disaggregate  self  sufficiency  by  material.  Due  to 
increasing demand for certain materials (such as silicon, copper, tellurium and indium), 
even if 100% of materials were recycled, the EU would still not be self-sufficient.  
The indicator should be considered in a broader context of potential supply disruption in 
economically sensitive key areas. Self-sufficiency for raw materials, in combination with 
an analysis of the source countries for these materials, can help to assess supply risks for 
these materials. 

  Data source: JRC based on production data and trade data. 

o  Production  data,  taken  from  the  specialised  international  data  providers:  World 
Mining Data and British Geological Survey. In these sources, production is available 
by  material  and  country.  Data  at  EU  level  has  been  computed  by  summing-up  the 
production data of individual Member States. 

o  Trade data, taken from COMEXT (source: Eurostat) – the quantity of imports and 
exports  for  each  raw  material.  At  EU  level,  extra-EU  trade  data  are  used.  To 
calculate the indicator at Member State level, the individual country data for imports 
and exports are used. 

Data provider: JRC 

References 

Critical raw materials (europa.eu) 
Raw materials information system 
EU self-sufficiency for raw materials – Eurostat (europa.eu) (cei_gsr020) 

91 

 
 
 
 
 
 Annexes 

Annex 1 - Member States acronyms 

AT 

BE 

BG 

CY 

CZ 

DE 

DK 

EE 

EL 

ES 

FI 

FR 

HR 

HU 

IE 

IT 

LT 

LU 

LV 

MT 

NL 

PL 

PT 

RO 

SE 

SI 

SK 

Austria 

Belgium 

Bulgaria 

Cyprus 

Czech Republic 

Germany 

Denmark 

Estonia 

Greece 

Spain 

Finland 

France 

Croatia 

Hungary 

Ireland 

Italy 

Lithuania 

Luxembourg 

Latvia 

Malta 

The Netherlands 

Poland 

Portugal 

Romania 

Sweden 

Slovenia 

Slovakia 

92 

 
 
 
 
Annex 2 - List of good and services for the indicator "private investment, jobs and gross value added related to circular 
economy sector" 

Circular Economy 
Sector: good or 
service description 

Filter Gravel for water and 
wastewater filtration 

NACE 
Rev. 
2 
(2008) 
08.12 

Collection of waste 
resulting from the 
extraction of raw 
materials;  
Collection of waste 
resulting from the 
extraction of raw 
materials;  
Paper recycling 

Ozone for water 
desinfection 
Chlorine for water 
desinfection 
Recyclate from waste 
plastic 
Recyclate from waste 
plastic 

09 

09 

17.1 

20.11 

20.13 

20.16 

20.16 

NACE Description 

CPA 
(2008) 

CPA Description 

PRODCOM 
(2019) 

Prodcom Description 

Operation of gravel and sand 
pits; mining of clays and 
kaolin 

08.12.12  Granules, chippings and 
powder; pebbles, gravel 

08121210 

Mining support service 
activities 

09.90.19  Support services to other 

0710 

mining and quarrying n.e.c. 

Gravel and pebbles of a kind 
used for concrete aggregates, 
for road metalling or for 
railway or other ballast; 
shingle and flint 
Mining of iron ores 

Mining support service 
activities 

09.90.19  Support services to other 

0729 

mining and quarrying n.e.c. 

Mining of other non-ferrous 
metal ores 

Manufacture of pulp, paper 
and paperboard 
Manufacture of industrial 
gases 
Manufacture of other 
inorganic basic chemicals 
Manufacture of plastics in 
primary forms 
Manufacture of plastics in 
primary forms 

17.1 

Manufacture of pulp, paper 
and paperboard 
20.11.11  Hydrogen, argon, rare gases, 

171 

20111170 

Manufacture of pulp, paper 
and paperboard 
Oxygen 

nitrogen and oxygen 

20.13.21  Metalloids 

20132111 

Chlorine 

20.16.1 

20.16.4 

Polymers of ethylene, in 
primary forms 
Polyacetals, other polyethers 
and epoxide resins, in primary 
forms; polycarbonates, alkyd 
resins, polyallyl esters and 

201610 

201640 

Polymers of ethylene, in 
primary forms 
Polyacetals, other polyethers 
and epoxide resins, in primary 
forms; polycarbonates, alkyd 
resins, polyallyl esters and 

93 

 
 
 
Circular Economy 
Sector: good or 
service description 

NACE 
Rev. 
2 
(2008) 

Recyclate from waste 
plastic 
Recyclate from waste 
plastic 
Activated carbon for water 
filtering purposes 
Retreading of tyres 

Camel-back strips for 
retreading rubber tyres 

Manufacture of reclaimed 
rubber in primary forms or 
in plates, sheets or strip;  
Sewage infrastructure: 
sieve/trench drain 
strainer/Perforated 
buckets and similar 
articles used to filter water 
at the entrance to sewage 
drains; 
Recycled glass 

Lime for waste water 
treatment plant; Flue gas 
desulfurization of thermal 
treatment plants 

20.16 

20.16 

20.59 

22.11 

22.11 

22.19 

22.29 

23.13 

23.52 

NACE Description 

CPA 
(2008) 

CPA Description 

PRODCOM 
(2019) 

Prodcom Description 

Manufacture of plastics in 
primary forms 
Manufacture of plastics in 
primary forms 
Manufacture of other chemical 
products n.e.c. 
Manufacture of rubber tyres 
and tubes; retreading and 
rebuilding of rubber tyres 
Manufacture of rubber tyres 
and tubes; retreading and 
rebuilding of rubber tyres 
Manufacture of other rubber 
products 

