The circular economy, in numbers
This page sets out circular economy targets and results for the world, the EU, Japan and Saga Prefecture from reports by international bodies and official statistics. The world economy is 6.9% circular (value for 2021), Japan's input-side cyclical use rate is about 17.0% (FY2023, against an FY2030 target of about 19%), and Saga Prefecture aims to raise its municipal waste recycling rate to 26.0% by FY2030.
Karatsu Farm & Food compiled this page as part of the Karatsu Data Bank. It adds no conclusions or evaluations and sets out only the figures and statements found in the sources. Values we calculated are marked "our calculation". Figures based on different methods or definitions are shown separately, not in the same table or series. No values were read off charts. Figures for Karatsu City are on our plastics in numbers page (section "Karatsu in numbers"). Japanese sources are summarised in our own translation; the original wording prevails.
| Standard | Scope | Published |
|---|---|---|
| ISO 59004 | Vocabulary, principles and guidance for implementation | 22 May 2024 |
| ISO 59010 | Guidance on the transition of business models and value networks | 22 May 2024 |
| ISO 59020 | Measuring and assessing circularity performance | 22 May 2024 |
| ISO 59014 | Recovery of secondary materials (ISO/TC 207/SC 5) | 1 October 2024 |
| ISO 59040 | Product circularity data sheet | 3 February 2025 |
Definition and international standards
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation states: "The circular economy is a system where materials never become waste and nature is regenerated." (Ellen MacArthur Foundation). Its three principles are: eliminate waste and pollution; circulate products and materials (at their highest value); and regenerate nature.
On 22 May 2024 ISO published three standards: ISO 59004 (vocabulary, principles and guidance for implementation), ISO 59010 (transition of business models and value networks) and ISO 59020 (measuring and assessing circularity performance) (ISO/TC 323). The ISO pages show all three at the stage "to be revised".
How the world uses resources
The UNEP International Resource Panel's Global Resources Outlook 2024 (UNEP GRO 2024) reports that material extraction grew from 30.9 billion tonnes in 1970 to 95.1 billion tonnes in 2020 and is expected to reach 106.6 billion tonnes in 2024 (p.26). Per person, it rose from 8.4 tonnes (1970) to 12.2 tonnes (2020). The report projects an increase of almost 60% from 2020 levels by 2060, to 160 billion tonnes (p.xiv).
The same report states that the extraction and processing of material resources account for over 55% of greenhouse gas emissions and 40% of particulate matter health-related impacts; including land-use change, climate impacts grow to more than 60%. Biomass (agricultural crops and forestry) accounts for over 90% of total land-use-related biodiversity loss and water stress. High-income countries use six times more materials per capita and are responsible for ten times more climate impacts per capita than low-income countries (p.xiv). See also our summaries of the IPBES Nexus Assessment and Business and Biodiversity (IPBES).
From the 2025 edition: a recalculated series, including 2018. Not comparable with the six bars above
Global circularity
The Circularity Gap Report by Circle Economy (Netherlands) estimates the share of materials entering the world economy that are cycled. The 2018 edition gave 9.1%; the 2020 edition, 2021 edition and 2022 edition gave 8.6%; and the 2023 edition and 2024 edition gave 7.2%.
The 2025 edition recalculated the series and reports a fall "from 7.2% in 2018 to 6.9% as of the latest available data (2021)" (p.27). Because the 2018 value differs by edition (9.1% in the 2018 edition, 7.2% in the 2025 edition), this page does not compare the two series. The 2025 edition puts processed materials flowing into the global economy at 106.1 billion tonnes (p.25).
The 2026 edition, The Value Gap, did not calculate a new circularity rate and refers to the previous edition's 6.9% (p.12). Instead it estimates "€25.4 trillion (± €4.7 trillion) in avoidable annual economic value lost" (p.6), equal to 30.8% of global GDP of EUR 82.6 trillion (p.36).
