The Week of Circular Economy welcomes everyone to explore Dutch initiatives
Next week marks the commencement of the Week of Circular Economy, featuring an extensive program nationwide. Amsterdam is showcasing its circular endeavours through tours, workshops, and lectures on topics like transforming waste into pavement tiles and upcycling old t-shirts into crochet bags. The week encapsulates innovation in every sector.
The Week of the Circular Economy 2024
Commencing from the 11th to the 16th of March, the Week of the Circular Economy is an annual event devoted to heightening awareness and fostering initiatives in the realm of circularity. It functions as a platform for the exchange of knowledge, the promotion of innovation, and the encouragement of actions that propel the shift towards a circular economy.
The primary goal is to showcase the practical aspects of circular entrepreneurship, offering attendees and businesses new to or in the early stages of adopting circular practices valuable insights into global challenges, planetary boundaries, and their implications for different sectors. For example, what is the remaining amount of CO2 that can still be emitted by the construction sector – and what options does construction have to contribute to the restoration of these planetary boundaries?
Organised by Het Versnellingshuis Nederland Circulair, this year's edition not only highlights the collaborative business ethos and knowledge-sharing commitment of the Netherlands but also stands as a catalyst for inspiring innovation nationwide. Het Versnellingshuis actively aids entrepreneurs in advancing their circular economy pursuits by providing inspiration, facilitating knowledge exchange, and connecting them with experts in the field.
What’s on the program?
Across the country, different events and activities are organised, spanning diverse circular themes bringing together pioneers and offering practical tools to newcomers embarking on their journey into the circular economy. Such events as Help Build Circular Construction and Infrastructure in Utrecht or Circularity in Architecture and the Built Sciences in Delft. Events also include online and in-person open days, tours, bike tours in true Dutch style, and live Q&A sessions with experts. Spanning across various industries like food/agriculture, finance, textiles and fashion, circular learning, design/art, energy transition, and more.
Throughout the week, sustainability hubs, including Circl Movement, Sustainalab, and Pakhuis de Zwijger will showcase inspiring projects and individuals driving Amsterdam's circular agenda forward. More sessions include:
- Opening the Week of Circular Economy - A cinema film about just starting and persevering through to bring about real change.
- The role of AI in the circular economy - A discussion about the possibilities of AI speeding up the transition towards a circular economy.
- Circular harbour tour of Amsterdam - A harbour tour through the Amsterdam port, a leading logistics hub for transitioning to a circular economy, prioritising clean energy generation and the implementation of groundbreaking solutions.
Attendees in Amsterdam can delve into insights on circular challenges, exploring themes like circular entrepreneurship and sustainable food practices. The city is undergoing a transition towards a circular model, aiming to reduce waste and conserve resources. With a commitment to cutting raw material consumption by 2030 and achieving full circularity by 2050, Amsterdam is fostering a thriving, accessible, and eco-friendly urban environment.