Manufacture of other plastic 
products 

other polyesters, in primary 
forms 

other polyesters, in primary 
forms 

20.16.51  Polymers of propylene or of 

201651 

other olefins, in primary forms 
20.16.54  Polyamides, in primary forms 

201654 

Polymers of propylene or of 
other olefins, in primary forms 
Polyamides, in primary forms 

20.59.54  Activated carbon 

205954 

Activated carbon 

22.11.2 

Retreaded pneumatic tyres, of 
rubber 

221120 

Retreaded pneumatic tyres, of 
rubber 

22.11.16  Camel-back strips for 

221116 

retreading rubber tyres 

Camel-back strips for 
retreading rubber tyres 

22.19.1 

Reclaimed rubber in primary 
forms or in plates, sheets or 
strip 

221910 

22.29.26  Fittings for furniture, 

22292630 

coachwork or the like, of 
plastics; statuettes and other 
ornamental articles, of plastics 

Reclaimed rubber in primary 
forms or in plates, sheets or 
strips 
Perforated buckets and similar 
articles used to filter water at 
the entrance to drains, of 
plastic 

Manufacture of hollow glass 

23.13 

Hollow glass 

2313 

Manufacture of hollow glass 

Manufacture of lime and 
plaster 

23.52.1 

Quicklime, slaked lime and 
hydraulic lime 

23521035 

Slaked lime 

94 

 
 
Circular Economy 
Sector: good or 
service description 

Concrete sewage pipes 

NACE 
Rev. 
2 
(2008) 
23.61 

Melting of iron wastes (not 
in 38.3): Basic iron and 
steel and ferro-alloys 
Melting of iron wastes (not 
in 38.3): Basic iron and 
steel and ferro-alloys 

24.10 

24.10 

Material recovery: 
Production of secondary 
aluminium by 
electrorefining from 
residuals and waste 
materials (not in 38.3) 
Material recovery: 
Production of secondary 
copper by electro-refining 
from residuals and waste 
materials (not in 38.3) 
Material recovery: non-FE 
metals 

Tubes and pipes for 
sewage system 
Tubes and pipes for 
sewage system 

NACE Description 

CPA 
(2008) 

CPA Description 

PRODCOM 
(2019) 

Prodcom Description 

Manufacture of concrete 
products for construction 
purposes 
Manufacture of basic iron and 
steel and of ferro-alloys  

23.61 

24.1 

Concrete products for 
construction purposes 

236111 

Basic iron and steel and ferro-
alloys 

24101100 

Manufacture of basic iron and 
steel and of ferro-alloys  

24.1 

Basic iron and steel and ferro-
alloys 

24101420 

24.42 

Aluminium production 

24.42 

Aluminium 

2442 

Tiles, flagstones, bricks and 
similar articles, of cement, 
concrete or artificial stone 
Pig iron and spiegeleisen in 
pigs, blocks or other primary 
forms 
Remelting scrap ingots of iron 
or steel (excluding products 
whose chemical composition 
conforms to the definitions of 
pig iron, spiegeleisen, or ferro-
alloys) 
Aluminium production 

24.44 

Copper production 

24.44 

Copper 

2444 

Copper production 

24.45 

Other non-ferrous metal 
production 

24.45.3 

Other non-ferrous metals and 
articles thereof; cermets; ash 
and residues, containing 
metals or metallic compounds 

2445 

Other non-ferrous metal 
production 

24.51 

Casting of iron 

24.51.20  Tubes, pipes and hollow 

245120 

profiles of cast-iron 

24.51 

Casting of iron 

24.51.30  Tube or pipe fittings, of cast-

245130 

iron 

95 

Tubes, pipes and hollow 
profiles of cast-iron 
Tube or pipe fittings, of cast-
iron 

 
 
NACE Description 

CPA 
(2008) 

CPA Description 

PRODCOM 
(2019) 

Prodcom Description 

Circular Economy 
Sector: good or 
service description 

Parts for sewage 
infrastructure 

Waste water treatment: 
hydrological analysis 
appliances 

NACE 
Rev. 
2 
(2008) 
25.99 

26.51 

Manufacture of other 
fabricated metal products 
n.e.c. 
Manufacture of instruments 
and appliances for measuring, 
testing and navigation 

25.99.29  Other articles of base metal 

25992913 

n.e.c. 

26.51.12  Theodolites and tachymetres 

265112 

(tachometers); other 
surveying, hydrographic, 
oceanographic, hydrological, 
meteorological or geophysical 
instruments and appliances 
Instrument for checking other 
physical characteristics 

265151 

26.51 

Manufacture of instruments 
and appliances for measuring, 
testing and navigation 

26.51.5 

Articles of non-malleable cast 
iron, n.e.c. 

Theodolites and tachymetres 
(tachometers); other 
surveying, hydrographic, 
oceanographic, hydrological, 
meteorological or geophysical 
instruments and appliances 
Hydrometers, thermometers, 
pyrometers, barometers, 
hygrometers and 
psychrometers 

Instruments for measuring or 
checking the flow, level, 
pressure or other variables of 
liquids and gases 

26.51 

Manufacture of instruments 
and appliances for measuring, 
testing and navigation 

26.51.5 

Instrument for checking other 
physical characteristics 

265152 

26.51 

Manufacture of instruments 
and appliances for measuring, 
testing and navigation 

26.51.5 

Instrument for checking other 
physical characteristics 

265153 

Instruments and apparatus for 
physical or chemical analysis 
n.e.c. 

