News item | 20-03-2025 | 14:30
Governments will work together even better to better use opportunities for circularity. They have made agreements about this at the National Conference Circular Economy in Leeuwarden.
The central government, provinces, municipalities and water boards signed the ‘joining forces of circular economy’ on Thursday. State Secretary Chris Jansen (public transport and the environment) signed his signature on behalf of the Central Government.
Opportunities for innovation
In a circular economy, items that are often seen as waste are reused and materials are recycled. For example, fewer new raw materials are needed and we reduce our dependence on other countries, including in the field of critical raw materials. Circularity also offers opportunities for Dutch entrepreneurs to innovate and for their earning capacity.
The cabinet wants the economy to be completely circular in 2050. Collaboration with other parties, such as co -authorities, business and consumers is essential for this. The agreement signed on Thursday will contribute to this.
Working together more effectively
With this collaboration, the various governments ensure that the public is spent money more efficiently because double work is prevented. Policy measures are better coordinated. Consider, for example, joint principles for circular purchasing policy, which gives clarity and predictability for market parties. The parties will also develop and share more knowledge together in the field of the circular economy. For example around permits.
State Secretary Jansen: “By signing the Circular Economy forces Agreement, Rijk and Region are taking an important step in the acceleration of the circular transition. By working together, we as governments can contribute stronger and more efficiently to a circular economy in the Netherlands. An economy that contributes to our strategic independence and where in the future, in both the future.”
Friso Douwstra, Portetfeuille holder Circular Economy on behalf of the Interprovincial Consultation: “De Nederlandse provincies behoren tot de meest concurrerende regio’s van Europa. Het kabinet heeft de ambitie om deze positie verder te versterken. Als provincies zien we de commerciële kansen van de circulaire economie in de regio. Of het nu gaat om grondstoffenbesparing, slimmere ketensamenwerking of nieuwe businessmodellen: circulariteit is handel! Door als overheden onze krachten te bundelen, kunnen we onze regio’s, bedrijven en ondernemers beter ondersteunen en stimuleren In this transition, so that they become even more competitive. “
Maaike Veeningen, alderman for the municipality of Almere, on behalf of the VNG committee Ekem: “Municipalities are crucial players in the transition to a circular economy. They are already fully committed, but nobody can only realize this transition. By joining forces, we work smarter, we prevent us from reinventing the wheel and we can reach the scale together. Collaboration is the key to convert circular ambitions into concrete results. Now we are going to work!”
Sander Mager, vice-chairman of the Union of Water Boards: “As water boards, we can no longer do our work if the transition to a circular economy is stopping. We need many materials to build and maintain dikes, pumping stations and purification installations. Those materials are becoming more expensive and scarce. It is essential that as governments we bundle our purchasing power and make masses to market parties, for example, also to the reused of materials, for example, from more reused and biobased materials, sewage water and by using dredging and cuttings of dikes for biobased materials “