Magazine 95 - nr.5 (engels)

‘‘The circular economy is essential to our continued existence’’ Herman Wijffels, economist and senior advisor at the Utrecht Sustainability Institute

theme: Recycling fee 95% recycling thanks to recycling fee

Raw materials roundabout offers opportunities for waste! issue 5 - Winter 2013

IN THE PICTURE Photograph Dreamstime

In the Netherlands, 2,630,000,000 kg (= 2.6 million tonnes) of old paper are collected and recycled (figures for 2009).

That equates to 94% of the total volume of paper and cardboard placed on the market, every year. With that percentage, in terms of paper recycling, the Netherlands is the frontrunner in Europe.

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95 p4 Herman Wijffels on the run-up to the recycling society

p9 survey: how do consumers feel about car recycling?

p13 Consumer brochure on the recycling fee p17 D66 MP Stientje van Veldhoven and her raw materials roundabout p22 the state of affairs in the world of recycling

p26 95 IN BRIEF p28 The future of recycling

TAKE CONTROL The amount will be staying the same, but the name disposal fee is set to change to recycling fee, a term that ties in far better with what we do. In March, we are launching an information campaign to boost consumer awareness of this new term. The centrefold of this magazine features the information brochure that is soon to be distributed among dealerships throughout the country. It is after all partly thanks to the 45 euro recycling fee that ARN, together with the dismantling, collection, processing and shredder companies, is able to realise the 95 percent recycling target set for 2015. A consumer survey has however revealed that awareness of the fee is not yet universal. Many people are not actually aware of its existence, the amount or what the money is spent on. The magazine provides further details of the survey.

So what do we do with the income from the recycling fee? Part is shared with the dismantling companies as a payment for the work they carry out. Another solid example is the PST facility we have built in Tiel, where shredder waste is separated and processed for reuse as secondary raw materials. The PST is a fabulous showcase for everyone of just how the fee is spent. The recycling fee serves a social purpose.

Thanks to topflight technology, waste material can once again be used as raw materials, thereby reducing environmental burdens and offering a solution to the growing scarcity of raw materials. This magazine gives a number of attractive examples.

Waste is no longer a taboo subject in our society.

Rising raw materials prices mean that waste is becoming increasingly valuable, and ever more attractive for recycling. Recycling in turn helps ensure sustainability, taking matters beyond the realm of businesses simply accepting responsibility for their environment.

Sustainability also offers opportunities, greater involvement with your customers and hence increased customer loyalty, leading to the creation of new possibilities for turnover.

Now is the time to take control and actively implement recycling. Managers are the ideal role models. If you are able to demonstrate that sustainable behaviour generates money and helps protect the environment, your staff will soon be convinced and follow your example. They will automatically propagate your ideas, and in the end we will all be working together for a sustainable future. ir. Arie de Jong, CEO ARN

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circular economy

From throw-away society to recycling society

The circular economy is on its way text Laura Vening photography Hollandse Hoogte, Personal photograph Herman Wijffels

According to MVO Nederland (the Dutch CSR organisation) in its trend report for 2013, the Netherlands is ready for the circular economy. More and more businesses are recognising the urgent need to switch to this system. One leading proponent of the circular economy is Herman Wijffels. What is his definition of the circular economy? And why does he consider this about-face so essential? p4 - -9595zomer p04 winter2012 2013

circular economy

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circular economy

T

he principles of the circular economy are sharing and reuse rather than ownership and disposal. The result should be a sustainable society in which we make more efficient use of natural sources. For Wijffels, it is the only way in which businesses can stay in business, and the same principle in fact applies to society as a whole. A circular economy is essential if society hopes to be able to continue to function in the 21st century.

Transformation

Wijffels has repeatedly explained the importance of the circular economy in his own fascinating manner in a whole raft of programmes, interviews and lectures, from the news programme Nieuwsuur through to the Lowlands University event. There are many short films of his presentations available on YouTube. For example in an interview with Me Judice, an independent discussion forum that aims to promote debate among economists, Wijffels explained, “The concept of the circular economy is based on the observation that in the current situation, with so many people living on the planet and so many products, we are overburdening, exhausting and polluting our natural resources.” According to Wijffels, we are fast approaching the end of the era that can be described as the industrial age. We are still living according to principles dating back to the Enlightenment, but those principles are gradually becoming out of date, and are no longer relevant to the 21st century. “There has to be an about-face towards a new approach to living and working,” suggested Wijffels. “We need to redesign society to operate in a way that matches the conditions in the 21st century. It is time for a transformation.”

