State Secretary Heijnen: “We need a change of course. We really have to look differently at how we handle the limited raw materials available. We are too accustomed to consuming goods, which generates enormous amounts of waste and depletes the earth. I usually dont like big words, but reuse of raw materials and products is the only way to keep the earth livable, also for generations after us. If we continue like this, we will need the raw materials of three Earths, but we only have one. That is unsustainable. There is often attention for the percentage of economic growth. I believe we need to look more broadly and also pay attention to how circular our economy is. Not only for the livability of our planet but also for a future-proof economy.”
The circular economy does not happen automatically
In a circular economy, items currently considered waste are reused. This reduces the need for raw materials from the earth. Especially considering that by 2050 an estimated ten billion people will live on earth, this is not a luxury but a necessity. Therefore, the cabinet wants the economy to be fully circular by 2050. This will not happen automatically. Last week, the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency concluded that we are not on track and that new measures are needed. Efforts are required at all levels: governments, producers, and consumers.
New measures
In the National Circular Economy Program, State Secretary Heijnen presents several measures to get the Netherlands on track. Various sectors that cause a lot of pollution must be required to produce less waste. Construction is an example. A significant part of the raw materials used annually is accounted for by construction. There are many possibilities. For example, bridge parts can get a second life, concrete can be recycled, and many more sustainable materials such as straw, bulrush, and wood can be used in housing construction.
The same applies to clothing. The production of new clothing causes a lot of pollution. We need to be more aware of this, also in the choices we make ourselves. What do I buy and what do I not buy? And can it be different? Buying a vintage jacket or pants made circularly? From 2025, 50% of all textiles must be reused or recycled after disposal. Producers will be responsible for this.
Electronics must also last longer; currently, they are discarded too quickly. Designing with repairability in mind can reduce a huge amount of waste. At the EU level, work is underway on European legislation to efficiently stimulate product repair for companies and consumers.
But companies and residents of the Netherlands also have a major role. Therefore, subsidy and fiscal schemes exist, and people are actively involved. The government is working to create an environment where it is logical, easy, and fair for companies and citizens to choose sustainable, circular products. Thus, consumers will have more opportunities to choose circular options.
A final concrete point is that Dutch governments will purchase much more circularly. Because such large players do this, the market grows, and it pays off for companies to invest in circular work.
Agreements on circular entrepreneurship
State Secretary Heijnen wants not only to introduce new rules in the coming years but also to make agreements with many companies and organizations to work more circularly. The market for circularity is growing; in the past two years alone, 30,000 new circular companies have emerged in our country. Dutch companies earn a lot of money worldwide with circular solutions. These opportunities must be seized so that the Netherlands becomes a frontrunner in this field. On February 6, the National Circular Economy Conference 2023 will take place. Heijnen will make agreements there and at other times with companies, employer organizations, financial and knowledge institutions, trade unions, social organizations, and local governments about their contributions to achieving the goals.
Cabinet-wide and European efforts
The transition to a circular economy has many overlaps with other transitions, such as climate and energy transition, housing construction challenges, and rural area transition, but also in healthcare, sports, logistics, and mobility. Therefore, many ministries are involved. Europe also plays an important role, as the Netherlands cannot do this alone. For example, the Netherlands has successfully advocated for more ambitious European policies against single-use plastics.
Moreover, international cooperation is being intensified. The accelerated transition cannot be done by the Netherlands alone.
