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Knowledge category: Papers and reports

Municipal policy for the circular economy

Updated on 19.09.2023

This report takes the lessons learned and recommendations from the evaluation of the first three years of Amsterdam Circular, a comprehensive consolidation of insights from the implementation of over 70 circular projects in Amsterdam. It summarises these in practical and actionable points that hold for all cities transitioning to a circular economy.

Author: Circle Economy
Year of publication: 2018

More information

Since 2015, Amsterdam has explored the opportunities for the circular economy in the city and the metropolitan area. The municipality has implemented two programmes geared towards a circular economy, and over 70 circular projects have been completed. These efforts have been recognised and evaluated in 2018, with the findings presented in the report ‘Amsterdam Circular: evaluation and action perspectives’.


The circular economy is indeed realistic and profitable. However, all parties – including governments and businesses – are still at the beginning of the transition. Amsterdam, as a circular frontrunner, now needs to make the transition to the next stage: scaling circularity and making it the standard. In order to do this, there is a need to structurally share the knowledge and experience from the first years of experimentation and to install a culture of working together.


The report is structured along five municipal policy instruments: knowledge instruments; circular public procurement; legislation; spatial planning; and business support. These form the most prominent public interventions to support a circular economy. For each instrument, key learnings and recommended considerations and actions are summarised.

Relevance for Circular Systemic Solutions

This report forms a resource for urban policy makers to help harness their cities’ potential and accelerate their transition to a circular economy, based on the learnings from Amsterdam. The report covers multiple sectors in Amsterdam, as well as the integration of stakeholders within these sectors, making it relevant for cities and regions developing Circular Systemic Solutions.

Sectors

CEAP2 key product value chain

CEAP2 key product value chain

CEAP2 key product value chain

CEAP2 key product value chain

built environment, CEAP2 key product value chain

CEAP2 key product value chain

CEAP2 key product value chain

CEAP2 key product value chain

e.g. chemicals, cosmetics, bio-based industries

e.g. electrical engineering, furniture and interior, textile and fashion

e.g. B2B services

e.g. healthcare

including bio-based economy

e.g. re-use of public spaces and facilities in urban areas

digital tools facilitating CE transition

Territories involved

large 500 000-200 000, medium 200 000-50 000, and small cities 50 000-5 000