Take, make, dump

Wijffels lists three key reasons for a turnaround: massive population growth, the enormous increase in wealth and the growing awareness of the world population due to improved educational opportunities. The current financial system and the top-down way in which we organise everything are out of sync with these developments, as is the way in which we treat our raw materials. At present, the systems are still linear. We dig raw materials out of the ground or extract them from organic natural resources. We then use those raw materials for making products, which at the end of their lifetime we throw away: take, make and dump.

This system cannot be sustained. With the growth in population and wealth, this way of working results in wastage and the destruction of resources. “It is a simple case of overshoot,” explained Wijffels. “We are outpacing the capacity of our planet resulting in overburdening of the resources, shortages and high raw materials prices. We are operating beyond sustainable limits.”

Recycling and upcycling

So what is the solution? We need to switch from a linear to a circular economy. Instead of take, make and dump, we need to use resources and raw materials more efficiently. “We have to treat the environment in a way that strengthens rather than exhausts nature,” suggested p06 - 95 winter 2013

Wijffels. “And that requires a new approach to harvesting. For example, harvesting energy from renewable sources that cannot be exhausted, and not overfishing the seas of the world. This is a huge movement that needs to take shape over the coming period.”

Recycling is an essential element of the circular economy. Organic material should not just be used once but on several occasions.

Products need to be reused to create new products at the end of their lifecycle. Another option is upcycling, a method according to which material is created of a higher quality than the original raw materials.

Wijffels is particularly interested in the advent of urban mining. In some cities, raw materials are recovered from domestic waste flows and waste water, a system that allows us for example to reuse valuable waste materials like phosphate. This is particularly important given that phosphate is an extremely rare fertiliser, stocks of which are likely to be exhausted within just a few decades.

From ownership to borrowing

The reuse of materials requires an important shift. Ownership will be replaced by borrowing: instead of buying goods, consumers will sign an agreement with a supplier, according to which they use the goods without actually acquiring ownership. One often-discussed example is the carpet seller who no longer sells carpets but instead offers them on a lease basis. At the end of the carpet lifecycle, the customer simply returns the carpet and the carpet seller can reuse the raw materials.

Wijffels also cites BMW as a good example of this shift. The company has identified a future for itself as a mobility service provider, which means that they provide their customers with an electric car for travel between home and work, while for example providing an SUV for longer distances and holidays. The Dutch CSR organisation MVO Nederland is also seeing a rise in the numbers of similar initiatives based on reuse and leasing and borrowing, rather than buying. In its trend report, alongside the success of the online second-hand product marketplace Marktplaats and car-sharing initiatives like Green Wheels, MVO Nederland refers to the emergence of websites like peerby.com and spullendelen.nl via which lawnmowers, tools and other similar items can be lent and borrowed. Such an approach is more socially acceptable, cheaper and more sustainable.

Relocalisation

The shift is also having consequences for the financial sector. “This sector is winning back its former role, but in a slightly altered form, namely the financing of processes,” explained Wijffels. “The demand for financing is shifting from the user to the manufacturer, for example of buildings. In the future, buildings will increasingly be leased. As a result, cooperation in the production chain is becoming ever more intensified. That in turn leaves less space for speculation, generating more stable relationships. One by-product of the circular economy is that activities are acquiring a more local character. Take for example the use of solar energy and biomass. The production process is being relocalised.”

circular economy

Lowest ecological footprint

In both business and society, a trend towards sharing and reuse is clearly emerging, made possible partly thanks to the advent of social media. There is renewed appreciation for quality and reuse. As reflected in the MVO Nederland trend report, rising raw materials prices are another contributory factor, making a circular economy ever more attractive for businesses.

All these observations lead MVO Nederland to conclude that the Netherlands is ready for the circular economy. Wijffels also believes that the time is right. “It is no longer a question of the egocentric survival of the fittest, but of cooperation. In the future, we will all have to work together to achieve the lowest ecological footprint. All the ingredients for the next phase in our development are in place, and we now have the necessary knowledge and technology.”

This is certainly true of car recycling. Over the past few years, ARN has established considerable expertise in this field and the recycling of end-of-life vehicles and the recycling fee that make the process possible tie in seamlessly with the principles of the circular economy. ARN, in other words, is ready for the 21st century. How about you? t

About Herman Wijffels Farmer’s son, economist and Christian Democrat (CDA) Herman Wijffels (1942) has occupied a number of senior positions. He was chairman of the Executive Board of the Rabobank, chairman of the Social and Economic Council (SER) and Dutch Director at the World Bank in Washington.

