Circular construction gains momentum in North Holland with 100 partners and real-world results
North Holland is leading the shift toward circular construction, cutting waste and costs by reusing materials. With nearly 100 partners involved, projects like a Texel nursing home show how demolition can be sustainable—keeping over 98% of materials in use and setting a new standard for the sector.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of partners | ~100 (municipalities, demolition firms, builders, housing corporations) |
| Project example | Former primary school on Texel reused 98% of materials |
| Cost efficiency | Circular demolition often cheaper than traditional methods |
| Province leading efforts | North Holland, with tools like an online materials dashboard |
| Biobased integration | Subsidies support renewable materials via Kansen voor West program |
| Expansion | Approach shared with other provinces and at EU level |
The Province of North Holland plays a key role in accelerating the circular economy, particularly in construction. It facilitates collaboration between public and private sectors, funds initiatives, and develops tools to make sustainable practices the norm rather than the exception.
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Weblog by Esther Rommel: Why circular construction is becoming increasingly concrete for me
Circular economy can sometimes sound grand and abstract. But I’m seeing more and more: it’s actually happening. At consultation tables, governments, businesses, and housing corporations are increasingly seeking smart solutions. And you see beautiful examples in practice: on construction sites, at large industrial estates, and among individual entrepreneurs. That’s what makes it so inspiring to keep going.
The construction sector uses an enormous amount of raw materials. About half of all materials used in the Netherlands go into construction. At the same time, during demolition, valuable materials are still too often discarded. That no longer feels right for our time, and it isn’t. That’s why, as a province, we are fully committed to circular and biobased construction—not just in policy, but especially in practice.
From talking to doing
A great example of this is the Circular Deal for Secondary Construction Materials. What started in North Holland North with a group of motivated frontrunners has now grown into a solid network of around 100 parties. Municipalities, demolition companies, builders, housing corporations, engineering firms: all with the same goal. Smarter demolition, preserving materials, and reusing them in new projects.
What strikes me is how much energy this generates. Through workshops, site visits, and open discussions where knowledge and experiences are shared, trust is built. Parties learn from each other, dare to try new things, and actively seek collaboration. This way, circular demolition is no longer an extra effort but increasingly the logical choice.
Tangible results
The best part is that the results are visible. Not just financially—research shows that circular demolition is often cheaper than traditional demolition—but also in practice. Take the former primary school on Texel. During demolition, nearly everything was reused. Less than 2 percent of the materials were lost. And now, a new sustainable nursing home stands in its place. That shows just how much potential there is in looking differently at existing buildings.
To support projects like this, we’ve also developed practical tools. An online dashboard provides insight into available materials and ongoing projects. This helps clients make circular choices. No complicated theory—just knowing: what’s available, and what can I do with it?
Circular and biobased
Circular construction doesn’t stand alone. Increasingly, we’re combining it with biobased construction, using materials that are renewable and have less impact on our living environment. Through subsidies, such as in the Kansen voor West (Opportunities for West) program, we support housing corporations in getting started with this. The stories that emerge—about learning, experimenting, and sometimes adjusting—are at least as valuable as the figures.
Building further together
What gives me confidence is that we’re not doing this alone. The approach from North Holland is being shared with other provinces and even discussed at the European level. At the same time, we continue building here: on networks, on knowledge, and on a new standard in construction. For me, circular construction is no longer an abstract goal. It’s people working together, materials getting a second life, and buildings showing that it can be done differently. And every step, no matter how small, brings that future closer.
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