Own publications

 

This report illustrates the relation between VAT and the circular economy and provides several indications where VAT can play a role in the transtion from a linear towards a circular model. Concrete …

 

The transition to the circular economy (CE) is a long-term policy priority in Flanders. To steer this transition, targets are needed. Currently, there are no targets that officially have such status …

 

An available macro-economic model for Belgium has been finetuned towards its use for assisting policy making dedicated to the circular economy. This possible use has been illustrated with three cases…

 

This study reviewed how ten recent roadmaps in the context of sustainability included learning effects. Specific measures were categorized according to (i) two kinds of scenarios, being a current pol…

 

This report focusses on different discourses on the repair of electronic consumer devices in Flanders. It identifies four discourses, revealing different political choices for policymakers. Two part…

 

Following the study on the material flow analysis for Flanders in the period 2002-2018, which is published by the Circular Economy Policy Research Centre in June 2020, this study introduces the link …

 

This report is part of the ongoing research at the Policy Research Centre for Circular Economy to create a monitor to guide the transition to a circular economy in Flanders. This report presents a gu…

 

This report presents a Circular Economy monitor for the societal need fulfillment system of buildings and housing. It is part of the CE monitor of the policy research center. The indicators of this m…

 

This study investigates six mobilisation strategies for grass from road verges and nature reserves in Flanders, complemented with a holistic circular perspective on grass as a secondary raw material.…

 

This short-term assignment aims to illustrate the insights that policy makers can obtain from applying a “strategic stock management” perspective to the problem of assessing the potential of circular…

 

In Flanders its ‘Vision 2050. A long-term strategy for Flanders’, continuing the transition towards the circular economy is one out of seven transition priorities, in which the development of new bus…

 

In this study, we focus on the willingness of consumers to use circular business models (CBMs). We assess the ‘suitability’ of a product or sector for a particular circular business model from a cons…

 

This report is part of the ongoing research at the Policy Research Centre for Circular Economy to create a framework for a monitor to guide the transition to a circular economy in Flanders. This repo…

 

This report addresses blind spots in current research about the understudied circular phenomenon of reuse and the variety of formal (i.e. included in our economy through regulated economic units and …

 

In this report the contribution of circular economy in reaching the climate goals has been assessed for residential housing. The goals in the draft Flemish climate policy plan consider the territoria…

 

Maarten Christis and An Vercalsteren (VITO) This report contains the background data concerning the update of four macro indicators taking a central position in the monitoring of the circular econ…

 

In this report the set of indicators composing the mobility system is presented, as part of the CE monitor developed in the policy research centre. The indicators show that the current state of the m…

 

This report details the research conducted by researchers of the Steunpunt Circulaire Economie. The report covers the results of a consumer survey with over 2000 respondents, as well as four intervie…

 

Biomass Flows in the Flemish Economy Ive Vandereydt, Koen Breemersch (VITO), Kranti Navare (VITO) May 2019 This short-term assignment attempts to improve our understanding on the data availa…

 

Modelling job creation in the circular economy in Flanders Gwen Willeghems (Summa), Kris Bachus (Summa) May 2019 Framed within the Flemish policy research centre Circular Economy, this resea…

 

Impact of Circular Economy on achieving the climate targets: case mobility Maarten Christis (VITO), An Vercalsteren (VITO) May 2019 This study starts from the draft version of the Flemish Cl…

 

CO2 mineralisation for sustainable construction materials Andrea Di Maria (Summa), Ruben Snellings (VITO), Luc Alaerts (Summa), Mieke Quaghebeur (VITO), Luc Alaerts (Karel Van Acker) April 2019…

 

Towards a circular economy monitor for Flanders: a conceptual basis Conclusions of stakeholder workshop June 27, 2018 Januari 2019 In this document the concept for the circular economy m…

 

Employment impact of the transition to a circular economy: literature study Gwen Willeghems, Kris Bachus September 2018 Framed within the Flemish policy research centre Circular Economy,…

 

Exploration of the plastic recycling landscape in Flanders Marijke Jacobs (VITO), Ive Vanderreydt (VITO), Loïc Deweerdt (Summa), Luc Alaerts (Summa) Juni 2018   In order to identify a…

 

Indicators for a Circular Economy Vercalsteren An (VITO), Christis Maarten (VITO), Van Hoof Veronique (VITO) Juni 2018 Material related indicators are central in this study, however we w…

Journal papers

 

Abstract R. Reich, V. Vermeyen, L. Alaerts, K. Van Acker To date, the methods of compiling policy monitors for the circular economy (CE) often focus on recycling heavily and neglect higher circ…

 

Abstract J. Delanoeije, K. Bachus This study proposes a novel methodology to calculate reuse and apply this to Flanders. We combine available data from the Flemish reuse network about its resel…

 

