Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
The indicator is part of the Circular Economy indicator set. It is used to monitor progress towards a circular economy on the thematic area of 'secondary raw materials'.
The circular economy aims at increasing the amount of material recycled and fed back into the economy, therefore reducing the generation of waste and limiting the extraction of primary raw materials. The circular material use rate measures the contribution of recycled materials to overall materials demand.
4.1. Data description
The indicator measures the share of material recycled and fed back into the economy - thus saving extraction of primary raw materials - in overall material use. The circular material use, also known as circularity rate is defined as the ratio of the circular use of materials to the overall material use.
The overall material use is measured by summing up the aggregate domestic material consumption (DMC) and the circular use of materials. DMC is defined in economy-wide material flow accounts. The circular use of materials is approximated by the amount of waste recycled in domestic recovery plants minus imported waste destined for recovery plus exported waste destined for recovery abroad. Waste recycled in domestic recovery plants comprises the recovery operations R2 to R11 - as defined in the Waste Framework Directive 75/442/EEC. 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.
A higher circularity rate value means that more secondary materials substitute for primary raw materials thus reducing the environmental impacts of extracting primary material.
4.2. Unit of measure
Percentage of total material use.
4.3. Reference Period
Calendar year.
4.4. Accuracy - overall
The indicator is produced according to the high-level quality standards of European Statistics. Details on accuracy can be found in the metadata of the source datasets (see link in "Related metadata").
4.5. Source data
4.5.1. Source data - Organisation
ESS.
4.5.2. Source data - Comment
Data source: European Statistical System (ESS)
Data provider: Statistical Office of the European Union (Eurostat). The circular material use rate is calculated using three European statistics:
The amounts of waste treated in domestic recovery operations are corrected by net exports of waste destined for recycling sourced from Comext database.
5.1. Frequency of dissemination
5.1.1. Frequency of dissemination - Grade
Every year
5.1.2. Frequency of dissemination - Comment
Indicator is updated every year. See also explanations in 6.3.
5.2. Timeliness
5.2.1. Timeliness - Grade
T+1 year
5.2.2. Timeliness - Comment
New data points are disseminated within one year after the reference year.
One of the data sources used, namely waste statistics, is available only every second year. Eurostat estimated data for the missing odd years. The other data sources necessary are available every year. The missing data are estimated by Eurostat.
6.1. Reference area
6.1.1. Reference Area - Grade
All EU MS
6.1.2. Reference Area - Comment
Data are presented for all EU Member States.
The EU aggregate is also available.
6.2. Comparability - geographical
6.2.1. Comparability - geographical - Grade
All EU MS
6.2.2. Comparability - geographical - Comment
Data are comparable between all EU Member States.
6.3. Coverage - Time
6.3.1. Time Coverage - Grade
> 10 years
6.3.2. Time Coverage - Comment
Presented time series starts in 2004 for the EU aggregate. Data for Member States and break down by materials start in 2010.
6.4. Comparability - over time
6.4.1. Comparability - over time - Grade
> 4 data points
6.4.2. Comparability - over time - Comment
Length of comparable time series without methodological break is longer than 4 data points.
The indicator measures the share of material recycled and fed back into the economy - thus saving extraction of primary raw materials - in overall material use. The circular material use, also known as circularity rate is defined as the ratio of the circular use of materials to the overall material use.
The overall material use is measured by summing up the aggregate domestic material consumption (DMC) and the circular use of materials. DMC is defined in economy-wide material flow accounts. The circular use of materials is approximated by the amount of waste recycled in domestic recovery plants minus imported waste destined for recovery plus exported waste destined for recovery abroad. Waste recycled in domestic recovery plants comprises the recovery operations R2 to R11 - as defined in the Waste Framework Directive 75/442/EEC. 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.
A higher circularity rate value means that more secondary materials substitute for primary raw materials thus reducing the environmental impacts of extracting primary material.
30 January 2024
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Calendar year.
The indicator is produced according to the high-level quality standards of European Statistics. Details on accuracy can be found in the metadata of the source datasets (see link in "Related metadata").