EU circular material use and regulations
According to Eurostat, the EU's circular material use rate rose from 10.7% in 2010 to 12.2% in 2024 (estimate) (Eurostat). The 2020 Circular Economy Action Plan aims to "double its circular material use rate in the coming decade" (COM(2020) 98); Eurostat describes the same aim as doubling the rate "by 2030 to reach 23.2%" (Eurostat news).
Under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), "From 19 July 2026, the destruction of unsold consumer products as listed in Annex VII shall be prohibited" (Article 25(1), Regulation (EU) 2024/1781); micro and small enterprises are exempt and medium-sized enterprises are covered from 19 July 2030. The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) applies from 12 August 2026 (Article 71, Regulation (EU) 2025/40).
For the Circular Economy Act, the European Parliament's Legislative Train (updated 20 September 2026) gives the status "Announced" and states that the Commission planned to publish a proposal in the third quarter of 2026 (European Parliament). The Commission's page says it is "Due for adoption in 2026" (European Commission).
| Indicator | FY2023 | FY2030 target | Review rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resource productivity (GDP / natural resource input) | about JPY 509,000/t | about JPY 600,000/t | Needs attention |
| Natural resource consumption per person | about 12.1 t (FY2021 value) | about 11 t per person per year | Needs attention |
| Share of renewable and recycled resources in input | about 30.1% | about 34% | Needs attention |
| Input-side cyclical use rate | about 17.0% | about 19% | Needs attention |
| Output-side cyclical use rate | about 43.6% | about 44% | Needs attention |
| Final disposal | about 12 million t | about 11 million t per year | Likely to meet target |
| Market size of circular-economy-related business | about JPY 70.6 trillion | JPY 80 trillion or more | Likely to meet target |
Japan's targets and results
Japan's Fifth Fundamental Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society (Cabinet decision, 2 August 2024; Fifth Plan) sets FY2030 targets including resource productivity of about JPY 600,000 per tonne, an input-side cyclical use rate of about 19%, an output-side cyclical use rate of about 44% and final disposal of about 11 million tonnes a year. Resource productivity is GDP divided by natural resource input; the input-side rate is cyclical use divided by natural resource input plus cyclical use; the output-side rate is cyclical use divided by waste generated (pp.113-114).
The Central Environment Council's first review report (September 2026; review report) rates final disposal and the market size of circular-economy-related business as likely to meet their targets, and the other five indicators as needing attention, based on FY2023 values. The output-side rate has been flat to falling since 46.1% in FY2013. Natural resource input in FY2023 was 1,092 million tonnes, which the report calls the lowest value in the estimates since FY1990.
The plan aims to grow the market for circular-economy-related business "from about JPY 50 trillion now to JPY 80 trillion or more by 2030" (p.117). The review report gives about JPY 70.6 trillion for FY2023.
Waste and its cost in Japan
The Ministry of the Environment reports that in FY2024 Japan generated 38.11 million tonnes of municipal waste, or 839 g per person per day, with a recycling rate of 19.3%, final disposal of 3.06 million tonnes and 24.9 years of landfill capacity remaining (MOE FY2024). In FY2023, industrial waste totalled 367.25 million tonnes, of which 200.79 million tonnes (54.7%) was recycled and 8.75 million tonnes went to final disposal (MOE industrial waste).
Municipal waste management costs rose from JPY 2.0885 trillion in FY2019 to JPY 2.4489 trillion in FY2024 (FY2019, MOE FY2024), or from JPY 16,400 to JPY 19,700 per person. In FY2024, construction and improvement accounted for JPY 556.1 billion and treatment and maintenance for JPY 1.7802 trillion (p.2).
