image: Normann Szklop

Netherlands aim for lead in the circular economy

March 31, 2015 5:46 am by Tim Willmott : Comments Off on Netherlands aim for lead in the circular economy

Netherlands President of Council of EU in 2015

As part of its desire to make the circular economy a centrepiece of its presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first half of 2016, the Netherlands has started a project to make the Netherlands a “circular hotspot”.

Circular Hotspot

The Circular Hotspot will start a number of projects to demonstrate the opportunities and create a network that would have an overall influence on Dutch policy to encourage the take-up of circular economy principles under the Realisation of Acceleration of a Circular Economy (RACE) programme, which is overseen by Circle Economy (a cooperative with members including companies, researchers and public bodies) and is backed by Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte.

RACE has a series of work packages to:

Define and stimulate circular design;
Stimulate high-quality reuse of products;
Analyse the barriers to the circular economy;
Create a portfolio of circular projects that will serve as examples;
Raise public awareness about the circular economy;
Involve young people in the transition to a circular economy.

The Netherlands as a circular hotspot

For economies to become truly circular, there is a need to create a global circular hotspot, a country taking the lead in the quest for circularity, enticing others to follow quickly. The Netherlands offers great conditions for becoming the world’s circular hotspot. The Dutch are entrepreneurial, experienced with sustainability and have a proven ability to overcome challenges in the areas of water and agriculture. The smallness of the country and its level of urbanization, the main ports and its function as transportation hub make the Netherlands an ideal living lab.

Moreover, the Dutch feel a great sense of urgency, as they are dependent on other countries for raw materials and, therefore, have a strong interest in an effective and fair worldwide distribution of materials.

We look forward to hearing about the new projects in the coming months.

More here.

Circle Economy
Nieuwe Herengracht 95
1011RX Amsterdam
The Netherlands
+31 88 4040440

circle-economy.com
info@circle-economy.com

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52.367857, 4.907271 Circle Economy, AmsterdamNieuwe Herengracht 95, 1011RX Amsterdam, Netherlands (Directions)

Article by Tim Willmott

Tim is the creator of sustainapedia.com and heads digital publisher Treading Lightly. His interests include nature and wild places, cooking, film, sport and music. He is a poet, writer and commentator.

View more by Tim Willmott

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