As formateur he laid the foundations for the fourth Balkenende Cabinet. Today he is professor of sustainability and social change at the University of Utrecht and affiliated to the Utrecht Sustainability Institute. He is also co-chairman of World Connectors, an organi­ sation active in promoting a sustainable and fair world. In September 2011, he launched the initiative for a Dutch think tank for a sustainable financial sector, the Sustainable Finance Lab.

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Consumer survey

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Consumer survey

Dutch consumers positive about recycling text Lisa Schonenberg photography Jack Tillmans

At the end of October 2012, ARN organised a survey among consumers to gauge their knowledge, attitude and behaviour in relation to car recycling.

The results reveal that consumers are positive about recycling and that many are aware of the recycling fee for the sustainable processing of products.

However, it also emerged that far fewer of them are aware that cars are subject to a similar recycling fee.

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Consumer survey

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Consumer survey

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y investigating the knowledge and opinions of consumers and their attitude towards car recycling, ARN hopes to gain an insight into how consumers can be more intensively involved in their activities.

ARN organised a survey about recycling among 1,050 Dutch consumers. Together, they represent a good crosssection of Dutch society.

Recycling has a positive image

How much does the average Dutch man or woman recycle? The respondents gave the average Dutch man or woman a score of 5.9. They gave themselves a 6.8. Consumers did express the wish to undertake more recycling activities .When asked how much they would like to do towards recycling, they suggested a score of 7.5. This high figure may be the consequence of the positive image enjoyed by recycling, itself assessed on the basis of an association test (see box). The consumers were shown 17 associations, and asked to indicate whether or not they tied in with recycling. The association test revealed that recycling enjoys a positive image. Among the stronger associations identified by consumers for recycling were the environment, sustainable, green and essential.

Awareness of disposal fee for new cars

The survey revealed that 78% of consumers know what a recycling fee is. The level of awareness of the compulsory fee for new cars among respondents was considerably lower: just 15% showed spontaneous awareness. The majority of recipients also had no idea of the amount of the recycling fee for new cars. In relation to the average new price for a car, those costs are low. The majority of consumers considered the level of the fee to be very reasonable.

Automotive sector responsible for information distribution

Consumers were divided when it comes to the responsibility for the sustainable processing of cars. 34% mentioned dismantling companies and 22% the Dutch government. There was a general lack of awareness among consumers of the use to which the recycling fee is put. Consumers did however express an interest in more information. They wanted that information to be provided at the place where the car is purchased or handed in at the end of its life, in other words the car dismantling company, the garage or the dealer. When asked whether they wished to be kept informed of the process which the end-of-life car subsequently undergoes, 27% issued an affirmative response. The majority of them said that that information should also be provided by the garage or dealership.

Importance of sustainable processing of cars

Consumers said it was important that cars should be processed sustainably. 35% of them expressed a willingness to pay more for sustainable production of a new car, and 31% for the sustainable recycling of cars. In return, they expect a guarantee that the car is indeed sustainably produced and recycled. It is therefore vital to keep consumers informed of where the car can be processed in an environmentally-responsible manner.

Survey conclusion

The survey concludes that, generally speaking, Dutch consumers are positive about recycling. It is good for the economy and they associate recycling with sustainable, green and necessary. They are also themselves actively involved in recycling, and would be willing to do more. Car recycling, on the other hand, is a matter for the government and the automotive sector. According to consumers, these parties bear primary responsibility for car recycling. The majority of respondents consider the sustainable processing of cars important, and many consumers expressed a willingness to pay more for guaranteed sustainability. They suggest that the automotive sector is responsible for information provision about what happens with the recycling fee, and the subsequent processing of the end-of-life vehicle. t

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IN THE PICTURE photography Eigen beeld ARN

Plastics Approximately one third of shredder waste from old cars consists of plastics.

The plastics are separated by specific weight. The lighter plastics are suitable for the production of new plastic components in cars.

Some car manufacturers use up to 50 kg of recycled plastic in each new car.

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FEE

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CAR BOUT RECYCL A G

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95% recycled.

Thanks to your recycling fee.

What exactly happens with the fee?

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Disposal fee is now recycling fee At the end of their lifecycle, cars in the Netherlands are processed and recycled in an environmentally-friendly manner. Because 95% of each end-of-life vehicle is now recycled, in the future you will no longer pay a disposal fee but a recycling fee. But what exactly is the recycling fee spent on?

