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builds circular: Showcasing the Frisian approach to circularity","\u003Cp>-20% of participating projects focused on new circular housing.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>-The successful launch of the Fibre Hemp Deal, committing to insulate homes using locally sourced hemp-based materials.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>-Establishment of the VCF platform as a central hub for knowledge sharing, events, and guided tours.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>-Over 40 active construction projects, including new builds, renovations, and demolitions.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>-Five large-scale impact projects, which set high standards for circular area development.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Key ambitions:\u003C/p>\u003Cp>-Housing: Embed circularity in all 17,720 homes built in Friesland by 2030.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>-Circular procurement targets:\u003C/p>\u003Cp>-10% by 2020\u003C/p>\u003Cp>-25% by 2025\u003C/p>\u003Cp>-75% by 2030\u003C/p>\u003Cp>-100% by 2035\u003C/p>\u003Cp>-Environmental goals by 2050:\u003C/p>\u003Cp>-55% reduction in CO₂ emissions\u003C/p>\u003Cp>-50% less use of primary raw materials\u003C/p>\u003Cp>-50% reduction in nitrogen emissions\u003C/p>\u003Cp>-Regional leadership: Establish Friesland as one of Europe’s most circular regions by 2025.\u003C/p>","\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Rationale and Contextualisation\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Friesland Builds Circular (FBC) stands as Circular Friesland's most impactful programme to date, aiming to establish circular and biobased production as the norm in the region’s construction sector. Nationally and globally, construction is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, waste generation, and biodiversity loss. By targeting this high-impact sector, FBC seeks to shift construction from a major polluter to a circular exemplar.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The programme aligns with pressing social needs, namely the rising demand for housing. The Netherlands has set an ambitious goal of constructing around 100,000 homes per year, with a target of 900,000 by 2030 through the Housing Deals. Friesland itself is expected to contribute 17,720 new homes by 2030. This construction boom presents both a challenge and an opportunity: by embedding circular principles into these projects, Friesland can redefine construction and create what is locally termed 'It Nije Normaal'—a new standard for circular building.\u003C/p>\u003Ciframe class=\"ql-video\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/mCV-DMK-C-E?showinfo=0\">\u003C/iframe>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>History and Reason for Creation\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>FBC was initiated to address key barriers facing the growth of circular construction in Friesland, specifically, unfavourable market conditions, operational and social barriers, lack of political support, knowledge gaps, insufficient collaboration, regulatory obstacles, and a fragmented language among stakeholders. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>Given construction’s significance in Friesland—both as an economic driver and an environmental concern—FBC sought to create new opportunities by aligning supply and demand with the right regulatory, educational, and governance frameworks. A key initiative within the programme was the establishment of a network of municipal councilors, who serve as ambassadors for the transition on the demand side of the construction sector.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Aim, Structure, and Governance\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The overarching mission of the FBC program is: “\u003Cem>To accelerate the transition to a circular economy in Friesland by providing integral support to the construction sector in this transition\u003C/em>.” Key goals include: to ensure that all new houses built (targets of 17,1720) incorporate circular principles, to increase circular procurement by Frisian authorities (to 10% by 2020, 25% by 2025, 75% by 2030, and 100% by 2035), and to position Friesland as one of the most circular regions in Europe by 2025 (aiming for a 55% reduction in CO2 emissions, 50% fewer primary raw materials used, and 50% less nitrogen emissions by 2050).\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The success of the program hinges on several objectives that stretch across seven work packages and target different stakeholders and areas. The first focuses on establishing a common language for circular construction through 'It Nije Normaal' a framework developed collaboratively with industry players to provide clarity and support procurement processes. It also fosters a unified Frisian design approach, bringing architects together to standardise circular design principles. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>The Frisian Design Approach is a prime example of the programme's strengths, serving as a collaborative initiative that unites architects and construction professionals to develop circular and biobased building standards. The initiative brings together a group of professionals that would otherwise be competing to come together as collaborators and together, they develop a shared language for circular design while drawing on their own industry expertise.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The second package drives circular procurement by guiding municipalities through over 40 projects and five impact initiatives, ensuring demand-side adoption. On the supply side, the third package strengthens circular and biobased supply chains by developing new material streams, reuse networks, and innovation projects. Education is central to work package four, embedding circular principles into vocational and higher education while fostering collaboration between businesses and institutions. The fifth package ensures alignment between regional circular ambitions and national and EU policies, advocating for supportive regulations and overcoming legislative barriers. Finally, the sixth and seventh packages provide the communication, networking, and knowledge-sharing backbone that reinforces the program’s overall objectives.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The program is not solely focused on the intended outcomes, or targets, but the process is central to what is given value to. The how to achieve the programs ambitions centres around learning from each other, realising cooperation, promoting best practices, and through a ‘learning by doing’ approach, which aims to ensure that as many planned renovation, demolition, and construction projects as possible ae carried out using circular principles to build experience, know-how, and processes.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The entire program (in line with the Frisian approach) revolves around collaboration. Construction inherently involves a wide range of stakeholders, making collaboration essential, with key stakeholders including various actors along the construction value chains: ranging from local communities (mienskip), construction companies, material suppliers, and architects, to government bodies, municipalities, provincial authorities, and even national regulators, to financiers, knowledge institutions, and education bodies. This is a unique strength of FBC with its ability to bring together competitors and transform them into collaborators working towards a common goal. The programme acts as an ambassador, facilitator, and organiser, ensuring that agreements made at the regional level also align with national and European frameworks.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Regional Significance and Uniqueness\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Friesland has positioned itself as a European leader in circularity, particularly in water technology and biobased materials. FBC builds on this foundation by making circular construction a key driver of regional innovation and economic development. By 2050, the ambition is that all buildings in Friesland will be circularly constructed, firmly establishing The Frisian Way as a recognised approach to circular building.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Beyond the construction sector, FBC’s innovations in circular materials and processes contribute to broader regional transitions in water technology, agricultural sustainability, and the energy sector.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Outcomes and Impact\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>A key example of FBC’s impact is its contribution to circular concrete projects, such as the \u003Ca href=\"https://knowledge-hub.circle-economy.com/cgrfriesland/article/30045?n=The-first-circular-concrete-chain-in-Heechterp%2C-Leeuwarden-\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Sloten Betonketen (Heechterp)\u003C/a> initiative, which integrates recycled materials into construction. Other notable achievements include: ensuring 20% of participating projects focus on new circular housing, the success of the Fibre Hemp Deal, committing to insulating a minimum number of homes using Frisian hemp-based materials, and establishing the VCF website as a key knowledge-sharing platform, supported by industry events and guided tours.