26.51 

Manufacture of instruments 
and appliances for measuring, 
testing and navigation 

26.51.4 

Instruments for measuring 
electrical quantities or ionising 
radiations 

26514100 

Instruments and apparatus for 
measuring or detecting 
ionising radiations 

96 

Waste water treatment: 
Appliances for chemical 
and physical examination 
of waste water; 
instruments for waste 
analysis and treatment 
Waste water treatment: 
Appliances for chemical 
and physical examination 
of waste water; 
instruments for waste 
analysis and treatment 
Waste water treatment: 
Appliances for chemical 
and physical examination 
of waste water; 
instruments for waste 
analysis and treatment 
Waste water treatment: 
Appliances for chemical 
and physical examination 
of waste water; 

 
 
Circular Economy 
Sector: good or 
service description 

NACE 
Rev. 
2 
(2008) 

NACE Description 

CPA 
(2008) 

CPA Description 

PRODCOM 
(2019) 

Prodcom Description 

instruments for waste 
analysis and treatment 

Instruments for waste 
analysis and treatment; 
Sensors for material 
efficient production 
Pumps for use in 
wastewater treatment 

Pumps for use in 
wastewater treatment 
Pumps for use in 
wastewater treatment 

Pumps for use in 
wastewater treatment 

26.51 

Manufacture of instruments 
and appliances for measuring, 
testing and navigation 

26.51.66  Measuring or checking 

26516690 

instruments, appliances and 
machines n.e.c. 

28.13 

Manufacture of other pumps 
and compressors 

28.13 

28.13 

28.13 

Manufacture of other pumps 
and compressors 
Manufacture of other pumps 
and compressors 

Manufacture of other pumps 
and compressors 

28.13.13  Other rotary positive 

281313 

28.13 

displacement pumps for 
liquids 
Other pumps and 
compressors 

281314 

28.13.12  Other reciprocating positive 

28131280 

displacement pumps for 
liquids 
28.13.13  Other rotary positive 

displacement pumps for 
liquids 

28131380 

Parts for pumps for use in 
wastewater treatment 
Reloading facility, waste 
conveying system 

28.13 

28.22 

Manufacture of other pumps 
and compressors 
Manufacture of lifting and 
handling equipment 

28.13.31  Parts of pumps; parts of liquid 

28133100 

elevator 
28.22.17  Pneumatic and other 

282217 

continuous action elevators 
and conveyors, for goods or 
materials 

Reloading facility, waste 
conveying system 

28.22 

Manufacture of lifting and 
handling equipment 

28.22.18  Other lifting, handling, loading 

28221840 

or unloading machinery 

Measuring or checking 
instruments, appliances and 
machines n.e.c. 

Other rotary positive 
displacement pumps for 
liquids 
Other centrifugal pumps for 
liquids; other pumps 
Positive displacement 
reciprocating pumps, 
diaphragm 
Positive displacement pumps, 
rotary (including peristaltic, 
rotary lobe and helical rotor 
pumps) (excluding hydraulic 
units, gear pumps, vane 
pumps, screw pumps) 
Parts of pumps for liquids and 
for liquid elevators 
Pneumatic and other 
continuous action elevators 
and conveyors, for goods or 
materials 
Lifting, handling, loading or 
unloading machinery, n.e.s. 

97 

 
 
NACE Description 

CPA 
(2008) 

CPA Description 

PRODCOM 
(2019) 

Prodcom Description 

Circular Economy 
Sector: good or 
service description 

Waste processing: 
Manufacture of weighing 
machinery 

NACE 
Rev. 
2 
(2008) 
28.29 

Manufacture of other general-
purpose machinery n.e.c. 

28.29 

Manufacture of other general-
purpose machinery n.e.c. 

28.29 

Manufacture of other general-
purpose machinery n.e.c. 

28.41 

Manufacture of metal forming 
machinery 

28.41 

Manufacture of metal forming 
machinery 

Machinery and apparatus 
for filtering or purifying 
water 
Manufacture of machinery 
and apparatus for filtering 
or purifying gases and 
liquid 

Machinery for metal 
recovery: Mechanical 
engineering product to 
classify, separate and sort 
wastes 
Machinery for metal 
recovery: Mechanical 
engineering product to 
classify, separate and sort 
wastes 
Machinery for metal 
recovery: Mechanical 
engineering product to 
classify, separate and sort 
wastes 

28.29.31  Weighing machines for 

282931 

industrial purposes; scales for 
continuous weighing of goods 
on conveyors; constant weight 
scales and scales for 
discharging a predetermined 
weight 
28.29.12  Filtering or purifying 

machinery and apparatus, for 
liquid 

28291230 

28.29.82  Parts of centrifuges; parts of 

28298250 

filtering or purifying machinery 
and apparatus for liquids or 
gases 

28.41.11  Machine tools for working 

284111 

metal by removal of material 
by laser, ultrasonic, water-jet 
and the like 

28.41.12  Machining centres, unit 

284112 

construction machines and 
multi-station transfer 
machines, for working metal 

Weighing machines for 
industrial purposes; scales for 
continuous weighing of goods 
on conveyors; constant weight 
scales and scales for 
discharging a predetermined 
weight 
Machinery and apparatus for 
filtering or purifying water 

Parts for filtering and purifying 
machinery and apparatus, for 
liquids or gases (excluding for 
centrifuges and centrifugal 
dryers) 
Machine tools for working 
metal by removal of material 
by laser, ultrasonic, water-jet 
and the like 

Machining centres, unit 
construction machines and 
multi-station transfer 
machines, for working metal 

28.41 

Manufacture of metal forming 
machinery 

28.41.21  Lathes for removing metal 

284121 

Lathes for removing metal 

98 

 
 
Circular Economy 
Sector: good or 
service description 

Machinery for metal 
recovery: Mechanical 
engineering product to 
classify, separate and sort 
wastes 
Machinery for metal 
recovery: Mechanical 
engineering product to 
classify, separate and sort 
wastes 
Metal scrap processing 
machines 

