The Netherlands aims to develop a circular economy by 2050. It’s a small country, heavily dependent on imports, and to meet this ambition it needs to cooperate with others. Joan Prummel, International Advisor, Circular Economy at the Netherlands’ Rijkswaterstaat meets with organizations from around the world to help them implement circular procurement practices.

Why does the government of the Netherlands have a strong focus on circularity?

“Circular economy is not a goal in itself but a means to an end. Circular economy in our view is a systemic approach to deliver on and contribute to several issues. Think not only of resources but also carbon emissions, job creation, pollution, land and water use, and social circumstances. Circular economy as a system will contribute to many of the UN Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) we al