Milestones in Japanese law and policy
29 May 2024: Act on Advancing Recycling Businesses (Act No. 41 of 2024) promulgated (e-Gov); fully in force from 21 November 2025 (Ministry of the Environment)
2 August 2024: Fifth Fundamental Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society adopted by the Cabinet (Fifth Plan)
27 December 2024: Package to accelerate the transition to a circular economy (Ministerial Council on the Circular Economy) (acceleration package)
4 June 2025: Amendment of the Act on the Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources (Act No. 52 of 2025) promulgated; in force from 1 April 2026, with some exceptions (e-Gov)
21 April 2026: Circular Economy Action Plan (decided by the Ministerial Council on the Circular Economy) (action plan)
| Category | Indicator | FY2023 (actual) | FY2030 (target) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Municipal waste | Amount discharged | 251,000 t | 228,000 t |
| Municipal waste | Recycling rate | 20.0% | 26.0% |
| Municipal waste | Final disposal | 10,000 t | 9,000 t |
| Municipal waste | Household waste per person per day | 527 g | 508 g |
| Municipal waste | Incineration per person per day | 697 g | 599 g |
| Industrial waste | Amount discharged | 3,128,000 t | 3,159,000 t |
| Industrial waste | Recycling rate | 61.2% | 61.8% |
| Industrial waste | Final disposal | 97,000 t | 87,000 t |
Saga Prefecture's waste plan targets
The Sixth Saga Prefecture Waste Management Plan (March 2026; Saga waste plan) aims, by FY2030, to raise the municipal waste recycling rate from 20.0% in FY2023 to 26.0% and to cut household waste per person per day from 527 g to 508 g. For industrial waste, it aims to raise the recycling rate from 61.2% to 61.8% and cut final disposal from 97,000 to 87,000 tonnes.
Among its measures, the plan lists "promoting efforts to curb waste and circulate resources through upcycling" (p.16) and states that it will develop measures in light of new developments such as the Act on Advancing Recycling Businesses, the Plastic Resource Circulation Act and legislation on solar panel recycling (p.15; our translation).
Waste management costs in Saga Prefecture
According to the Ministry of the Environment's municipal waste survey, municipalities and joint associations in Saga Prefecture spent JPY 14.16 billion on waste management in FY2024 (excluding contributions to joint associations), of which JPY 11.76 billion was treatment and maintenance and JPY 1.19 billion construction and improvement (MOE FY2024). In FY2023 the total was JPY 24.25 billion, of which JPY 11.40 billion was construction and improvement (MOE FY2023). Totals are higher in years with large construction and improvement costs.
Saga Prefecture does not publish a per-person figure. Using the same method as the national figure, dividing the FY2024 total by the total population of 794,655 (MOE overview) gives about JPY 17,823 per person, or about JPY 14,800 for treatment and maintenance alone (our calculation). The national figure is JPY 19,700.
Industrial waste tax
Saga Prefecture has levied an industrial waste tax since 1 April 2005: JPY 1,000 per tonne delivered to final disposal sites and JPY 800 per tonne delivered to incineration facilities (Saga Prefecture). Revenue in FY2024 was JPY 150,043,040 (Saga tax statistics). The prefecture lists uses of the revenue including stronger support for developing and marketing recycled products, support for facilities that reduce industrial waste, and support for facilities that build the recycling industry (Saga Prefecture; our translation).
Saga certified recycled products
In 2001 Saga Prefecture created a scheme that certifies products made from circular resources (waste, by-products of manufacturing, thinned timber and similar) as Saga certified recycled products (Saga Prefecture). The prefecture's brochure states that it "has so far certified 190 products", about 90% of which are secondary concrete products and recycled civil engineering materials such as crusher-run (Saga brochure; our translation). Certification is valid for three years and can be renewed. The prefecture states that it endeavours to give certified products priority in public works.
Frequently asked questions
Q1. What is a circular economy?
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation describes it as "a system where materials never become waste and nature is regenerated", based on three principles: eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials at their highest value, and regenerate nature. Among international standards, ISO 59004:2024 sets out vocabulary, principles and guidance for implementation.
Q2. How circular is the world economy?
Circle Economy's Circularity Gap Report 2025 puts global circularity at 6.9% (value for 2021). The same report recalculates 2018 as 7.2%, which differs from the 9.1% in the 2018 edition, so values cannot be compared across editions. The 2026 edition did not calculate a new circularity rate.