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Through its learning by doing approach, FBC is embedding circularity into upcoming construction, demolition, and renovation projects, creating a replicable model for other regions.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Some key impact figures include involvement in over 40 construction projects are currently part of the FBC initiative, encompassing new builds, renovations, and demolitions, and five major impact projects being underway. These are large-scale area developments in Friesland that adhere to exceptionally high circular standards.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Conclusion\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Friesland Builds Circular exemplifies Circular Friesland’s strategic approach to managing the transition to a circular economy. By addressing both demand and supply-side challenges, fostering collaboration, and creating a shared vision for circular construction, FBC is transforming Friesland into a hub of sustainable innovation. Its bottom-up approach, commitment to value beyond financial returns, and emphasis on collective prosperity make it a model for circular transitions not just in the Netherlands, but across Europe.\u003C/p>","published",false,{"id":89,"type":216,"cta":6,"cta_link":6,"created_at":217,"updated_at":218,"owner_id":193,"owner_relationship":194,"views":219,"owner":220,"image":221,"contributors":225,"article_locations":230,"article_industries":231,"view_count":219,"like_count":181,"collection_count":206,"content":239,"can_edit":214},"business_case","2025-04-03T09:24:44.084Z","2026-05-27T08:08:34.128Z",18,{"id":193,"type":5,"owner_id":193,"about":6,"job_title":6,"url":6,"linkedin":6,"email":6,"staff_of_id":6,"organisation_id":6,"organisation":6},{"id":222,"link":223,"alt":6,"source":6,"created_at":217,"updated_at":224,"article_id":89,"image_profile_id":6,"banner_profile_id":6},"_8LTWbZn_Go=","https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1778094773825-xR_uW2QO.jpeg","2025-04-29T08:52:54.572Z",[226,227,229],{"contributor_id":4},{"contributor_id":228},"mSjNMA",{"contributor_id":193},[],[232],{"article_id":89,"industry_id":233,"created_at":234,"updated_at":6,"industry":235},"water_and_sewage","2026-05-06T19:11:50.230Z",{"id":233,"name":236,"description":237,"sector":238},"Water and Sewage","Providing water and sewage services, including water collection and distribution, water treatment systems and sewage treatment facilities","societal_services",{"id":240,"score":181,"body":241,"status":213,"article_id":89,"created_at":217,"updated_at":224,"published_at":217},"oexX",{"title":242,"summary":243},"WaterCampus: A Global Hub for Circular Water Technology","\u003Cp>WaterCampus Leeuwarden is the central hub for water technology innovation in Europe, dedicated to advancing sustainable water solutions through research, education, and entrepreneurship. Its mission is to accelerate the development, commercialisation, and application of cutting-edge water-related technologies to address global water challenges. With a vision to position Friesland as a world leader in water technology, WaterCampus fosters collaboration between businesses, knowledge institutes, and governments at local, national, and international levels. Friesland is a region connected to its land and water, with water at the centre of the workings of the region. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>History and beginning\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>WaterCampus began by analysing the types of companies already active in Friesland. Given the region’s deep connection to water—particularly through its agricultural and dairy sectors—there was already a strong foundation of water-focused businesses, initially concentrated on water supply and later expanding into water treatment. These developments laid the groundwork for a thriving water technology ecosystem.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>By building on this existing regional expertise, WaterCampus played a key role in strengthening the infrastructure for water research and innovation, ultimately helping to position Friesland as a national and international leader in water technology. A \u003Ca href=\"https://leeuwarden.ibabs.org/Document/View/dd8dde1a-a5f4-471d-83d8-b4f0726fc29e\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">study\u003C/a> has identified water as a spearhead sector in Friesland, and the broader Northern Netherlands region, including Friesland, accounts for around 15% of all Dutch water technology companies—relatively high compared to the national average. The sector also makes a notable contribution to the regional GDP.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Friesland’s ambition in the circular economy is closely tied to its goals in water technology and water treatment. These long-term ambitions are reflected in a patient and adaptive development approach. Over the decades, the region has shifted from a focus on dairy farming in the 1970s, to water treatment in the 1980s, to more advanced and innovative water technologies today.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>This evolution has been underpinned by trust—trust in long-term partnerships, governmental institutions, and collaborative innovation. This ethos of trust is also embedded in the region’s circular economy efforts and forms a key pillar of what is increasingly referred to as the Frisian Approach.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The Frisian Approach is evident in WaterCampus’s way of working. Home to an international research centre, it supports innovative water companies worldwide, yet maintains a distinctly Frisian way of collaboration. For example, the European Centre of Excellence, based in Friesland, works with universities across Europe and engages 120 companies from Friesland, the Netherlands, and around the world, with 35 nationalities involved. Central to this approach is trust and collaboration throughout the research process, recognising that innovation synergies and the resolution of common challenges can only be achieved through genuine cooperation at every level.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Aims and vision\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>WaterCampus’s overarching vision is to establish Friesland as a world leader in water technology, fostering collaboration between businesses, knowledge institutes, and governments, in what is in the Frisian Approach known as the ‘Triple Helix’ of collaboration. The purpose is to accelerate innovation, the growth of businesses, and the application of water-related technologies to address global water challenges. This ambition rests on the ability not only to develop top academic know-how, but to be able to apply this knowledge in useful, practical, and beneficial ways in terms of the circular economy, so in the market place and in society (societal benefit is key). \u003C/p>\u003Cp>WaterCampus demonstrates this ambition with 33 newly developed water technology innovations currently being applied in practice following their development at WaterCampus.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>The Ecosystem of WaterCampus\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>WaterCampus provides a structured innovation ecosystem through its core programs, which include institutions focused on both fundamental and applied research, as well as direct business support.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/content-image/1778094774397-RNCseozN.gif\">\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Wetsus, the European Centre of Excellence for sustainable water technology, fosters pre-competitive technology development through scientific research. It was the foundation of WaterCampus, focused on academic research. Through Wetsus, it became clear that businesses faced challenges in working with academic research, prompting the development of additional branches within WaterCampus to support scaling up and working with businesses.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The Centre of Expertise Water Technology (CEW) focuses on applied research and accelerating innovation. It collaborates with businesses, universities, applied universities of science, and SMEs on shorter projects that specifically target the development and scaling of water technology solutions.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The Water Alliance supports entrepreneurship and business growth by providing funding, incubation, and networking opportunities for water-tech startups, helping them expand internationally.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>A Unique Model for Innovation\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>WaterCampus has created a unique model to bridge the gap between scientific innovation and practical business applications. By connecting research institutions, startups, and established companies, WaterCampus fosters the development of market-ready water technologies that address global water challenges. This collaborative environment was designed to ensure that crucial insights from research are translated into practical, scalable solutions.