Machinery for metal 
recovery: Mechanical 
engineering product to 
classify, separate and sort 
wastes 
Reloading facility, waste 
conveying system 

Facilities to agglomerate, 
compress, mix, metal 
pellet wastes 

NACE 
Rev. 
2 
(2008) 
28.41 

NACE Description 

CPA 
(2008) 

CPA Description 

PRODCOM 
(2019) 

Prodcom Description 

Manufacture of metal forming 
machinery 

28.41.24  Machine tools for planing, 

284124 

sawing, cutting-off or 
otherwise cutting metal 

Machine tools for planing, 
sawing, cutting-off or 
otherwise cutting metal 

28.41 

Manufacture of metal forming 
machinery 

28.41.3 

Other machine tools for 
working metal 

284133 

28.41 

Manufacture of metal forming 
machinery 

28.41.3 

Other machine tools for 
working metal 

28413261 

28.49 

Manufacture of other machine 
tools 

28.49.1  Machine tools for working 

284912 

stone, wood and similar hard 
materials 

28.91 

28.91 

Manufacture of machinery for 
metallurgy 

Manufacture of machinery for 
metallurgy 

29.91.11  Converters, ladles, ingot 

289111 

moulds and casting machines; 
metal-rolling mills 

28.91.11  Converters, ladles, ingot 

28911153 

moulds and casting machines; 
metal-rolling mills 

Forging or die-stamping 
machines and hammers; 
hydraulic presses and presses 
for working metal n.e.c. 

Shearing machines, incl. 
presses, not numerically 
controlled, for working metal 
(excl. machines for working 
flat metal products and 
combined punching and 
shearing machines) 
Machine tools for working 
wood, cork, bone, hard 
rubber, hard plastics or similar 
hard materials; electroplating 
machinery 
Converters, ladles, ingot 
moulds and casting machines; 
metal-rolling mills 
Mills for rolling metal tubes, 
hot or combination hot and 
cold metal-rolling mills 

99 

 
 
NACE 
Rev. 
2 
(2008) 
28.92 

Circular Economy 
Sector: good or 
service description 

Machines for waste 
treatment: Mechanical 
engineering product to 
classify, separate and sort 
wastes 

NACE Description 

CPA 
(2008) 

CPA Description 

PRODCOM 
(2019) 

Prodcom Description 

Manufacture of machinery for 
mining, quarrying and 
construction 

28.92.4  Machinery for sorting, 

28924030 

grinding, mixing and similar 
treatment of earth, stone, ores 
and other mineral substances 

Machinery for retreading 
pneumatic tyres or plastic 
recyclate 

28.96 

Manufacture of plastics and 
rubber machinery 

Machinery for plastic 
recovery: Mechanical 
engineering product to 
classify, separate and sort 
wastes 
Machinery for plastic 
recovery: Mechanical 
engineering product to 
classify, separate and sort 
wastes 
Machinery for wood and 
paper waste 

Mechanical engineering 
product for disassembly, 
waste shredding, 
screening and classifying 

28.96 

Manufacture of plastics and 
rubber machinery 

28.96 

Manufacture of plastics and 
rubber machinery 

28.99 

Manufacture of other special-
purpose machinery n.e.c. 

28.99 

Manufacture of other special-
purpose machinery n.e.c. 

28.96.10  Machinery n.e.c. for working 
plastics and rubber or for the 
manufacture of products from 
these materials 

28961060 

28.96.10  Machinery n.e.c. for working 
plastics and rubber or for the 
manufacture of products from 
these materials 

28961093 

28.96.10  Machinery n.e.c. for working 
plastics and rubber or for the 
manufacture of products from 
these materials 

28961095 

28.99.31  Dryers for wood, paper pulp, 

28993130 

paper or paperboard; non-
domestic dryers n.e.c. 

28.99.39  Aircraft launching gear; deck-
arrestors or similar gear; tyre 
balancing equipment; special-
purpose machinery n.e.c. 

28993915 

100 

Sorting, screening, 
separating, washing 
machines; crushing, grinding, 
mixing, kneading machines 
excluding concrete/mortar 
mixers, machines for mixing 
mineral substances with 
bitumen 
Machinery for moulding or 
retreading pneumatic tyres or 
for moulding or otherwise 
forming inner tubes of rubber 
or plastics 
Mixers, kneaders and 
agitators, for preparing rubber 
or plastics 

Cutting, splitting and peeling 
machines for working rubber 
or plastics or for the 
manufacture of products from 
these materials 
Dryers for wood, paper pulp, 
paper or paperboard 

Machines and mechanical 
appliances, having individual 
functions, for mixing, 
kneading, crushing, grinding, 
screening, sifting, 

 
 
Circular Economy 
Sector: good or 
service description 

NACE 
Rev. 
2 
(2008) 

NACE Description 

CPA 
(2008) 

CPA Description 

PRODCOM 
(2019) 

Prodcom Description 

29.10 

Manufacture of motor vehicles  29.10.59  Special-purpose motor 

29105990 

vehicles n.e.c. 

homogenising, emulsifying or 
stirring (excluding robots) 

Other special-purpose motor 
vehicles n.e.c. 