Q3. What are Japan's circular economy targets, and where does it stand?
Japan's Fifth Fundamental Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society (Cabinet decision, 2 August 2024) sets FY2030 targets including an input-side cyclical use rate of about 19%, an output-side cyclical use rate of about 44% and final disposal of about 11 million tonnes. The first review report (September 2026) gives FY2023 values of about 17.0%, about 43.6% and about 12 million tonnes, and rates final disposal and market size as "likely to meet the target" and the other five of the seven indicators as "needing attention".
Q4. What targets has Saga Prefecture set?
The Sixth Saga Prefecture Waste Management Plan (March 2026) aims to raise the municipal waste recycling rate from 20.0% (FY2023) to 26.0% and cut household waste per person per day from 527 g to 508 g by FY2030. For industrial waste, it aims to raise the recycling rate from 61.2% to 61.8%. The plan's recycling rates use the prefecture's own definition.
Q5. How much does waste management cost?
According to the Ministry of the Environment, municipal waste management in Japan cost JPY 2.4489 trillion in FY2024, or JPY 19,700 per person. In Saga Prefecture, municipalities and joint associations spent JPY 14.16 billion, about JPY 17,823 per person when divided by the total population (our calculation).
Source ledger
| Source | Publisher | Date | URL | Accessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What is a circular economy? (Circular economy introduction) | Ellen MacArthur Foundation | https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/overview | 2026-10-15 | |
| ISO 59004:2024 Circular economy — Vocabulary, principles and guidance for implementation | ISO | 2024-05-22 | https://www.iso.org/standard/80648.html | 2026-10-15 |
| ISO 59010:2024 Circular economy — Guidance on the transition of business models and value networks | ISO | 2024-05-22 | https://www.iso.org/standard/80649.html | 2026-10-15 |
| ISO 59020:2024 Circular economy — Measuring and assessing circularity performance | ISO | 2024-05-22 | https://www.iso.org/standard/80650.html | 2026-10-15 |
| ISO 59014:2024 (recovery of secondary materials) | ISO | 2024-10-01 | https://www.iso.org/standard/80694.html | 2026-10-15 |
| ISO 59040:2025 Circular economy — Product circularity data sheet | ISO | 2025-02-03 | https://www.iso.org/standard/82339.html | 2026-10-15 |
| ISO/TC 323 Circular economy | ISO | https://www.iso.org/committee/7203984.html | 2026-10-15 | |
| Global Resources Outlook 2024 | UNEP International Resource Panel | 2024-03-01 | https://www.resourcepanel.org/sites/default/files/documents/document/media/gro24_full_report_29feb_final_for_web.pdf | 2026-10-15 |
| The Circularity Gap Report 2018 | Circle Economy | 2018-01 | https://ce-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/ad6e59_733a71635ad946bc9902dbdc52217018_compressed_c09bd8ae33.pdf | 2026-10-15 |
| The Circularity Gap Report 2020 (summary page) | Circle Economy | 2020-01 | https://www.circle-economy.com/resources/circularity-gap-report-2020 | 2026-10-15 |
| The Circularity Gap Report 2021 | Circle Economy | 2021-01-22 | https://ce-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/20210122_CGR_Global_2021_Report_210x297mm_23b2ce2c45.pdf | 2026-10-15 |
| The Circularity Gap Report 2022 | Circle Economy | 2022-01 | https://ce-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/1_Report_CGR_Global_2022_37f35dcdd5.pdf | 2026-10-15 |
| The Circularity Gap Report 2023 (summary page) | Circle Economy | https://circularity-gap.world/2023 | 2026-10-15 | |
