Circular economy cities: Lessons from Amsterdam, Utrecht and The Hague
The circular economy is being championed in the EU as the new economic approach for a sustainable future. Many cities have already begun experimenting, so what can we learn from those involved in these initial experiments?
A recent study led by Kieran Campbell-Johnston from the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development gives insight into the challenges and opportunities facing Amsterdam, Utrecht and The Hague. The study reveals that while some cities are experimenting, their scope and influence is often limited to improving waste management. Broadening this scope will require greater involvement of national and international governmental bodies.
Overcoming the current linear economy
The circular economy is seen as a way to overcome the current linear economy, which comes with unsustainably high levels of resource extraction and generates large amounts of waste. Instead, the circular economy seeks to maximise the usefulness of materials and products throughout their lifecycle. Eliminating waste and reducing demand on new materials will also help tackle issues of biodiversity loss, climate change, and increased population pressures.
Why is the circular economy important for cities?
Cities are a good representation of the current linear economic system. They are responsible for over 75% of resource use and carbon emissions, and 70% of waste generation globally, with most of these impacts experienced far away from the urban spaces of their origin.
The growing density of urban spaces means pressures are likely to increase in the coming years. This makes cities important sites for experimentation with emerging circular economy strategies. So what are the experiences and outcomes of those involved in the initial experiments, and how can we learn from them?
Experiences from Amsterdam, Utrecht and The Hague
Dutch cities Amsterdam, Utrecht and The Hague are all experimenting with the circular economy. In their research Campbell-Johnston and his colleagues have observed that the construction sector and more sophisticated waste management are early focuses in these cities’ push for circularity. Measures employed by municipalities to stimulate circularity include zoning laws, public procurement, tendering contracts and capacity building for stakeholders.
Stimulating circular behavior in actors a major challenge
Practitioners working on circularity expressed that communicating and getting actors to think and act in a more circular manner is one of the most pressing challenges. Other challenges include finding high-value innovative solutions for low-quality wastes which comply with EU waste law. Many plastics, for example, are of such poor quality that they can only be used for once and are very difficult to recycle.
A more integrated approach needed
The study found that while municipalities have a wide range of measures to stimulate a more circular economy, they are not able to influence the whole value chain. With most impacts experienced far from away from their city origins, there is limited scope for shaping completely circular solutions. For this the authors argue that a more integrated approach with greater involvement of national and international governmental bodies is needed, and that municipalities should focus on leveraging the strong influence they already have on consumer behaviour through education and the facilitation of reuse activities within their boundaries.
Further reading
Campbell-Johnston, K., ten Cate, J., Elfering-Petrovic, M., & Gupta, J. (2019). City level circular transitions: Barriers and limits in Amsterdam, Utrecht and The Hague. Journal of Cleaner Production.