Vehicles for wastewater 
treatment, vehicles for 
sewer cleaning, trucks for 
waste 
collection;Manufacture of 
vehicles for wastewater 
treatment, vehicles for 
sewer cleaning, trucks for 
waste collection; Refuse 
collection vehicles, street 
sweepers and cleaners 
Heavy-duty vehicle 
bodywork for refuse 
collection vehicles 

29.10 

Manufacture of motor vehicles  29.10.5 

Special-purpose motor 
vehicles 

29201050 

Heavy-duty vehicle 
bodywork for refuse 
collection vehicles 

29.20 

Manufacture of bodies 
(coachwork) for motor 
vehicles; manufacture of 
trailers and semi-trailers 

29.20.21  Containers specially designed 

29202100 

for carriage by one or more 
modes of transport 

Conversion and 
reconstruction of ships, 
floating platforms and 
structures; 

30.11 

Building of ships and floating 
structures 

30.11.9 

Conversion, reconstruction 
and fitting out services of 
ships, floating platforms and 
structures; sub-contracted 
operations as part of 

30119100 

101 

Bodies for lorries, vans, 
buses, coaches, tractors, 
dumpers and special purpose 
motor vehicles including 
completely equipped and 
incomplete bodies, vehicles 
for the transport of â‰¥ 10 
persons 
Containers specially designed 
and equipped for carriage by 
one or more modes of 
transport (including containers 
for transporting fluids) 
Conversion and 
reconstruction of ships, 
floating platforms and 
structures 

 
 
Circular Economy 
Sector: good or 
service description 

NACE 
Rev. 
2 
(2008) 

NACE Description 

CPA 
(2008) 

CPA Description 

PRODCOM 
(2019) 

Prodcom Description 

manufacturing of ships and 
floating structures 

30.20.9 

Reconditioning and fitting out 
services ("completing") of 
railway and tramway 
locomotives and rolling-stock; 
sub-contracted operations as 
part of manufacturing of 
railway locomotives and 
rolling stock 
30.30.60  Overhaul and conversion 

services of aircraft and aircraft 
engines 

30209100 

Reconditioning of railway and 
tramway locomotives and 
rolling-stock 

30306070 

Reconditioning of aircraft: 
civilians 

30.30.60  Overhaul and conversion 

30306030 

services of aircraft and aircraft 
engines 

Reconditioning of civil aircraft 
engines 

30.30.60  Overhaul and conversion 

30306050 

33.11 

services of aircraft and aircraft 
engines 
Repair of fabricated metal 
products 

3311 

Reconditioning of civil 
helicopters 

Repair of fabricated metal 
products 

Reconditioning of railway 
and tramway locomotives 
and rolling-stock 

30.20 

Manufacture of railway 
locomotives and rolling stock 

Manufacture of air and 
spacecraft and related 
machinery 
Manufacture of air and 
spacecraft and related 
machinery 
Manufacture of air and 
spacecraft and related 
machinery 
Repair of fabricated metal 
products 

30.30 

30.30 

33.11 

Reconditioning of aircraft: 
civilians 

30.30 

Reconditioning of civil 
aircraft engines 

Reconditioning of civil 
helicopters 

Repair of fabricated metal 
products, machinery and 
equipment 
Repair of fabricated metal 
products, machinery and 
equipment 
Repair of fabricated metal 
products, machinery and 
equipment 

33.12 

Repair services of machinery 

33.12 

Repair services of machinery 

3312 

Repair of machinery 

33.13 

Repair services of electronic 
and optical equipment 

33.13 

Repair services of electronic 
and optical equipment 

3313 

Repair of electronic and 
optical equipment 

102 

 
 
NACE Description 

CPA 
(2008) 

CPA Description 

PRODCOM 
(2019) 

Prodcom Description 

Circular Economy 
Sector: good or 
service description 

Repair of fabricated metal 
products, machinery and 
equipment 
Repair of fabricated metal 
products, machinery and 
equipment 
Repair of fabricated metal 
products, machinery and 
equipment 
Repair of fabricated metal 
products, machinery and 
equipment 
Repair of fabricated metal 
products, machinery and 
equipment 
Installation of waste 
systems and conveyors 

Installation of waste 
systems and conveyors 
Installation of waste, 
waste-water systems and 
conveyors 
Installation of waste, 
waste-water systems and 
conveyors 

NACE 
Rev. 
2 
(2008) 
33.14 

33.16 

33.17 

33.19 

33.20 

33.20 

33.20 

33.20 

Repair services of electrical 
equipment 

33.15 

Repair and maintenance 
services of ships and boats 

Repair and maintenance 
services of aircraft and 
spacecraft 
Repair and maintenance 
services of other transport 
equipment 
Repair services of other 
equipment 

33.14 

33.15 

33.16 

33.17 

33.19 

Installation of industrial 
machinery and equipment 

33.20.38 

Installation of industrial 
machinery and equipment 
Installation of industrial 
machinery and equipment 

33.20.39 

33.20.2 

Repair services of electrical 
equipment 

Repair and maintenance 
services of ships and boats 

Repair and maintenance 
services of aircraft and 
spacecraft 
Repair and maintenance 
services of other transport 
equipment 
Repair services of other 
equipment 

Installation services of 
industrial machinery and 
equipment for plastic and 
rubber production 
Installation services of other 
special-purpose machinery 
Installation services of 
general-purpose machinery 

Installation of industrial 
machinery and equipment 

33.20.2 

Installation services of 
general-purpose machinery 

33202960 

3314 

Repair of electrical equipment 

3315 

3316 

3317 

Repair and maintenance of 
ships and boats 

Repair and maintenance of 
aircraft and spacecraft 

Repair and maintenance of 
other transport equipment 

3319 

Repair of other equipment 

332038 

332039 

33202920 

Installation services of 
industrial machinery and 
equipment for plastic and 
rubber production 
Installation services of other 
special-purpose machinery 
Installation of pumps and 
compressors 

Installation of general purpose 
machines and apparatus for 
weighing, filtration, distillation, 
packaging, bottling, spraying, 
steam/sand blasting, 
calendering 
Installation services of 