| The Circularity Gap Report 2024, Executive Summary | Circle Economy | 2024-01 | https://circulareconomy.europa.eu/platform/sites/default/files/2024-01/65ae7d516defe92cc1988a47_CGR%20Global%202024%20-%20Executive%20Summary.pdf | 2026-10-15 |
| The Circularity Gap Report 2025 | Circle Economy | 2025-05 | https://ce-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/CGR_Global_2025_Complete_document_a3edd17a1b.pdf | 2026-10-15 |
| The Circularity Gap Report 2026: The Value Gap | Circle Economy | 2026-04 | https://circulareconomy.europa.eu/platform/sites/default/files/2026-04/The%20Circularity%20Gap%20Report%202026%20%281%29.pdf | 2026-10-15 |
| Circular material use rate (cei_srm030) | Eurostat | 2025-11-24 (updated) | https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/cei_srm030/default/table | 2026-10-15 |
| Eurostat news, 19 November 2025 | Eurostat | 2025-11-19 | https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20251119-1 | 2026-10-15 |
| A new Circular Economy Action Plan, COM(2020) 98 | European Commission | 2020-03-11 | https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52020DC0098 | 2026-10-15 |
| Legislative Train: Circular Economy Act | European Parliament | 2026-09-20 (updated) | https://www.europarl.europa.eu/legislative-train/theme-a-new-plan-for-europe-s-sustainable-prosperity-and-competitiveness/file-circular-economy-act | 2026-10-15 |
| Circular economy (European Commission, Environment) | European Commission | https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/circular-economy_en | 2026-10-15 | |
| Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 | EU | 2024-07-18 (in force) | https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1781/oj/eng | 2026-10-15 |
| Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (EU) 2025/40 | EU | 2025-02-11 (in force) | https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/40/oj/eng | 2026-10-15 |
| Fifth Fundamental Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society (in Japanese) | Ministry of the Environment, Japan | 2024-08-02 (Cabinet decision) | https://www.env.go.jp/content/000242999.pdf | 2026-10-15 |
| First review report on the Fifth Fundamental Plan (in Japanese) | Central Environment Council, Sound Material-Cycle Society Committee | 2026-09 | https://www.env.go.jp/content/000430137.pdf | 2026-10-15 |
| Municipal waste generation and treatment, FY2024 (in Japanese) | Ministry of the Environment, Japan | 2026-03-27 | https://www.env.go.jp/recycle/waste_tech/ippan/r6/data/env_press.pdf | 2026-10-15 |
| Waste treatment in Japan, FY2023 edition (in Japanese) | Ministry of the Environment, Japan | 2025-03 | https://www.env.go.jp/recycle/waste_tech/ippan/r5/data/disposal.pdf | 2026-10-15 |
| Municipal waste generation and treatment, FY2022 (in Japanese) | Ministry of the Environment, Japan | FY2022 data | https://www.env.go.jp/recycle/waste_tech/ippan/r4/data/env_press.pdf | 2026-10-15 |
| Municipal waste generation and treatment, FY2021 (in Japanese) | Ministry of the Environment, Japan | FY2021 data | https://www.env.go.jp/recycle/waste_tech/ippan/r3/data/env_press.pdf | 2026-10-15 |
| Municipal waste generation and treatment, FY2020 (in Japanese) | Ministry of the Environment, Japan | FY2020 data | https://www.env.go.jp/recycle/waste_tech/ippan/r2/data/env_press.pdf | 2026-10-15 |
| Municipal waste generation and treatment, FY2019 (in Japanese) | Ministry of the Environment, Japan | FY2019 data | https://www.env.go.jp/recycle/waste_tech/ippan/r1/data/env_press.pdf | 2026-10-15 |
| Industrial waste generation and treatment, FY2023 (in Japanese) | Ministry of the Environment, Japan | 2026-03-27 | https://www.env.go.jp/press/110498_00003.html | 2026-10-15 |