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Historically, Friesland’s water technology sector, while prominent, has been underdeveloped in terms of jobs for highly skilled workers, with many skilled professionals leaving the region. WaterCampus is working to reverse this trend by investing in education and job creation, ensuring that research translates into real-world impact.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>A key focus of WaterCampus is advancing circular water technologies, such as water recovery, nutrient recovery, and energy recovery, all critical for a functioning circular economy. By linking research with business applications, WaterCampus ensures these innovations can scale effectively and contribute to sustainable resource management.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>With increasing pressures on global water supplies due to climate change, economic growth, and rising demand, developing sustainable water technologies is more urgent than ever. WaterCampus plays a pivotal role in shaping these advancements, maximising resource efficiency, and reinforcing Friesland’s leadership in circular water innovation.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Showcasing Circular Innovation: Spoordok and Beyond\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>One of the most notable examples of WaterCampus’s impact is the Spoordok project in Sneek. This project applies circular water management principles by treating black water separately, thereby maximising nutrient recovery, and reusing treated water efficiently. Vacuum toilet technology is used to isolate pollutants from wastewater, allowing essential nutrients to be recovered and returned to agricultural use. This is a groundbreaking approach, as it marks the first time that human-derived nutrients will be reintegrated into farming systems after safe treatment. The technology behind Spoordok was developed with the collaboration of Wetsus, CEW, and Water Alliance, showcasing the strength of WaterCampus’s innovation ecosystem. Read more about this project \u003Ca href=\"https://urbangreenbluegrids.com/projects/noorderhoek-sneek-the-netherlands/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">here\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>In Leeuwarden, a new construction project is underway with the ambition to create housing developments that are off the water grid. This project will apply the technologies developed through the WaterCampus network to treat blackwater separately, facilitating water reuse and nutrient recovery. The goal is to return nutrients from human excreta to regional agriculture, representing a significant scaling up of previous smaller-scale projects.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Another success story is Hydraloop, a company within WaterCampus that developed a household water treatment system for in-house water reuse. While its focus is on reducing water consumption rather than nutrient recovery, Hydraloop has expanded internationally, reaching markets in Latin America, Australia, and the Middle East. Read more about Hydraloop \u003Ca href=\"https://knowledge-hub.circle-economy.com/cgrfriesland/article/30473?n=Hydraloop-Revolutionising-Greywater-Recycling-in-Friesland\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">here\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Scaling Impact and Economic Growth\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>WaterCampus is not only a research hub but a driving force for regional economic development. By nurturing startups and scaling them into stable businesses, it ensures that cutting-edge water technologies are integrated into society. With over 350 long-term partners, the campus fosters cross-sectoral applications of water technology, expanding its reach into industries where water quality and efficiency are critical.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The newly planned Spoordok construction project in Leeuwarden exemplifies WaterCampus’s commitment to scaling innovation. This iconic development aims to ensure that no drop of water leaves the area untreated while simultaneously recovering valuable nutrients for regional agriculture. This project marks a crucial step toward implementing large-scale circular water solutions beyond pilot initiatives.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Measuring Success and Long-Term Goals\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>WaterCampus actively tracks its impact through defined performance indicators, with goals extending to 2032. Key metrics include:\u003C/p>\u003Cp>-350+ companies engaged with long-term financial commitments\u003C/p>\u003Cp>-100 patents filed\u003C/p>\u003Cp>-1,000 scientific publications\u003C/p>\u003Cp>- A growing number of European projects, governmental contributions, and large-scale technology applications\u003C/p>\u003Cp>By continuously developing innovative water technologies, WaterCampus ensures that Friesland remains at the forefront of global water technology innovation. Leeuwarden, already known as the European Capital of Water Technology, benefits from a dynamic environment where talent, research, and business intersect to create sustainable solutions for water management worldwide.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Conclusion\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>WaterCampus exemplifies the power of collaboration and trust in driving water technology advancements. By integrating research, entrepreneurship, and education, it provides a unique innovation ecosystem that transforms scientific discoveries into practical solutions. With Friesland's rich history in water management and its long-term vision for sustainability, WaterCampus stands as a beacon of excellence in circular water technology, shaping the future of global water solutions.\u003C/p>",{"id":87,"type":216,"cta":6,"cta_link":6,"created_at":245,"updated_at":246,"owner_id":193,"owner_relationship":194,"views":247,"owner":248,"image":249,"contributors":253,"article_locations":256,"article_industries":257,"view_count":247,"like_count":181,"collection_count":206,"content":263,"can_edit":214},"2025-04-03T09:21:04.712Z","2026-05-27T08:04:12.316Z",17,{"id":193,"type":5,"owner_id":193,"about":6,"job_title":6,"url":6,"linkedin":6,"email":6,"staff_of_id":6,"organisation_id":6,"organisation":6},{"id":250,"link":251,"alt":6,"source":6,"created_at":245,"updated_at":252,"article_id":87,"image_profile_id":6,"banner_profile_id":6},"rKyxWeXwDKY=","https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1778094772105-aQwMjZX8.jpeg","2025-04-28T14:22:23.525Z",[254,255],{"contributor_id":4},{"contributor_id":193},[],[258],{"article_id":87,"industry_id":259,"created_at":234,"updated_at":6,"industry":260},"waste_management",{"id":259,"name":261,"description":262,"sector":238},"Waste Management","Collecting waste from households and businesses by means of refuse bins, wheeled bins, containers, etc., and providing treatment, incineration, materials recovery and reclamation, and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste",{"id":264,"score":181,"body":265,"status":213,"article_id":87,"created_at":245,"updated_at":252,"published_at":245},"puZ7",{"title":266,"summary":267},"Omrin: Showcasing the Frisian approach to Circular Economy","\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Rationale and Contextualisation\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The Netherlands is one of the leading European countries in waste management, with minimal landfill use and high recycling and composting rates. EU policies such as the Landfill Directive drive national strategies to reduce waste and enhance material recovery, which is also the case in the Netherlands. Within this context, Omrin has positioned itself as a frontrunner in circular waste management, contributing to national and European goals of eliminating waste by 2050. Its innovative Circular Chain Management model is integral to transitioning from waste collection to resource recovery and circular economy leadership.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>History and Reason for Creation\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Omrin's origins date back to Friesland's regional waste management strategies in the 1970s and 1980s. In 1981, the Provincial States of Friesland established a waste management plan promoting regional cooperation. This led to the foundation of the Public Body Waste Disposal Friesland (OLAF) in 1984, which later evolved into Afvalsturing Friesland in 1995. Omrin was formed as the operational entity, with a focus on modern waste separation and resource recovery techniques. Over time, Omrin has grown into a networked organisation, integrating multiple municipal stakeholders and prioritising circular economy principles over simple waste disposal.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Omrin has been integral in contributing circular economy networks within Friesland, being a cofounder of Circulair Friesland, which is a network that is central to scaling the circular economy regionally and a significant force behind the regions success in various circular economy initiatives. The Circular Friesland network was in its conception 6 companies and now includes 160 companies, government organisations, educational institutes, and social organisations all in alliance aiming to facilitate Friesland becoming Europe’s most circular region. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Aims and objectives\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Omrin's overarching goal is to eliminate waste through a fully circular system where waste becomes a resource. By combining data-driven waste management, innovative recycling technologies, and strategic partnerships, Omrin seeks to minimise resource depletion and contribute to the success of a circular economy. Key objectives include:\u003C/p>\u003Cp>-Increasing material recovery rates\u003C/p>\u003Cp>-Reducing waste processing costs for municipalities\u003C/p>\u003Cp>-Expanding partnerships for circular product chains\u003C/p>\u003Cp>-Promoting clean mobility through sustainable logistics\u003C/p>\u003Cp>-Strengthening municipal collaboration for waste governance\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Structure and Governance\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Omrin operates under two key entities, firstly Afvalsturing Friesland N.V. which is responsible for waste processing, and is owned by municipalities across Friesland, Groningen, and North Veluwe. The second is N.V. Fryslân Miljeu, which is in turn focused on waste collection, with shares held by Frisian and Groningen municipalities.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Omrin’s collaboration with municipalities in the region showcases an innovative model of private-public waste management. Its governance model ensures that decisions align with public interest rather than profit-making. Omrin collaborates with 36 municipalities, collecting waste from over 1.5 million people and 10,000 businesses. This public ownership structure fosters regional cooperation and reinvestment into waste processing technologies and workforce development.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/content-image/1778094772957-2BaiMJGn.jpg\">\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Key Projects and Initiatives\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Omrin has developed several flagship initiatives that showcase its leadership in circular chain management:\u003C/p>\u003Cp>-Ecopark De Wierde: A state-of-the-art waste separation and processing facility in Heerenveen, achieving a 78% waste recovery rate.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>-Clean Mobility Chain: A partnership with Scania, Iveco, MAN, and OG Clean Fuels to create a sustainable logistics network with clean fuel stations, due to this Omrin’s own fleet is largely green.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>-Organic Waste Digestion: High-performance digestion processes for organic waste, significantly increasing biogas production and reducing CO2 emissions.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>-Smart Data-Driven Waste Management: Utilising digital platforms to optimise waste collection, separation, and material reuse, integrating circular economy principles across the value chain.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Omrin achieves high waste separation rates through a unique model that prioritises reuse over waste at the source and post separation. This involves a requirement for some separation of waste on the consumer side, buta advance sorting for plastics, drinks cartons and cans are separated internally at Omrin through smart machines.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Beyond waste separation, Omrin recognises that the path to a truly circular economy lies in further collaboration and therefore continually contributes to investments in knowledge, technology, and other circular business models, collaboration with educational institutes, start ups, local governments, and business. This is in line with the Frisian Approach to a circular economy, hinged on broad collaboration across the ‘Triple Helix’ of actors from government, business, and research. For example, The National Test Centre for Circular plastics is a key partner of Omrin’s.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Read more about Omrin’s\u003Ca href=\"https://knowledge-hub.circle-economy.com/cgrfriesland/article/30471?n=Omrin%E2%80%99s-Innovative-Recycling-Technologies\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"> innovative technologies\u003C/a> and \u003Ca href=\"https://knowledge-hub.circle-economy.com/cgrfriesland/article/30472?n=Omrin%27s-Renewable-Energy-Initiatives\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">energy neutral fleet \u003C/a>here.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Read more about the \u003Ca href=\"https://knowledge-hub.circle-economy.com/cgrfriesland/article/30406?n=NTCP-Pioneering-Circular-Plastics-in-Friesland\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">NTCP\u003C/a> here.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Regional Significance and Uniqueness\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Omrin plays a crucial role in Friesland’s sustainability strategy, distinguishing itself in several ways. The organisation boasts impressive circularity rates, achieving a 78% waste separation rate, significantly surpassing both the Dutch national average of 57% and the EU average of 49%. Its unique shareholder structure, which involves local governments rather than private investors, ensures that profits are reinvested into regional sustainability initiatives. By adopting an integrated circular economy approach, the organization successfully combines waste collection, processing, material recovery, and circular production partnerships within a single cohesive framework.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Outcomes and Impact\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Omrin’s innovative model has delivered significant economic and environmental benefits:\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Financial Sustainability: With a turnover of over €200 million and an EBITDA of €42 million, Omrin offers some of the lowest waste processing rates in the Netherlands.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Investment in Circular Growth: Over €320 million allocated for upcoming projects to enhance circular economy initiatives and clean energy transitions.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Reduction in Waste-to-Landfill: Leading the Netherlands towards its national goal of eliminating landfilling by 2050.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Job Creation: Supporting regional employment through its facilities, logistics networks, and innovative circular economy partnerships.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Conclusion and Future Outlook\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Omrin exemplifies how a publicly governed waste management entity can transition into a circular economy leader. By integrating innovative technologies, municipal cooperation, and data-driven waste processing, Omrin has set a benchmark for waste-to-resource transformation. Moving forward, continued investments in circular innovations, clean mobility, and material recovery will ensure that Omrin remains a model for sustainable waste management in Europe.\u003C/p>",{"id":85,"type":190,"cta":6,"cta_link":6,"created_at":269,"updated_at":270,"owner_id":193,"owner_relationship":194,"views":271,"owner":272,"image":273,"contributors":277,"article_locations":280,"article_industries":288,"view_count":271,"like_count":181,"collection_count":206,"content":294,"can_edit":214},"2025-04-03T09:14:38.796Z","2026-05-27T08:45:58.210Z",12,{"id":193,"type":5,"owner_id":193,"about":6,"job_title":6,"url":6,"linkedin":6,"email":6,"staff_of_id":6,"organisation_id":6,"organisation":6},{"id":274,"link":275,"alt":6,"source":6,"created_at":269,"updated_at":276,"article_id":85,"image_profile_id":6,"banner_profile_id":6},"P1c1BnbWoDw=","https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1778094770330-mpCTMZO9.jpeg","2025-04-28T14:10:29.398Z",[278,279],{"contributor_id":4},{"contributor_id":193},[281],{"article_id":85,"location_id":282,"created_at":234,"updated_at":6,"location":283},"2751792",{"id":282,"type":284,"name":285,"color":6,"parent_location_id":286,"created_at":287,"updated_at":6},"city","Leeuwarden","NLD","2026-02-27T07:55:14.722Z",[289],{"article_id":85,"industry_id":290,"created_at":234,"updated_at":6,"industry":291},"education_and_government_services",{"id":290,"name":292,"description":293,"sector":238},"Education and Government Services","Providing public and private education and support services at any level or for any profession, and governmental and public administration services, including judicial, regulatory, and legislative activities, taxation, defence, public order and safety, immigration services, foreign affairs and the administration of government programmes",{"id":295,"score":181,"body":296,"status":213,"article_id":85,"created_at":269,"updated_at":276,"published_at":269},"jAwb",{"title":297,"summary":298},"Circular Leadership in Friesland: Gemeente Leeuwarden’s Approach","\u003Cp>The municipality of Leeuwarden has embraced the circular economy as a core element of its broader sustainability ambitions, recognising its role in resource efficiency, economic resilience, and environmental protection. With a mission to recover and reuse raw materials, position the city as a hub for circular business, and expand circular projects to drive employment, the municipality is committed to a future without waste.