To ensure the independence and sustainability of the Netherlands, it is important that our economy starts running on reusable raw materials. The National Raw Materials Agreement, signed early this year by 180 public and private parties, makes agreements around this theme concrete.
Minister Henk Kamp of Economic Affairs and State Secretary Sharon Djiksma of Infrastructure & Environment signed on behalf of the cabinet. The Dutch business community was represented by Hans de Boer (VNO-NCW) and Michaël van Straalen (MKB-Nederland).
Opportunities
Kamp stated during the signing that there are opportunities for the Dutch economy through cost savings and the creation of a new manufacturing industry. "A circular economy is not only good for our climate but also generates income and jobs. Research shows that until 2023, the circular economy in the Netherlands is good for a market value of €7.3 billion per year and 54,000 jobs. So opportunities abound in business, and this is not least true for the construction industry. This still relatively conservative industry has plenty of opportunities to take up the gauntlet in this way."
Environment State Secretary Sharon Dijksma cited that we need to learn to think differently about raw materials and waste. "We have to get rid of the disposable culture. As early as the design stage, we need to think about how we can reuse raw materials." The government wants to halve the use of raw materials already by 2030.
2050
The National Raw Materials Agreement builds on the plan, presented by the cabinet in September, to promote the transition to a circular economy. Within a short time, concrete plans should be proposed on the topics of biomass, food, plastics, manufacturing, construction and consumer goods. These define specific steps to be taken to achieve a circular economy by 2050.
Bink Industrial/Lune is one of the manufacturing companies that signed the Raw Materials Agreement. The specialist in metalworking and waste systems has long been concerned with circularity. Its website even dedicates a special page to it: "Our aim is to reuse products, parts and raw materials/materials as high-quality as possible. In doing so, we encourage designers and manufacturers to take a different - immediately circular - look at design and production. Then it often becomes relatively easy to upgrade and repair a product, making it guaranteed futureproof."
'Raw materials are finite'
Director and owner of Brink Industrial Wido den Bosch firmly believes in a circular economy and therefore founded the Lune industry a few years ago with which he started producing waste systems himself. "The government's policy is: from waste to raw material. So it starts with waste collection. We are at the beginning of that line with our waste systems and bins."
Van den Bosch argues that circularity is necessary because all raw materials are finite. "Steel may not be so finite now, but it too will come one day. So it is important that we use our raw materials sparingly." Local business is an important prerequisite for a successful circular economy. "If you want to be circular, you should not send products back to China for repair or refurbishment. Then your footprint is far too big. On the contrary, new systems should be local as much as possible so that you are close to the market and do not make unnecessary transport movements."
Just do it
Van den Bosch says small companies can also contribute to a circular manufacturing industry. "The most important lesson I have learned after 2.3 years of circular procurement is just do it. Just start. It's really not necessary to make something 100% circular right away. If a product is 50% circular, you have already done a lot. What is important is that you make it part of the company's vision and strategy. It doesn't matter whether you are in metal or plastics, it always makes sense to look at it. Make it practical and see what skills you can already add. Then you will automatically see the starting points for your company."
Source: central government
By: Kelly Bakker
