Analysis of Local Material Consumption Concerning Recycling Performance in Austria, Belgium, Germany, and Denmark (2012-2022)

Abstract

This paper focuses on whether circular economy approaches have adequately cut resources wasting in four European countries with their sophisticated recycling frameworks. The study takes domestic consumption of materials (DMC) as a variable alongside the recycling rate of packaging waste and electronic waste. Such variables where determined to see if higher recycling rates are associated with reduced material consumption which is calculated by DMC. From finding and analysis of the studied countries, it has showed different results, with some demonstrating significant DMC reductions at the same time a high recycling rates. Others demonstrated limited decoupling despite having strong recycling performance rate. The analysis suggests that while applying the principles of circular economy aids in increasing resource efficiency. However, increased recycling rate does not meet the threshold of absolute resource decoupling. In other words, comprehensive policies beyond recycling are required to reduce material consumption. The study analyzes the effectiveness of circular economy indicator and draws attention to the fact that further change is required to fundamentally disassociate economic growth from resource utilization. These conclusions are relevant to policymakers and researchers hoping to develop policy frameworks directed at reducing resource consumption through circular economy principles.