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The municipality's approach to a circular economy is emblematic of the broader region’s ‘Frisian Approach’. The municipality harnessed collaboration with businesses and knowledge institutions, in what is known as ‘the triple helix’, acknowledging the necessity of collective change at multiple levels.It effectively combines both bottom-up and top-down methods to advance the circular economy, ensuring a well-rounded and inclusive strategy. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>The municipality’s approach aligns with national and regional goals, ensuring that circular economy principles are embedded in governance, infrastructure, and industry partnerships.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>History\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Leeuwarden’s focus on circular economy initiatives has developed through both top-down policy ambitions and bottom-up efforts from the community and businesses. Early initiatives date back to the 2018 \u003Cem>Volhoudbaar\u003C/em> program, but the circular economy became a municipal priority in 2022, elevating it to a strategic level.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Key catalysts for this transition reflect this top-down/bottom-up dynamic. On one hand, declining household waste recycling rates prompted new municipal strategies such as DIFTAR for collection and processing. On the other, momentum emerged through regional collaboration in circular construction—particularly within \u003Cem>Het Nieuwe Normaal\u003C/em>, a sustainable building program—allowing the municipality to facilitate and expand circular construction in Leeuwarden.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Through active participation in regional and national programs, Leeuwarden has leveraged its position to both implement and influence circular policy development, strongly contributing to the region's position as a frontrunner.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Aim, Structure, and Governance\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Larger sustainability goals are framed within the 'Duurzaamheidsprogramma Volhoudbaar,' a program encompassing sustainable energy, climate adaptation, biodiversity, ecology, and sustainable municipal operations. Within this framework, Leeuwarden integrates circularity into procurement, waste management, and infrastructure development, setting ambitious milestones such as achieving a waste-free society by 2050 and fully circular procurement by 2025. Larger sustainability goals are framed within the 'Duurzaamheidsprogramma Volhoudbaar,' a program encompassing sustainable energy, climate adaptation, biodiversity, ecology, and sustainable municipal operations. Within this framework, Leeuwarden integrates circularity into procurement, waste management, and infrastructure development, setting ambitious milestones such as achieving a waste-free society by 2050 and fully circular procurement by 2025. To guide decision-making and prioritise high-impact actions, the municipality applies the Circular Processing Ladder (R-ladder), focusing first on reduction and reuse before resorting to recycling or recovery.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/content-image/1778094770889-4_aujZtN.png\">\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The municipality’s circular economy vision is structured around four key ambitions, namely, establishing Leeuwarden as a prime location for circular businesses, expanding circular projects to boost employment, ensuring circular procurement practices are embedded across municipal operations, achieving a waste-free society by 2050, with interim targets such as reducing residual waste to 30kg per person per year by 2030.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>To meet these ambitions, the municipality engages in strategic collaborations, leveraging funding mechanisms like the Circular Innovation Fund (€250,000 annually) and working with regional partners to implement solutions in material recovery, circular construction, and sustainable procurement.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Key Projects and Initiatives\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Several initiatives showcase Leeuwarden’s commitment to circularity, and demonstrate the city’s unique and effective approach to implementing circularity across the board. A project working to close the concrete chain in Leeuwarden perfectly demonstrates this, as an initiative where the municipality and actors along the concrete value chain collaborate to increase the use of circular concrete in municipality-led construction projects. This initiative demonstrates the need to include all actors in the transition, utilise local knowledge, and foster collective learning.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Other top-down initiatives underscore the municipality’s role as a government actor and policymaker. For example, the circular purchasing roadmap incentivises the use of secondary (circular) materials in municipal projects, helping to create a level financial playing field between virgin and recycled materials. Similarly, the Circular Innovation Fund provides annual financial support for circular economy innovations, supporting both scale-ups and established businesses. These initiatives recognise that financial backing from political institutions is essential for advancing the circular transition. By embedding circularity into economic policies, Leeuwarden ensures that all major municipal investments prioritise material efficiency and sustainability.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>To delve deeper into Gemeente Leeuwarden’s projects and initiatives read the case studies below:\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https://knowledge-hub.circle-economy.com/cgrfriesland/article/30437?n=Grondbank-Leeuwarden-A-Circular-Approach-to-Soil-Reuse\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">De Grondbank\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Leeuwarden’s permanent soil bank ensures 100% circular soil flows by locally storing, assessing, and reusing soil from urban and regional development projects. By reducing transport movements and repurposing soil into valuable materials, the initiative enhances circularity and minimizes soil toxicity, supporting a more sustainable and efficient land management system.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https://knowledge-hub.circle-economy.com/cgrfriesland/article/30470?n=Circular-Renovation-of-Carr%C3%A9-1-Leading-by-Example\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Verbouw Carré 1\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The Carré 1 municipal office renovation integrates circular principles by reusing existing materials and sourcing new ones sustainably to minimize its material footprint. By showcasing circular choices in building design, the project advances the circularity metric while inspiring broader adoption of resource-efficient construction practices.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https://knowledge-hub.circle-economy.com/cgrfriesland/article/30043?n=Circulaire-Afschrijven-Unlocking-Value-in-Circular-Investments\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Circulaire Afschrijven\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Circulaire Afschrijven, a partnership between the Municipality of Leeuwarden and Alba Concepts, enhances circular investments by using data-driven insights to determine their residual value, ensuring long-term financial and environmental benefits. By refining valuation methods and integrating circular principles into investment strategies, it strengthens sustainable business practices and boosts the competitiveness of the circular economy.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https://knowledge-hub.circle-economy.com/cgrfriesland/article/30045?n=The-first-circular-concrete-chain-in-Heechterp%2C-Leeuwarden-\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Sluiten betonketen (Heechterp)\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Leeuwarden's first circular concrete chain transforms demolition waste into new homes, cutting CO₂ emissions and conserving raw materials through an innovative closed-loop system. By maximizing material recovery and reuse, the project contributes to increasing the circularity metric, demonstrating a measurable shift from linear construction to a circular model.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https://knowledge-hub.circle-economy.com/cgrfriesland/article/30439?n=Project-Nieuw-Oud-Oost-A-Circular-Approach-to-Urban-Development\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Project Nieuw Oud Oost\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Project Nieuw Oud Oost transforms the former Cambuur stadium site into a resource-efficient neighborhood, integrating circular principles in construction to reduce waste and conserve materials. By repurposing second-hand materials and fostering community engagement through placemaking, the initiative enhances the circularity metric, creates circular jobs, and strengthens local social cohesion.