Circular entrepreneurship

Globally, materials and products must be handled more sustainably. A circular economy is one way to pursue this goal. This involves using products, raw materials and services as economically and smartly as possible. The aim is to maximize the reuse of products and raw materials and to minimize the loss of value.

Companies that want to work according to the principles of circular entrepreneurship must think in advance about the design and the materials they want to use for this. When a circular designed and produced product has reached the end of its life cycle, for example, it is taken apart and parts or raw materials can be reused.

Why circular entrepreneurship?

• An organization positions itself as a leader in the field of sustainability;
• It often concerns unique or innovative products and production methods;
• An organization guarantees that it is committed to safety, health and the environment;
• Forerunner in the market as a circular company;
• Setting up a standard.

Currently the global economy is only 8.6% circular. This means that over 90% of the raw materials entering the economy is ultimately wasted. The Netherlands is a leader in the circular use of materials. On average, we deal twice as efficiently with products than other EU countries. Although by no means all used raw materials are reused (the annual waste per inhabitant amounts to 9.8 tons of materials), we are 24.5% circular.