Re-use centres in Flanders 20 years of experience Public Waste Agency of Flanders (OVAM) Kongress: Abfallvermeidung Status quo & Potentiale Berlin, November 22.2016 Anne Vandeputte - Project Manager
Flanders: Some background information - Production MSW (kg/capita): 2014 Since 1997 more waste collected source-separated compared to residual waste! Landfilling is history! 70% Re-used Recycled 30% Composted 27% incineration 2 % MBT < 1% landfill Strong focus on the reduction of the residual waste target: 150 kg/inh. 2
Number of Re-use centres and Re-use shops (1995 2015) 3
Pillars of a re-use centre Environmental protection Social employment Social protection Preventing waste generation by promoting re-use & extending life span of household goods. The sold re-usable goods realized a reduction of 65.000 tons CO2. Creating employment for low-skilled and longterm jobless workers. The re-use centres are offering a job, training and future prospects to over 5.000 individuals. Tackling poverty by offering affordable quality household goods to people living with limited budget. More than 3 million customers (2015). 4 Anne Vandeputte OVAM Kongress Abfallvermeidung Status quo & Potentiale Berlin 22.11.2016
Key success factors 1 Link between re-use & social employment 5
Employment 1995-2015 20%: staff management 80%: workers 2015: 4.115 FTE 5.353 Total Workers 6
Key success factors 2 Embedding of the re-use centres into the Flemish waste policy & into the local waste policy. 7 Anne Vandeputte OVAM Kongress Abfallvermeidung Status quo & Potentiale Berlin 22.11.2016
Key success factors: Operating areas Well-assigned operating/collection areas for the 31 re-use centers is essential for avoiding unnecessary competition amongst the centers and stimulating cooperation! 8
Key success factors: Municipal solid waste policy Integration of the re-use centres in the consecutive municipal solid waste management plans & Materials Decree. Integration of the re-use centres in the take back obligation of the Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) The re-use centres are a reliable partner in the implementation of the Flemish municipal solid waste policy! 9
Key success factors 3 The Federation of Flemish Reuse Centers unite nearly all reuse centers & figured as the driving force behind the development of the re-use centers in Flanders. 10
Key success factors: Establishment of a strong umbrella organization Support reuse centres in their professionalization. Exchange of information & experience between reuse centres. Standardization of monitoring & reporting systems in partnership with the OVAM. Representation on discussion fora with Government (OVAM), local authorities, policy makers & industry. 11
Key success factors 4 Continue professionalization of the reuse centres is crucial to consolidate the position achieved within the municipal solid waste policy. 12
Key success factors: Professionalization of the re-use sector strong branding! At the start: Reuse sector had success but struggled with image problems Poor folk outlet Creation of common brand for all the Re-use shops 13
Key success factors: Professionalization of the re-use sector - strong branding! Smart idea Cooperation with professional advertising agencies for public awareness raising & information campaigns: optimum awareness! 14 Anne Vandeputte OVAM Kongress Abfallvermeidung Status quo & Potentiale Berlin 22.11.2016
Key success factors: Professionalization of the re-use sector quality management! Product quality assurance A quality label for professionally repaired WEEE was introduced in order to become a reliable partner in the collection and take back of WEEE Network of repair workplaces for collection, repair and sale of electric an electronic equipment Professional management & organisation Self-imposed quality management system for processes, products and services at the organisational level Biannual audits 15
Key success factors: Professionalization of the re-use sector 16 16
Key success factors 5 Measurement is key to knowledge & management 17
Key success factors: Measurement key to knowledge & management From early stages data monitoring & reporting were important. Using uniform weight tables (worked out by the OVAM in corporation with Komosie) to measure re-use percentages/targets. Annual reporting on a consistent way of data to the authorities. Delivering information/insight for further policy development of the sector and integration in the waste policy. Benchmarking and exchange of information between re-use centres. Calculation tonnage fee for local authorities. 18 Anne Vandeputte OVAM Kongress Abfallvermeidung Status quo & Potentiale Berlin 22.11.2016
Some results: Collection of goods - 2015 Collection per inhabitant: +/- 10kg 40%: delivered at the Re-use shops 28%: picked up at the residents by the Re-use shops 19,5 %: collected at the recycling yard 12,5 %: ended up at the Re-use shops via other channels (e.g. textile containers) 19
Some results: Re-usable goods resold per capita 1994-2015 Target 2015: 5 kilograms per inhabitant of re-usable goods resold. 20
Some results: Financial situation Flemish Re-use sector 2014 21 Anne Vandeputte OVAM Kongress Abfallvermeidung Status quo & Potentiale Berlin 22.11.2016
Some results: Shop turnover 2001-2015 (excl. VAT) 2015: Kringwinkel realized turnover of 48 millions Number of paying costumers > 5,5 million 1kg re-usable good = 1,5 22
Some results: Collection, Re-use & Revenue per fraction 2014 Collected: 65.867 ton Re-used: 30.945 ton (47%) Collection per inhabitant: +/_ 10kg 23
Some results: recycling & residual waste 53% or 30.945 tons collected goods non resalable as second hand in the Re-use shops 24
Future developments Research for new initiatives related to closing the material loops broader working area (combination of waste collection and reusable goods) Kilo sale Large volumes of reusable goods that cannot be sold in the shop (textiles) Upcycling Non reusable goods are used to manufacture new products, e.g. flagbags Resourcelab Young designers work together with reuse centres and create unique design products 25
Thanks for your attention Are there any questions? Anne.vandeputte@ovam.be Veroniek.lemahieu@ovam.be Government of Flanders Public Waste Agency of Flanders (OVAM) Stationsstraat 110 2800 Mechelen, Belgium T: 015 284 284 F: 015 203 275 www.ovam.be, info@ovam.be