The material flows of lead in the Czech Republic

•Czech Republic is influenced by the external trade because of the absence of primary lead resources.•Negative balance of the major material inputs and outputs of lead was reported in the monitored period.•Lead waste treatment for further utilization is at an acceptable level.•The national data are aggregated and do not give a detailed overview of selected material flows.

The material flows of lead in the Czech Republic have been surveyed through their identification and quantification (in 2011). The results obtained from there were used for the appraisal of the process of creating closed-loop material flows of lead in the Czech Republic. The study was based on the conceptual and strategic documents of both national and European provenance. The results achieved have shown that the economic system of the Czech Republic is influenced by lack of primary lead resources, and as such, it is dependent on the import of Pb-containing waste materials and commodities, as well as reusable waste and secondary raw materials. The process of creating closed-loop material flows of lead in the Czech Republic achieves adequate levels; considering the idea of so called “recycling society,” economic activities, such as collection, accumulation, disposal and treatment of waste, should be made more efficient on an ongoing basis as a part of sustainable consumption and production systems.