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Regional Significance and Uniqueness\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Leeuwarden’s approach to circularity is both ambitious and pragmatic. As a frontrunner in the circular economy, the city serves as a model for other municipalities by balancing long-term vision with practical implementation, ensuring circularity is securely embedded in policy and business practices. It strategically leverages Friesland’s existing strengths in circular waste management and biobased industries to expand circular opportunities. In line with the Frisian Approach, the municipality prioritises collaboration and trust, uniting stakeholders from different sectors to develop shared solutions.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Unlike other regions that focus primarily on policy-setting, Leeuwarden combines governance with hands-on initiatives that directly engage local businesses, industries, and citizens.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Outcomes and Impact\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The municipality has already demonstrated tangible progress in advancing circular economy initiatives. Waste reduction efforts have been strengthened through the introduction of new waste collection models, leading to lower household residual waste rates. In procurement, at least ten municipal projects each year now adhere to circular purchasing criteria, embedding sustainability into public spending. Circular principles are also being integrated into construction, influencing demolition, renovation, and new building projects. Public-private engagement has played a crucial role in fostering strong collaborations with businesses, resulting in the development of new circular supply chains and economic opportunities. To ensure continued progress, ongoing monitoring efforts prioritise impact measurement, with key performance indicators tracking material recovery rates, employment impacts, and economic contributions. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>Gemeente Leeuwarden actively leverages partnerships at the provincial and national levels, such as collaborations with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (I&W), to drive systemic change. By prioritising dialogue between stakeholders and maintaining adaptable policies, the municipality ensures that its circular economy initiatives remain responsive to emerging innovations.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Conclusion\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Through a combination of strategic governance, strong partnerships, and practical implementation, Leeuwarden is well-positioned to continue its leadership in the circular economy transition. As elections and policy shifts approach, maintaining momentum and ensuring long-term continuity will be critical for sustaining these ambitious efforts.\u003C/p>",{"id":83,"type":216,"cta":6,"cta_link":6,"created_at":300,"updated_at":301,"owner_id":193,"owner_relationship":194,"views":302,"owner":303,"image":304,"contributors":308,"article_locations":311,"article_industries":312,"view_count":302,"like_count":181,"collection_count":206,"content":313,"can_edit":214},"2025-04-03T09:06:47.885Z","2026-05-27T10:31:14.315Z",6,{"id":193,"type":5,"owner_id":193,"about":6,"job_title":6,"url":6,"linkedin":6,"email":6,"staff_of_id":6,"organisation_id":6,"organisation":6},{"id":305,"link":306,"alt":6,"source":6,"created_at":300,"updated_at":307,"article_id":83,"image_profile_id":6,"banner_profile_id":6},"p0J9u_KiC6M=","https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1778094768830-qVziPy_n.jpeg","2025-04-28T14:08:07.348Z",[309,310],{"contributor_id":4},{"contributor_id":193},[],[],{"id":314,"score":181,"body":315,"status":213,"article_id":83,"created_at":300,"updated_at":307,"published_at":300},"r9pE",{"title":316,"summary":317},"OPNIEUW!: Building a Circular Future Through People, Purpose, and Reuse","\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Rationale and Contextualisation\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>OPNIEUW! is a Friesland-based circular enterprise dedicated to redefining circular business practices through material reuse and social inclusion. Operating in Buitenpost, the company transforms discarded furniture into high-quality, repurposed pieces while providing meaningful employment opportunities. At the heart of its approach is the triple helix - a collaboration between business, knowledge institutions, and government-to drive systemic change towards circularity. Friesland's strong community-oriented culture and established networks have fostered an environment where circular and social entrepreneurship can thrive. OPNIEUW! serves as a blueprint for how localised, value-driven business models can be scaled and replicated across industries and regions.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>History and Reason for Creation\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>OPNIEUW! emerged from a strong foundation in entrepreneurship, combined with a commitment to people and the planet, and a desire to approach business differently. The company was established following the founder’s recognition as a finalist for the ‘Ondernemingsprijs Friesland’—a moment that prompted a reassessment of business priorities and a shift towards greater impact. Today, that same drive for meaningful change continues to shape OPNIEUW!’s business model and operations, aligning with a purposeful economy that balances social, ecological, and economic goals.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>From the very beginning, the company was built around people, starting with a single employee and growing to a team of over 60 people. Today, it stands as a market leader in furniture reuse. OPNIEUW! exemplifies the Frisian Approach in a business context, demonstrating how trust and collaboration are key to success- not only for achieving shared goals in the circular economy, but also financially.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The company offers a blueprint for circular entrepreneurship that can be applied across various sectors, furthering the transition toward a circular economy.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Aim, Structure, and Governance\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The primary goal of OPNIEUW! is to advance a circular economy by eliminating reliance on new raw materials and ensuring all materials are repurposed effectively. This mission is supported by a governance structure that prioritises social inclusion, environmental impact, and economic viability in equal measure, recognising that these goals can be achieved simultaneously.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>A defining feature of OPNIEUW!’s structure is its holistic employment model, which prioritises individuals distanced from the labour market. Through an open hiring approach, employees without formal education receive in-house training in woodworking, upholstery, metalworking, and assembly. The leadership team actively cultivates a work environment and a unique working culture based on positivity, communication, and trust to ensure both skilled and unskilled workers feel valued. This once more perfectly showcases the success of the Frisian approach which hinges on trust, collaboration, learning by doing, and a combination of top down and bottom up methods to achieving common goals.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The leadership team fosters a work environment and unique culture rooted in positivity, open communication, and trust, ensuring that both skilled and unskilled workers feel valued. This once again exemplifies the strengths of the Frisian approach, which is built on trust, collaboration, learning by doing, and a balanced mix of top-down and bottom-up strategies to achieve shared goals.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cimg src=\"https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/content-image/1778094769372-Rq3fdThm.png\">\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Projects and way of working\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>OPNIEUW! Has recently secured a Dutch Ministry of Defence Tender with a multi-year contract to supply refurbished furniture, illustrating the viability of large-scale circular procurement. Winning the Dutch Ministry of Defence tender for furniture supply over the next 6 to 8 years solidifies OPNIEUW!’s role in the sector. The founder’s strong personal values, rooted in a belief that business should empower individuals and communities, shaped the company's people-first culture.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The company has also completed circular design projects for the Hillegom Water Tower and the Copijn Building, further showcasing its expertise in circular furniture. OPNIEUW! engages clients as suppliers, collecting and repurposing their materials to minimize the need for virgin inputs.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>A key operational challenge is ensuring a steady supply of second-hand materials. OPNIEUW! addresses this by leveraging its extensive warehouse (housing 60,000 chairs) and forming partnerships with external suppliers, ensuring material consistency and availability.