Abstract S. Van Schoubroeck, V. Vermeyen, L. Alaerts, K. Van Acker, S. Van Passel Within the food sector, the implementation of a circular economy (CE) can reduce resource consumption and emiss…

 

Abstract L. De Weerdt, S. De Jaegher, T. Compernolle, S. Van Passel Sustainable management of industrial plastic waste is crucial in the transition to a circular economy. Today, most industrial…

 

Abstract G. Thomassen, J. Dewulf, S. Van Passel, L. Alaerts The plastic packaging recycling rate monitors how much of this waste flow is recycled for a specific year and region. To reach the ne…

 

Abstract G. Moraga, S. Huysveld, De Meester, S. and Dewulf, J. Electronics require a complex composition and energy-intensive manufacturing. Yet, most of the world's waste electrical and electr…

 

Abstract G. Thomassen, J. Dewulf, S. Van Passel Various waste management scenarios are available for photovoltaic (PV) modules. In these scenarios, materials are recovered with varying efficien…

 

Abstract R. Carmen, L. Alaerts, K Bachus, D. A. Chapman, J. Eyckmans, K Van Acker, L. Van Ootegem, and S. Rousseau The study focuses on the main barriers and drivers in the adoption of car shar…

 

Information about the use of material resources along time is essential to assess the closing and slowing down the loops in a circular economy. We propose two indicators that measure the use of …

 

Abstract J. Dewulf, S. Hellweg, S. Pfister, M.F. Godoy León, T. Sonderegger, C. Torres de Matos, G.A. Blengini, F. Mathieux Apart from sustainable energy sources like wind, solar or hydropower,…

 

Abstract G. Thomassen, S. Van Passel, J. Dewulf The transition to a circular economy requires new and improved technologies. For example, the collection of additional post-consumer packaging st…

 

Abstract J. Marin, Luc Allaerts, Karel Van Acker A number of issues about mapping the transition to the circular economy in Flanders can also be found at the urban level. Due to the smaller sca…

 

Abstract L. De Weerdt, T. Sasao, T. Compernolle, S. Van Passel, S. De Jaeger In the European Union, there are many countries and regions that impose a levy on the incineration of waste. Such a …

 

Abstract Donald A. Chapman, Johan Eyckmans, Karel Van Acker Car-sharing is believed to be a solution that can help to reduce both material demand and greenhouse gas emissions caused by cars. Th…

 

Abstract Loïc De Weerdt, Toshiaki Sasao, Tine Compernolle, Steven Van Passel, Simon De Jaeger Waste treatment taxation is a popular policy instrument in many European countries and regions. Its…

 

Abstract Andrea Di Maria, Karel Van Acker Juni 2018 Goethite is a metals-rich residue that occurs during zinc production. The feasibility of metal recovery from goethite has been demonstrate…

 

Abstract Andrea Di Maria, Johan Eyckmans, Karel Van Acker Mei 2018 Urgent solutions are needed in Europe to deal with construction and demolition waste (CDW). EU policy has contributed to si…

 

Purpose Andrea Di Maria, Muhammad Salman, Maarten Dubois & Karel Van Acker Februari 2018 Many new opportunities are explored to lower the CO2 emissions of the cement industry. Academic and i…

 

Abstract Andrea Di Maria, Ruben Snellings, Luc Alaerts, Mieke Quaghebeur, Karel Van Ackera Oktober 2019 Mineral carbonation is a carbon utilisation technology in which an alkaline material r…

 

Abstract The increasing focus on circular economy at the level of governments and policy requires the development of appropriate indicators to effectively monitor the progress towards the circ…

 

Abstract Circular Economy (CE) is a growing topic, especially in the European Union, that promotes the responsible and cyclical use of resources possibly contributing to sustainable developmen…

 

Impact of Bio-Based Plastics on Current Recycling of Plastics Luc Alaerts (Summa / KU Leuven), Michael Augustinus (KU Leuven), Karel Van Acker (Summa / KU Leuven) May 2018   Bio-based…

 

Using material flow analysis and life cycle assessment in decision support: A case study on WEEE valorization in Belgium Steven De Meester, Pieter Nachtergaele, Sam Debaveye, Peter Vos, Jo Dewulf …

PhD dissertaties

 

Summary Loïc De Weerdt Closing material loops and reducing resource extraction is considered to be the foundation of the circular economy that delivers environmental gains. Today, certain mater…

 

Abstract MSc Gustavo Longaray Moraga Our society has an astounding and increasing consumption of materials. By 2050, three planets could be needed to provide resources for our current lifestyle…

Conferences

Press

Publications of the previous Policy Research Centre (2012-2016)

Cluster 1: system analysis

Projects within this cluster

Cluster 2: monitoring and evaluation

Projects within this cluster

Cluster 3: socio-economic aspects

Projects within this cluster

Cluster 4: legal aspects

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Cluster 5: multi-actor governance

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Interdisciplinary publications

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Thesis defenses