Installation of waste 

33.20 

Installation of industrial 

33.20.32 

Installation services of metal 

33203200 

103 

 
 
NACE Description 

CPA 
(2008) 

CPA Description 

PRODCOM 
(2019) 

Prodcom Description 

machinery and equipment 

Installation of industrial 
machinery and equipment 

33.20.33 

33.20 

Installation of industrial 
machinery and equipment 

33.20.6 

forming machinery 

Installation services of 
industrial machinery and 
equipment for metallurgy 
Installation services of 
industrial process control 
equipment 

33203300 

33206000 

metalworking machine tools 

Installation of machinery for 
metallurgy 

Design and assembly of 
industrial process control 
equipment and automated 
production plants 

NACE 
Rev. 
2 
(2008) 

33.20 

Circular Economy 
Sector: good or 
service description 

systems and conveyors 

Installation of waste 
systems and conveyors 

Planning and installation 
of industrial process 
control equipment; 
installation services in 
waste management 
Sewerage services: e.g. 
collecting, transporting 
and treating wastewater; 
operation, maintenance 
and cleaning of sewer 
systems;Provision of 
sewerage services: e.g. 
collecting, transporting 
and treating wastewater; 
operation, maintenance 
and cleaning of sewer 
systems; Sewage 
Collection of waste 

Waste treatment 
(excluding landfill, 
incineration and nuclear 
waste treatment) (not 
otherwise included in 38.3 
due to primary allocation) 

37.0 

Sewerage 

37.0 

Sewerage services; sewage 
sludge 

na 

38.1 

Waste collection 

38.1 

38.2 

Waste treatment and disposal  38.21.1 

Waste; waste collection 
services 
Non-hazardous waste 
treatment for final disposal 
services 

na 

na 

104 

 
 
  
  
  
NACE 
Rev. 
2 
(2008) 
38.2 

NACE Description 

CPA 
(2008) 

CPA Description 

PRODCOM 
(2019) 

Prodcom Description 

Waste treatment and disposal  38.21.29  Other non-hazardous waste 

na 

disposal services 

38.2 

Waste treatment and disposal  38.21.3  Waste organic solvents 

na 

38.2 

Waste treatment and disposal  38.21.5 

Pellets of municipal waste 

na 

Circular Economy 
Sector: good or 
service description 

Waste treatment 
(excluding landfill, 
incineration and nuclear 
waste treatment) (not 
otherwise included in 38.3 
due to primary allocation) 
Waste treatment 
(excluding landfill, 
incineration and nuclear 
waste treatment) (not 
otherwise included in 38.3 
due to primary allocation) 
Waste treatment 
(excluding landfill, 
incineration and nuclear 
waste treatment) (not 
otherwise included in 38.3 
due to primary allocation) 
Materials recovery 

38.3 

Materials recovery 

Remediation activities and 
other waste management 
services 
Maintenance and repair of 
water networks (utility) 
Maintenance and repair of 
water networks (pipelines) 
Construction work for 
sewage systems (utility) 

39.00 

42.21 

42.21 

42.21 

Remediation activities and 
other waste management 
services 
Construction of utility projects 
for fluids 
Construction of utility projects 
for fluids 
Construction of utility projects 
for fluids 

38.3 

39.00 

Materials recovery services; 
secondary raw materials 
Remediation services and 
other waste management 
services 
Utility constructions for fluids 

42.21.1; 
42.21.2 
42.21.12; 
42.21.22 
42.21.13  Sewage and water treatment 

Local pipelines for fluids 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

plants 

105 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
NACE Description 

CPA 
(2008) 

CPA Description 

PRODCOM 
(2019) 

Prodcom Description 

NACE 
Rev. 
2 
(2008) 
42.21 

Circular Economy 
Sector: good or 
service description 

Construction work for 
sewage systems 
(pipelines) 
Construction work for 
waste treatment plants 

Construction of utility projects 
for fluids 

42.21 

Construction of utility projects 
for fluids 

Construction work for 
waste treatment plants 
Maintenance and repair 
services for reducing 
water losses 
Maintenance and repair of 
motor vehicles 

42.99 

43.22 

45.20 

Construction of other civil 
engineering projects n.e.c. 
Plumbing, heat and air-
conditioning installation 

Maintenance and repair of 
motor vehicles 

Maintenance and repair of 
motor vehicles 

45.20 

Maintenance and repair of 
motor vehicles 

42.21.23; 
42.21.24 

42.21.22  Construction works for local 
pipelines, including ancillary 
works 
General construction services 
of sewage and water 
treatment plants 
Other civil engineering 
constructions n.e.c. 

42.99.19; 
42.99.29 
43.22.12  Heating, ventilation and air 

conditioning installation works 

45.20.1  Maintenance and repair 
services of cars and light 
goods motor vehicles 

45.20.2  Maintenance and repair 
services of other motor 
vehicles 
Wholesale trade services of 
waste and scrap 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

Wholesale of waste and 
scrap 
Retail sale of second-hand 
goods in stores (ecl. 
Antics) 
Retail sale of second-hand 
goods in stores (ecl. 
Antics) 
Architectural services for 
wastewater and waste 
management projects 
Engineering services for 
sewerage and drainage 
projects 

46.77  Wholesale of waste and scrap  46.77 

47.79 

Retail sale of second-hand 
goods in stores 

47.00.92  Retail trade services of 

second-hand books 

47.79 

Retail sale of second-hand 
goods in stores 

47.00.99  Retail trade services of other 

na 

second-hand goods 

71.11 

Architectural activities  

71.11 

Architectural services 

71.12 

Engineering activities and 
related technical consultancy 

71.12.16  Engineering services for 

water, sewerage and drainage 
projects 

na 

na 

106 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Circular Economy 
Sector: good or 
service description 