S

ome cars last longer than others, but eventually every car ends up at a wrecker’s yard. In the Netherlands, on average, cars reach the end of their lifecycle after almost seventeen years. The processing of these end-of-life vehicles is subject to strict requirements. From 2015 onwards, a recycling percentage of no less than 95% is required by law. Of that 95%, at least 85% must be recycling, supplemented by useful application (incineration with energy recovery) to 95%. For the Netherlands alone, this increased requirement means that from 2015 onwards, some 25 million kg of shredder waste will have to be processed into reusable raw materials. The responsibility for this task lies with the combined car manufacturers and importers.

Effective approach

To organise car recycling, the Dutch automotive sector established the ARN – formerly Auto Recycling Nederland – in 1995. Since that time, ARN has left no stone unturned in processing cars as sustainably and efficiently as possible, at the end of their useful life. One major step in that process was the opening of the PST facility in Tiel, in 2011, where the final waste residue from cars is separated using inventive techniques, into materials suitable for reuse in a range of industrial applications. This highly effective approach meant that by 2011, a recycling percentage of 96.1% was achieved. This would seem to suggest that the standard for 2015 has already been fulfilled, were it not for the fact that the percentage of material recycled in 2011, at 83%, was slightly below the standard.

Now that the PST facility operated by ARN is running at full speed, the Netherlands expects to achieve the target with time to spare.

The start of dismantling

To make sure we hit the target, it is vital that Dutch end-of-life vehicles – of which there are some 230,000 each year – are brought to the right place for further processing. The majority end up at the 250 car dismantling companies affiliated to ARN, and who receive a payment for removing the materials for recycling. The process starts with you handing p14 - 95 winter 2013

in the vehicle registration papers, in return for which the dismantling company provides you with a warranty against liability, before the vehicle is deregistered with the RDW (the Government Road Transport Agency).

That is when actual dismantling begins. The battery and liquids are removed; these include engine oil, coolant and brake fluid and any remaining fuel. The seatbelt pretensioners and airbag are then safely deployed, followed by the removal of such items as tyres and glass. The dismantling company also removes components for second-hand resale including alternator, starter motor and headlamps. The dismantled materials for recycling are stored and transported to specialist processors.

Here are a number of possible applications: • Tyres Granulate for sport floors, tiles and roof covering • Used oil Reprocessed into new base oil • Glass Production of bottles, glass wool and new car

glass (windows, etc.)

• Battery Reuse of lead in new batteries

From end-of-life vehicle to raw material

Following dismantling, the bare end-of-life vehicles are transported to one of the shredder companies that collaborate with ARN. Large machines chop the dismantled vehicles into small pieces and the various metals (including iron, aluminium and copper) are separated and supplied to the metal-processing industry. What is left behind is a huge mountain of waste that until recently was either incinerated or dumped.

This shredder waste is now taken to the PST facility. PST stands for Post Shredder Technology, a form of technology deployed following the shredder process for further separating the shredder waste. Using a range of techniques including reduction, centrifugation, sieving and other separation techniques, the PST facility processes a huge quantity of waste into a variety of valuable, neatly sorted raw materials, every day.

My end-of-life vehicle: WHAT HAPPENS TO IT?

In the Netherlands, on average, cars reach the end of their useful life after almost 17 years. At least 95% of the car’s weight is reused: Materials for recycling • Liquids • Tyres • Battery • Glass Specialist companies process all these materials into raw materials for new products.

1 Car dismantling company The owner receives a warranty against liability, and the vehicle is deregistered with the RDV.

Second-hand parts and components Parts and components suitable for reuse are stored and sold, possibly following reconditioning.

Minerals

Fibres

3 2 Shredder company The shredder company extracts metals for the metal processing industry: • Iron • Copper • Aluminium The residue – the shredder waste – is transported to the PST facility in Tiel for further processing

No more incineration or dumping

In collaboration with a series of other specialist companies, ARN has succeeded in finding a useful application for even the most difficult-toprocess waste materials. Following careful treatment, the various plastics retrieved by ARN from the residual waste can for example be turned into new car parts. Some car manufacturers use up to 50 kg of recycled plastic in every new car. And what about for example the floor covering, the seat upholstery and the door panels in your car? There is every possibility that this fibrous material will be reused in the form of street name signs and street furniture, which are manufactured using a mixture of recycled fibre material and a natural resin.

Plastic

PST facility At this installation, shredder waste is separated for reuse, using Post Shredder Technology (PST). The process results in four main flows of recycled material: • Minerals • Fibres • Plastic • Metals These materials are also reintroduced to the production process in a range of industrial applications

• Fibres • Plastic • Minerals

Metals

Suitable for use in street furniture, etc.