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Regional Significance and Uniqueness\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Friesland provides a unique ecosystem for circular businesses due to its strong local networks and commitment to sustainability. OPNIEUW! has benefited from its collaboration with Circular Friesland, a regional platform connecting businesses, government agencies, and research institutions. Friesland’s emphasis on community-driven business models supports the idea that sustainability must be inclusive and socially embedded. OPNIEUW! exemplifies how a socially driven and inclusive business model can thrive, showing that practices that benefit the planet and people are not only compatible with business success, but can actually be key to achieving it.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The triple helix framework—where business, knowledge institutions, and government co-create solutions—has been instrumental in OPNIEUW!’s success. Government support through circular procurement policies has shifted demand, while collaborations with TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research) on tools to track success have further enabled the success of many projects. This highlights how collaboration among various stakeholders is essential to advancing circular business models and facilitating the broader transition to a circular economy.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Outcomes and Impact\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>OPNIEUW! has made significant strides in quantifying its environmental and social contributions with reductions in CO2 emissions, energy consumption, and virgin material use. The company measures this through a self-created algorithm verified by TNO The measurement tool developed in collaboration with TNO provides clients with customised reports detailing the circular and social benefits of their projects, ensuring transparency and accountability.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>The impact extends beyond the environment to people, particularly through employment opportunities for individuals facing barriers to traditional labor markets. This approach illustrates how providing opportunities can lead to a strong, motivated workforce that is eager to contribute to your company’s success. A further unexpected and unintentional outcome was the creation of a replicable business model demonstrating that circular and social impact businesses can be both scalable and profitable.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Conclusion\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>OPNIEUW! exemplifies how circular business can integrate environmental and social impact without compromising economic success. The Frisian model- characterised by strong regional collaboration and the triple helix approach- has played a crucial role in fostering its growth. As circular economy principles gain traction, businesses like OPNIEUW! can serve as blueprints for future enterprises seeking to embed sustainability at their core. The next steps involve scaling the model, expanding partnerships, and deepening government engagement to accelerate the transition to a fully circular economy.\u003C/p>",{"id":23,"type":216,"cta":6,"cta_link":6,"created_at":319,"updated_at":320,"owner_id":321,"owner_relationship":194,"views":195,"owner":322,"image":323,"contributors":327,"article_locations":340,"article_industries":347,"view_count":195,"like_count":181,"collection_count":206,"content":348,"can_edit":214},"2020-10-01T14:55:49.344Z","2026-05-27T08:04:05.837Z","J5-bZw",{"id":321,"type":5,"owner_id":321,"about":6,"job_title":6,"url":6,"linkedin":6,"email":6,"staff_of_id":6,"organisation_id":6,"organisation":6},{"id":324,"link":325,"alt":6,"source":6,"created_at":319,"updated_at":326,"article_id":23,"image_profile_id":6,"banner_profile_id":6},"Qwel377Da3s=","https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1778092596259-jkA2dqsH.jpeg","2025-01-23T13:12:41.272Z",[328,330,331,332,334,336,338],{"contributor_id":329},"87h5Ww",{"contributor_id":4},{"contributor_id":321},{"contributor_id":333},"nvtrLQ",{"contributor_id":335},"pD90Ug",{"contributor_id":337},"RQGQFw",{"contributor_id":339},"uQPmNQ",[341],{"article_id":23,"location_id":342,"created_at":13,"updated_at":6,"location":343},"2988507",{"id":342,"type":284,"name":344,"color":6,"parent_location_id":345,"created_at":346,"updated_at":6},"Paris","FRA","2026-02-27T07:55:02.991Z",[],{"id":349,"score":181,"body":350,"status":213,"article_id":23,"created_at":319,"updated_at":326,"published_at":319},"8SUv",{"title":351,"problem":352,"summary":353,"solution":354,"attachment":355},"Glass facade recycling into new glass","\u003Cp>Despite the fact that glass is a highly recyclable material, end-of- life building glass is almost never recycled into new glass products. 925'000 tonnes of glass are landfilled annually in the EU, and recycling of glass could save over a million tonnes of raw material. When glass is recycled, it often is downcycled into aggregates for road construction. This is better than landfilling, but represents a one-off recycling opportunity. The closed-loop recycling of facade glass into new glass is rare due to a lack of economic incentives, but also due to a lack of know-how about the closed-loop recycling of glass.\u003C/p>","\u003Cp>In the EU, the proper recycling of all building glass waste could avoid 925,000 tonnes of landfilled waste every year and save around 1.23 million tonnes of primary raw materials annually. The most effective use is to turn glass into new glass products: it can be recycled in this ‘closed loop’ indefinitely. In a refurbishment project by Tishman Speyer, one of the first large-scale flat glass recycling operations in the UK was performed successfully. The UK Green Building Council used this opportunity to produce a how-to-guide for the recycling of glass facades.\u003C/p>","\u003Cp>The old glass facade of the building was recycled into bottles. It could be shown that a ton of recycled glass brings savings of 1.2 tonnes of raw materials and a reduction of 250 kg CO2 in the production of new glass, as the furnaces used in production can be run at a lower heat than when glass has to be newly produced. The refurbishment project also produced important insights in the form of a report and a how-to-guide by the UKGBC, which can be used to promote glass facade recycling further.\u003C/p>",[356,359],{"name":357,"type":358,"value":357},"https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-11-12/paris-s-15-minute-city-could-be-coming-to-an-urban-area-near-you","link",{"name":360,"type":358,"value":360},"https://www.smartcitylab.com/blog/governance-finance/paris-15-minute-city/",{"id":27,"type":190,"cta":6,"cta_link":6,"created_at":362,"updated_at":363,"owner_id":337,"owner_relationship":194,"views":219,"owner":364,"image":365,"contributors":369,"article_locations":377,"article_industries":380,"view_count":219,"like_count":181,"collection_count":206,"content":381,"can_edit":214},"2021-01-31T15:44:08.799Z","2026-05-27T16:12:54.444Z",{"id":337,"type":5,"owner_id":337,"about":6,"job_title":6,"url":6,"linkedin":6,"email":6,"staff_of_id":6,"organisation_id":6,"organisation":6},{"id":366,"link":367,"alt":6,"source":6,"created_at":362,"updated_at":368,"article_id":27,"image_profile_id":6,"banner_profile_id":6},"zsAmbR2dTkM=","https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1778092641527-f8k1O2ZJ.jpeg","2025-01-17T16:32:09.979Z",[370,371,372,373,374,375,376],{"contributor_id":329},{"contributor_id":4},{"contributor_id":321},{"contributor_id":333},{"contributor_id":335},{"contributor_id":337},{"contributor_id":339},[378],{"article_id":27,"location_id":342,"created_at":13,"updated_at":6,"location":379},{"id":342,"type":284,"name":344,"color":6,"parent_location_id":345,"created_at":346,"updated_at":6},[],{"id":382,"score":181,"body":383,"status":213,"article_id":27,"created_at":362,"updated_at":368,"published_at":362},"BfSk",{"title":384,"summary":385,"attachment":386},"The 15-minute City in Paris","\u003Cp>The City of Paris has championed the idea of a 15-minute city within its urban design; whereby everything that residents need can be reached within 15 minutes, either by foot, bike or public transport. This forward-thinking approach to urban design rethinks the driver of urban consumption, and cuts the need for fossil fuel-powered transportation, while improving the quality of life for its residents. \u003C/p>\u003Cp>Taken together, the new trees and cycleways, community facilities and social housing, homes and workplaces all reflect a potentially transformative vision for urban planners: the 15-minute city. 15-minute concept was developed primarily to reduce urban carbon emissions, reimagining our towns not as divided into discrete zones for living, working, and entertainment, but as mosaics of neighborhoods in which almost all residents’ needs can be met within 15 minutes of their homes on foot, by bike, or on public transit. As workplaces, stores, and homes are brought into closer proximity, street space previously dedicated to cars is freed up, eliminating pollution and making way for gardens, bike lanes, and sports and leisure facilities. All of this allows residents to bring their daily activities out of their homes (which in Paris tend to be small) and into welcoming, safe streets and squares.