Engineering services for 
waste management 
projects;  

Rental and leasing of cars 
and light motor vehicles 
Rental and leasing of 
trucks 
Renting and leasing of 
recreational and sports 
goods 
Renting of video tapes 
and disks 
Renting and leasing of 
other personal and 
household goods 
Renting and leasing of 
agricultural machinery and 
equipment 
Renting and leasing of 
construction and civil 
engineering machinery 
and equipment 
Renting and leasing of 
office machinery and 
equiment (including 
computers) 
Renting and leasing of 
water transport equipment 
Renting and leasing of air 
transport equipment 

NACE 
Rev. 
2 
(2008) 
71.12 

77.11 

77.12 

77.21 

77.22 

77.29 

77.31 

77.32 

77.33 

77.34 

77.35 

NACE Description 

CPA 
(2008) 

CPA Description 

PRODCOM 
(2019) 

Prodcom Description 

Engineering activities and 
related technical consultancy 

Rental and leasing of cars and 
light motor vehicles 
Rental and leasing of trucks 

Rental and leasing of 
recreational and sports goods 

Rental of video tapes and 
disks 
Rental and leasing of other 
personal and household 
goods 
Rental and leasing of 
agricultural machinery and 
equipment 
Rental and leasing of 
construction and civil 
engineering machinery and 
equipment 
Rental and leasing of office 
machinery and equipment 
(including computers) 

Rental and leasing of water 
transport equipment 
Rental and leasing of air 
transport equipment 

71.12.15  Engineering services for 

na 

waste management projects 
(hazardous and non-
hazardous) 
Rental and leasing services of 
cars and light motor vehicles 
Rental and leasing services of 
trucks 
Rental and leasing services of 
recreational and sports goods 

Rental services of video tapes 
and disks 
Rental and leasing services of 
other personal and household 
goods 
Rental and leasing services of 
agricultural machinery and 
equipment 
Rental and leasing services of 
construction and civil 
engineering machinery and 
equipment 
Rental and leasing services of 
office machinery and 
equipment (including 
computers) 
Rental and leasing services of 
water transport equipment 
Rental and leasing services of 
air transport equipment 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

77.11 

77.12 

77.21 

77.22 

77.29 

77.31 

77.32 

77.33 

77.34 

77.35 

107 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Circular Economy 
Sector: good or 
service description 

Renting and leasing of 
other machinery, 
equipment and tangible 
goods n.e.c. 
Library and archive 
services 
Repair of computers and 
peripheral equipment 
Repair of communication 
equipment 
Repair of consumer 
electronics 
Repair of household 
appliances and home and 
garden equipment 
Repair of footwear and 
leather goods 
Repair of furniture and 
home furnishings 
Repair of watches, clocks 
and jewellery 
Repair of other personal 
and household goods 

Washing and (dry-
)cleaning of textile and fur 
products (partially) 

NACE 
Rev. 
2 
(2008) 
77.39 

NACE Description 

Rental and leasing of other 
machinery, equipment and 
tangible goods n.e.c. 

CPA 
(2008) 

77.39 

CPA Description 

PRODCOM 
(2019) 

Prodcom Description 

Rental and leasing services of 
other machinery, equipment 
and tangible goods n.e.c. 

na 

91.01 

Library and archives activities 

91.01 

Library and archive services 

na 

95.11 

95.12 

95.21 

95.22 

95.23 

95.24 

95.25 

95.29 

Repair of computers and 
peripheral equipment 
Repair of communication 
equipment 
Repair of consumer 
electronics 
Repair of household 
appliances and home and 
garden equipment 
Repair of footwear and leather 
goods 
Repair of furniture and home 
furnishings 
Repair of watches, clocks and 
jewellery 
Repair of other personal and 
household goods 

95.11 

95.12 

95.21 

95.22 

95.23 

95.24 

95.25 

95.29 

96.01  Washing and (dry-)cleaning of 

96.01 

textile and fur products 

Repair services of computers 
and peripheral equipment 
Repair services of 
communication equipment 
Repair services of consumer 
electronics 
Repair services of household 
appliances and home and 
garden equipment 
Repair services of footwear 
and leather goods 
Repair services of furniture 
and home furnishings 
Repair services of watches, 
clocks and jewellery 
Repair services of other 
personal and household 
goods 
Washing and (dry-)cleaning 
services of textile and fur 
products 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

na 

108 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
Annex 3 - List of CPC codes for the indicator "Number of patents related to 
waste management and recycling 

109 

 
 
 
Annex 4. Key characteristics of circular economy monitoring indicators  

Indicator and area 

Unit(s) 

Data Provider 

Fequency of 
data collection 

Timeliness 

Available 
countries 

First year 

Most recent 
year 

Production and consumption 
1. Material consumption 

a) Material Footprint  

Tonnes per capita 

- Index, 2000=100 
- Euro per kilogram, 
chain linked 
volumes (2015) 
- Purchasing power 
standard (PPS) per 
kilogram 

- Number 
- Percentage of GDP 

b) Resource productivity  

2. Green public procurement 

3. Waste generation 

a) Total waste generation per 
capita  

kg per capita 

b) Generation of waste excluding 
major mineral wastes, per GDP 
unit 

kg per thousand 
euro, chain linked 
volumes (2010) 

c) Generation of municipal waste 
(per capita) 

kg per capita 

European 
Commission 
(Eurostat) 
European 
Commission 
(Eurostat) 

