News item | 03-02-2023 | 4:00 pm
In the coming years, the government will take numerous measures to deal more economically and innovatively with raw materials and products. Clothing should be reused or recycled much more often. The construction industry must also start reusing more. And electronic devices must be able to last longer. Only with more ambition, clear rules and circular entrepreneurship will the goal of having an economy virtually free of waste by 2050 remain feasible. In addition, a change in thinking is also required. This is stated by State Secretary Heijnen of Infrastructure and Water Management. She is sending the National Program for Circular Economy to the House of Representatives, also on behalf of the ministers of EZK, LNV and the ministers for BHOS, KenE and VRO.
State Secretary Heijnen: “We need to change course. We really need to look differently at how we deal with the limited raw materials that are available. We are too used to consuming stuff and that produces a huge amount of waste and exhausts the earth. I don’t normally like very big words, but the reuse of raw materials and products is the only way to keep the earth livable. Also for the generations after us. If we continue like this, we will soon need the resources of three globes, and we only have one. That is unsustainable. There is often attention for the percentage of economic growth. I think we should take a broader view and also pay attention to how circular our economy is. Not only for the quality of life on our planet, but also for a future-proof economy.”
Circular economy does not happen by itself
In a circular economy, items that are currently considered waste are reused. This ensures that we need fewer raw materials from the earth. Especially when you consider that an estimated ten billion people will live on the earth in 2050, that is not a luxury but a necessity. That is why the government wants the economy to be fully circular by 2050. That does 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 needed at all levels: governments, producers and consumers.
New measures
In the National Program for the Circular Economy, State Secretary Heijnen presents a number of measures to get the Netherlands on track. Various sectors that cause a lot of pollution must produce less waste. Construction is an example of this. A significant portion of the raw materials used annually are accounted for by the construction industry. There are plenty of options. For example, bridge components can be given a second life, concrete can be recycled and much more sustainable materials such as straw, cattail and wood can be used in housing.
The same goes for clothing. The production of new clothing involves a lot of pollution. We must be more aware of this, also in the choices we make in this regard. What do I buy and what do I not buy? And can it be done differently? Buying a vintage jacket or trousers that are made in a circular way? From 2025, 50% of all textiles must be reused or recycled after disposal. Manufacturers are responsible for that.
Electronics must also last longer, which is now too often quickly thrown away. If more account is taken of the possibility of repair in the design, this will save an enormous mountain of waste. At EU level, work is being done on European legislation to encourage the repair of products for companies and consumers in an efficient manner.
But there is also a major role for companies and residents of the Netherlands. That is why there are subsidy and tax schemes and people are actively involved. The government is going to work to create an environment in which it becomes logical, easy and fair for companies and citizens to opt for sustainable, circular products. In this way, there are also more and more opportunities for consumers to opt for circular options.
A final concrete point is that Dutch governments will be purchasing much more circularly. Because such major players do this, the market grows and it pays off for companies to invest in circular working.
Agreements on circular entrepreneurship
State Secretary Heijnen not only wants to introduce new rules in the coming years, but also to make agreements with numerous companies and organizations to work more circularly. The market for circular is growing, in the past two years alone 30,000 new circular companies have been added to our country. Dutch companies earn a lot of money worldwide with circular solutions. We must take advantage of these opportunities so that the Netherlands can also become a leader in this area. The National Circular Economy Conference 2023 will take place on 6 February. Heijnen will make agreements there and at other times with companies, employers’ organisations, financial and knowledge institutions, trade unions, civil society organizations and local authorities about the contribution they can make to achieving the goals.
Cabinet-wide and working in Europe
The transition to a circular economy has many similarities with other transitions, such as the climate and energy transition, the housing task and the transition in rural areas, but also in healthcare, sports, logistics and mobility. That is why many ministries are involved. Europe also has an important role, because the Netherlands cannot do this alone. In the past, for example, the Netherlands successfully campaigned for a more ambitious European policy against single-use plastics.
In addition, international cooperation is being intensified. Accelerated transition cannot be achieved by the Netherlands alone.