\u003C/p>",[387,388],{"name":357,"type":358,"value":357},{"name":360,"type":358,"value":360},{"id":49,"type":190,"cta":6,"cta_link":6,"created_at":390,"updated_at":391,"owner_id":4,"owner_relationship":194,"views":392,"owner":393,"image":394,"contributors":398,"article_locations":401,"article_industries":407,"view_count":392,"like_count":181,"collection_count":206,"content":410,"can_edit":214},"2021-11-19T09:29:56.395Z","2026-05-27T16:18:40.289Z",14,{"id":4,"type":5,"owner_id":4,"about":6,"job_title":6,"url":6,"linkedin":6,"email":6,"staff_of_id":6,"organisation_id":6,"organisation":6},{"id":395,"link":396,"alt":6,"source":6,"created_at":390,"updated_at":397,"article_id":49,"image_profile_id":6,"banner_profile_id":6},"xqnmiud904E=","https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1778092913105-GYMuQrsJ.jpeg","2025-01-17T16:27:52.424Z",[399,400],{"contributor_id":329},{"contributor_id":4},[402],{"article_id":49,"location_id":403,"created_at":13,"updated_at":6,"location":404},"3530597",{"id":403,"type":284,"name":405,"color":6,"parent_location_id":406,"created_at":287,"updated_at":6},"Mexico City","MEX",[408],{"article_id":49,"industry_id":290,"created_at":13,"updated_at":6,"industry":409},{"id":290,"name":292,"description":293,"sector":238},{"id":411,"score":181,"body":412,"status":213,"article_id":49,"created_at":390,"updated_at":397,"published_at":390},"hBgh",{"title":413,"summary":414,"attachment":415},"Mexico City's vertical gardens for pollution reduction","\u003Cp>Mexico City's Vertical Garden project, know as 'Via Verde’, is turning the pillars of a busy motorway green in an effort to deal with high levels of air pollution and improve the city’s landscape. Around 60,000 m2 of vertical gardens will be installed on more than 1000 pillars of a busy motorway, covering a distance of 27 km. This citizen-led initiative, funded by donors and local government, runs in collaboration with the Mexican workshop VERDEVERTICAL and turns Mexico City into an international model. In a city where 6 out of 10 residents suffer from a respiratory disease due to bad air quality, these gardens will be a new green lung which will generate oxygen, absorb pollutants and even help moderate traffic noise.\u003C/p>",[416],{"name":417,"type":358,"value":417},"https://bogota.gov.co/en/international/bogota-acquires-first-plant-colombia-convert-waste-energy",{"id":43,"type":190,"cta":6,"cta_link":6,"created_at":419,"updated_at":420,"owner_id":421,"owner_relationship":194,"views":184,"owner":422,"image":423,"contributors":427,"article_locations":432,"article_industries":439,"view_count":184,"like_count":181,"collection_count":206,"content":451,"can_edit":214},"2021-09-22T10:29:26.091Z","2026-05-26T04:53:44.701Z","Focw8Q",{"id":421,"type":5,"owner_id":421,"about":6,"job_title":6,"url":6,"linkedin":6,"email":6,"staff_of_id":6,"organisation_id":6,"organisation":6},{"id":424,"link":425,"alt":6,"source":6,"created_at":419,"updated_at":426,"article_id":43,"image_profile_id":6,"banner_profile_id":6},"O7gdQSA_TtQ=","https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1778092852657-H-7_Vcau.jpeg","2025-01-17T16:27:43.135Z",[428,429,430,431],{"contributor_id":329},{"contributor_id":4},{"contributor_id":421},{"contributor_id":339},[433],{"article_id":43,"location_id":434,"created_at":13,"updated_at":6,"location":435},"3464975",{"id":434,"type":284,"name":436,"color":6,"parent_location_id":437,"created_at":438,"updated_at":6},"Curitiba","BRA","2026-02-27T07:55:25.880Z",[440,446],{"article_id":43,"industry_id":441,"created_at":13,"updated_at":6,"industry":442},"transportation_equipment",{"id":441,"name":443,"description":444,"sector":445},"Transportation Equipment","Producing transportation equipment for the movement of goods and people by air, rail, sea, and land, including airplanes, spacecraft and military equipment, ships, boats, rail locomotives and rolling stock, motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers, and related equipment, as well as repair services for such equipment","transportation_and_logistics",{"article_id":43,"industry_id":447,"created_at":13,"updated_at":6,"industry":448},"passenger_transport_services",{"id":447,"name":449,"description":450,"sector":445},"Passenger Transport Services","Providing air, water, rail, and land transportation for passengers, such as airlines, airports, ferries, cruise-ships, tour boat operators, marine ports, railways, train stations, tour bus operators, vehicle rental, and taxi companies, travel agencies and related services",{"id":452,"score":181,"body":453,"status":213,"article_id":43,"created_at":419,"updated_at":426,"published_at":419},"wbzc",{"title":454,"summary":455,"attachment":456},"Curitiba, Brazil, is a model of transit-oriented planning","\u003Cp>The Brazilian city of Curitiba is a model of transit-oriented planning. Curitiba’s mobility plan built the foundation for more sustainable communities by institutionalizing the principle of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), which calls for urban development to be dense, mixed-use and highly accessible via public transit. The city encourages public transportation use with affordable pricing, transfer terminals and prepayment stations. Car-free zones and limited parking in central areas discourage driving.\u003C/p>",[457],{"name":417,"type":358,"value":417},{"id":65,"type":216,"cta":6,"cta_link":6,"created_at":459,"updated_at":460,"owner_id":321,"owner_relationship":194,"views":461,"owner":462,"image":463,"contributors":467,"article_locations":470,"article_industries":478,"view_count":461,"like_count":181,"collection_count":206,"content":485,"can_edit":214},"2024-10-08T11:47:12.368Z","2026-05-27T16:07:42.278Z",4,{"id":321,"type":5,"owner_id":321,"about":6,"job_title":6,"url":6,"linkedin":6,"email":6,"staff_of_id":6,"organisation_id":6,"organisation":6},{"id":464,"link":465,"alt":6,"source":6,"created_at":459,"updated_at":466,"article_id":65,"image_profile_id":6,"banner_profile_id":6},"XymwmKsifcI=","https://kh-assets.prod.circularity-gap.world/main-image/1778094693148-EYneiL0B.jpeg","2024-12-05T16:06:37.513Z",[468,469],{"contributor_id":4},{"contributor_id":321},[471],{"article_id":65,"location_id":472,"created_at":473,"updated_at":6,"location":474},"GBR","2026-05-06T19:10:37.786Z",{"id":472,"type":475,"name":476,"color":6,"parent_location_id":477,"created_at":287,"updated_at":6},"country","United Kingdom","EU",[479],{"article_id":65,"industry_id":480,"created_at":473,"updated_at":6,"industry":481},"fashion_and_textiles",{"id":480,"name":482,"description":483,"sector":484},"Fashion and Textiles","Producing textile and leather products and processing them into apparel and accessories","goods_and_services",{"id":486,"score":181,"body":487,"status":213,"article_id":65,"created_at":459,"updated_at":466,"published_at":459},"RxoY",{"title":488,"outcome":489,"problem":490,"summary":491,"solution":492,"attachment":493},"Stella McCartney uses innovative production technologies","\u003Cp>Stella McCartney's efforts are part of a growing movement toward reducing fashion's environmental impact, highlighting the potential of innovative materials and circular production models to drive meaningful change.\u003C/p>","\u003Cp>The fashion industry is one of the largest polluters in the world, heavily reliant on water, energy, and non-renewable resources like petroleum-based polyester. Conventional cotton and polyester production often leads to habitat destruction for agriculture or fossil fuel extraction, impacting planetary boundaries such as biosphere integrity (ecosystems and wildlife) and climate change (through fossil fuel-induced greenhouse gases). Traditional clothing production also generates massive waste, both during manufacturing and at the end of the product's life cycle, as garments often end up in landfills.\u003C/p>","\u003Cp>Stella McCartney is an example of a brand that is leading efforts to reduce textile waste, minimise water and energy usage, and promote circular fashion through innovative fabric technologies. The solutions involve using recycled materials, such as garment waste, that reduce reliance on non-renewable resources and offer recyclability or biodegradability.\u003C/p>","\u003Cp>The Adidas by Stella McCartney collection produced a 100% recyclable hoodie crafted from garment waste using NuCycl™ fibre by Evrnu. The cycle starts with used cotton-rich textiles and production waste, which Evrnu works with textile recyclers, brands, and retailers to source. The textile waste is then shredded, liquified, purified, and transformed into Nucycl® fibre, which looks and performs the same as, if not better than, virgin fibre. Utilising NuCycl™ technology, the Infinite Hoodie incorporates 60% NuCycl™ and 40% organic cotton diverted from landfills, demonstrating its potential to be remade into high-performance products repeatedly.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>\u003Cbr>\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Stella McCartney also produced a biofabric tennis dress made with Microsilk™, a prototype concept born from a collaboration with Bolt Threads, and cellulose blended yarn. Bolt Threads studies silk proteins spun by spiders to determine what gives them their incredible properties. Proteins inspired by these natural silks are then produced by using bioengineering, and made with renewable ingredients like water, sugar, and yeast - which can fully biodegrade at the end of its lifecycle.\u003C/p>",[494,496,498],{"name":495,"type":358,"value":495},"https://boltthreads.com/technology/microsilk/",{"name":497,"type":358,"value":497},"https://www.evrnu.com/nucycl",{"name":499,"type":358,"value":499},"https://news.adidas.com/tennis/adidas-by-stella-mccartney-debuts-performance-apparel-prototypes-in-continued-push-to-create-a-more-/s/987619ca-079c-48de-85c2-6958f77349fd",[]]