European 
Commission 
(Eurostat) 
European 
Commission 
(Eurostat) 
European 
Commission 
(Eurostat) 
European 
Commission 
(Eurostat) 

European 
Commission 

Every year 

t-2 year 

EU + MS 

2008 
(2000 EU) 

2020 

Every year 

t-1 year 

EU + MS 

2000 

2021 

Every year 

t-1 year 

EU + MS 

(1) 

Every 2 years 

t-2 year 

EU + MS 

2004 

2020 

Every 2 years 

t-2 year 

EU + MS 

2004 

2020 

Every year 

t-1 year 

EU + MS 

2000 

2021 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Indicator and area 

Unit(s) 

Data Provider 

Fequency of 
data collection 

Timeliness 

Available 
countries 

First year 

Most recent 
year 

d) Food waste 

Kg fresh mass per 
capita 

e) Generation of packaging waste 
per capita 

Kg per capita 

f) Generation of plastic packaging 
waste per capita 

Kg per capita 

Waste management 
4. Overall recycling rates 

a) Recycling rate of municipal 
waste 

Percentage 

b) Recycling rate of all waste 
excluding major mineral waste 

Percentage 

5. Recycling rates for specific waste 
streams 

a) Recycling rate of overall 
packaging waste 

b) Recycling rate of plastic 
packaging waste 

c) Recycling rate of E-waste 
separately collected 

Percentage 

Percentage 

Percentage 

Secondary raw materials 

(Eurostat) 

European 
Commission 
(Eurostat) 
European 
Commission 
(Eurostat) 
European 
Commission 
(Eurostat) 

European 
Commission 
(Eurostat) 
European 
Commission 
(Eurostat) 

European 
Commission 
(Eurostat) 
European 
Commission 
(Eurostat) 
European 
Commission 
(Eurostat) 

Every year 

T – 2 year 

EU + MS 

2020 

2020 

Every year 

t-2 year 

EU + MS 

2000 

2020 

Every year 

t-2 year 

EU + MS 

2000 

2020 

Every year 

t-1 year 

EU + MS 

2000 

2021 

Every 2 years 

t-2 year 

EU + MS 

2010 

2020 

Every year 

t-2 year 

EU + MS 

2000 

2020 

Every year 

t-2 year 

EU + MS 

2000 

2020 

Every year 

t-2 year 

EU + MS 

2005 

2020 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Indicator and area 

Unit(s) 

Data Provider 

Fequency of 
data collection 

Timeliness 

Available 
countries 

First year 

Most recent 
year 

6. Contribution of recycled materials to 
raw materials demand 

a) Circular material use rate 

Percentage 

b) End-of-life recycling input rates 
for raw materials 

Percentage 

7. Trade in recyclable raw materials 

a) Imports from non-EU countries 

b) Exports to non-EU countries 

- Tonne 
- Thousand euro 

- Tonne 
- Thousand euro 

c) Intra EU trade (imports from EU 
countries) 

- Tonne 
- Thousand euro 

European 
Commission 
(Eurostat) 

European 
Commission 
(DG GROW, 
Joint Research 
Centre) 

European 
Commission 
(Eurostat) 
European 
Commission 
(Eurostat) 
European 
Commission 
(Eurostat) 

Every year 

t-1 year 

EU + MS 

2004 

2021 

Every 3 years 

t-1 year 

EU level 

2013 

2022 

Every year 

t-1 year 

EU + MS 

2004 

2021 

Every year 

t-1 year 

EU + MS 

2004 

2021 

Every year 

t-1 year 

EU + MS 

2004 

2021 

Competitiveness and innovation 
8. Private investment, jobs and gross 
added value related to circular economy 
sectors 

a) Private investments 

- Million euro 
- Percentage of GDP 

European 
Commission 
(Eurostat) 

Every year 

t-2 year 

EU + MS 

2005 

2021 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Indicator and area 

Unit(s) 

Data Provider 

Fequency of 
data collection 

Timeliness 

Available 
countries 

First year 

Most recent 
year 

b) Employment 

c) Gross added value 

9. Innovation 

- Number 
- Percentage of total 
employment 

- Million euro 
- Percentage of GDP 

European 
Commission 
(Eurostat) 

European 
Commission 
(Eurostat) 

Every year 

t-2 year 

EU + MS 

2005 

2021 

Every year 

t-2 year 

EU + MS 

2005 

2021 

a) Patents related to waste 
management and recycling 

- Number 
- Number per million 
inhabitants 

Global sustainability and resilience 
10. Global sustainability from circular 
economy 

a) Consumption footprint 

- Index (2010=100) 
- Number of 
planetary boundaries 
- Per capita  

b) GHG emissions from production 
activities 

 Kg per capita 

11. Resilience from circular economy 

a) Material import dependency 

Percentage 

b) EU self-sufficiency for raw 
materials 

Percentage 

European 
Commission 
(Joint 
Research 
Centre based 
on PATSTAT) 

European 
Commission 
(Joint 
Research 
Centre) 
 European 
Commission 
(Eurostat) 

European 
Commission 
(Eurostat) 

European 
Commission 

Every year 

t-4 year 

EU + MS 

2000 

2019 

Every year 

t-2 year 

EU + MS 

2010 

2021 

 Every year 

t-1 year 

EU + MS 

2000 

2021 

Every year 

t-1 year 

EU + MS 

2000 

2021 

Every 3 years 

t-2 year 

EU level 

2011 

2022 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Indicator and area 

Unit(s) 

Data Provider 

Fequency of 
data collection 

Timeliness 

Available 
countries 

First year 

Most recent 
year 

Note (1) : first data on green public procurement will become available in 2024 with reference year 2023. 

(DG GROW, 
Joint Research 
Centre)