| Package to accelerate the transition to a circular economy (in Japanese) | Ministerial Council on the Circular Economy (Cabinet Secretariat) | 2024-12-27 | https://www.cas.go.jp/jp/seisaku/economiccirculation/pdf/honbun.pdf | 2026-10-15 |
| Circular Economy Action Plan of Japan (in Japanese) | Ministerial Council on the Circular Economy (Cabinet Secretariat) | 2026-04-21 | https://www.cas.go.jp/jp/seisaku/economiccirculation/pdf/honbun_080421.pdf | 2026-10-15 |
| Act on Advancing Recycling Businesses (Act No. 41 of 2024), legal texts (in Japanese) | Ministry of the Environment, Japan | https://policies.env.go.jp/recycle/recycling_business/resource_circulation/law-overview/hourei.html | 2026-10-15 | |
| Act on the Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources (e-Gov, in Japanese) | e-Gov (Digital Agency) | https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/403AC0000000048 | 2026-10-15 | |
| Act on the Promotion of Resource Circulation through Advancement of Recycling Businesses (e-Gov, in Japanese) | e-Gov (Digital Agency) | https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/506AC0000000041 | 2026-10-15 | |
| Sixth Saga Prefecture Waste Management Plan (in Japanese) | Saga Prefecture | 2026-03 | https://www.pref.saga.lg.jp/kiji003116939/3_116939_385475_up_ev5d5k5i.pdf | 2026-10-15 |
| Municipal waste survey, Saga Prefecture costs, FY2024 (Excel, in Japanese) | Ministry of the Environment, Japan | FY2024 data | https://www.env.go.jp/recycle/waste_tech/ippan/r6/data/shori/city/41/04.xlsx | 2026-10-15 |
| Municipal waste survey, Saga Prefecture costs, FY2023 (Excel, in Japanese) | Ministry of the Environment, Japan | FY2023 data | https://www.env.go.jp/recycle/waste_tech/ippan/r5/data/shori/city/41/04.xlsx | 2026-10-15 |
| Municipal waste survey, Saga Prefecture overview, FY2024 (Excel, in Japanese) | Ministry of the Environment, Japan | FY2024 data | https://www.env.go.jp/recycle/waste_tech/ippan/r6/data/shori/city/41/01.xlsx | 2026-10-15 |
| Industrial waste tax (in Japanese) | Saga Prefecture | https://www.pref.saga.lg.jp/kiji00332029/index.html | 2026-10-15 | |
| Industrial waste tax and how revenue is used (in Japanese) | Saga Prefecture | https://www.pref.saga.lg.jp/kiji00332072/index.html | 2026-10-15 | |
| Saga Prefecture tax statistics, FY2024 (in Japanese) | Saga Prefecture | 2026-03-16 (updated) | https://www.pref.saga.lg.jp/kiji00385348/3_85348_up_osph0h0h.pdf | 2026-10-15 |
| Saga Prefecture certified recycled products scheme (in Japanese) | Saga Prefecture | 2026-09-24 (updated) | https://www.pref.saga.lg.jp/kiji00314134/index.html | 2026-10-15 |
| Saga Prefecture certified recycled products, FY2026 brochure (in Japanese) | Saga Prefecture | FY2026 | https://www.pref.saga.lg.jp/kiji00314134/3_14134_401532_up_4kxtyz3c.pdf | 2026-10-15 |
What this page does not cover
It does not cover figures for Karatsu City (see plastics in numbers), does not evaluate the efforts of individual municipalities, companies or organisations, and does not include results of our own projects. Figures that could not be checked against primary sources, and values read off charts, are not included. Circularity Gap Report values are not compared across editions because the method changed. Japanese sources are summarised in our own translation; the original wording prevails.
About this page
Compiled by Hiroaki Kojima, Vice Director, Karatsu Farm & Food / Contact: kojima@karatsu-f-f.com (contact page) / Published: October 15, 2026 / Markdown: en/circular-economy-data.mdRelated links
▶ Karatsu Data Bank
▶ Plastics in numbers
▶ IPBES Nexus Assessment summary
▶ Business and Biodiversity (IPBES)
▶ Precious Plastic Karatsu (our project)
▶ サーキュラーエコノミーのデータ（日本語）