Processed into new car parts Raw material for the construction sector

Not completely disappeared

As you can see, practically every part of your car will be usefully reused once it has been handed in to one of the dismantling companies affiliated to ARN. Your old Volkswagen Golf, for example, may end up as part of the mudguard of a Ford Focus, a rubber floor tile or as a street name sign. Given that the parts are no longer simply disposed of, the term recycling fee is a far better reflection of what happens to your car. t 95 winter 2013 - p15

EVE

YCLING REC

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ARN is the Dutch centre of excellence for recycling in the mobility industry, and for 15 years has been responsible for the car recycling chain. ARN thereby gives a new meaning to sustainability and recycling, and delivers an active contribution to the raw materials roundabout.

ARN is expert in three specialist fields:

• • Recycling: ARN develops environmentally-sound and economically-viable methods for achieving recycling targets.

• Control: ARN monitors, implements and supervises the recycling chain.

• Knowledge exchange: ARN actively accrues and shares knowledge in the field of recycling and sustainability.

For more information and for films about car recycling, surf to www.arn.nl

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Government

The Netherland as hub in the raw materials roundabout

Waste is an opportunity

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Government

In 2011, D66 MP Stientje van Veldhoven introduced the term “raw materials roundabout� for the production process that makes use of recycled raw materials. In her description, she suggests a role for the Netherlands as a centre for the sustainable reuse of materials and raw materials. Part of her reasoning is that thanks to its port, Rotterdam is able to rapidly and cheaply handle huge quantities of bulk goods. At the same time, the Netherlands has a considerable internal material flow and the knowledge for effectively converting waste into new, usable raw materials. p18 - 95 winter zomer 2012 2013

Government text Femke Welvaart illustrations Michel van den Boogaard photography Roos de Bolster, Hollandse Hoogte

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Government

D

Stientje van Veldhoven has been a member of the Dutch Lower Chamber for D66 since 17 June 2010. Van Veldhoven is a graduate in international relations. In the Lower Chamber, her focus is mainly on the climate and energy, the environment, agriculture and development cooperation, and she recently introduced the term “raw materials roundabout”.

66 is working to encourage the Dutch government to take measures to promote the reuse of raw materials. As part of those efforts, in 2011, MP Stientje van Veldhoven came up with the idea of the raw materials roundabout: a recycling process that helps to reduce the shortage of raw materials, protects the environment and strengthens our economy. As Van Veldhoven explained, “The Netherlands is the ideal hub in Europe for the collection and conversion of highquality waste into new, usable raw materials. The raw materials roundabout offers a fabulous opportunity for Dutch industry, for innovation, economic growth and employment. We, with our ports and infrastructure, are in a unique position that could enable us to play a central role in the new, green economy.”

Government stimulation

Raw materials like oil, phosphate and metals are becoming increasingly scarce and more expensive. A raw materials roundabout means that these materials will no longer be exhausted but instead are sustainably traded, used and subsequently reused. Van Veldhoven has identified five areas in which the government could help to stimulate this production process. “First of all, the government could charge less tax on recycled raw materials than on the use of ‘new’ materials. That would make reuse economically more attractive. At the same time, the charges for labour should be reduced and those on the consumption of energy and raw materials raised. It is also important that the government imposes limits on the incineration of valuable materials, and makes every effort to establish a European market for the reuse of waste, an EU-wide dumping ban on retrievable raw materials by 2020, and minimum European standards for reuse.”

Former Secretary of State Joop Atsma supported Van Veldhoven’s raw materials roundabout and in response presented a series of visions on the subject, in 2011. In 2012 those visions were considered sufficient, and according to the press spokesman of the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, there is no reason to assume that the new Cabinet has changed its view.

Joop Atsma’s Waste Memorandum

On 25 August 2012, the former Secretary of State submitted his 53-page Waste Memorandum entitled ‘More value from waste’ to the Lower Chamber. In his p20 - 95 winter 2013

memorandum, he explained that the Netherlands is capable of recycling far more than paper, glass and garden, fruit and vegetable waste. “There are less wellknown forms of recycling which in terms of volume often easily exceed these popular examples.” He was referring to industrial waste reused as animal feed and construction and demolition waste that is reused as foundation material beneath new roads. According to Atsma in his Waste Memorandum, “Cars, car tyres, straw, waste from mushroom growing, road sweeping and public green areas, auction waste, incinerator ash and the granules used for softening drinking water can all be reused in some way or another, in our economy.”

He suggested making even better use of the unique position occupied by the Netherlands, as well as making a contribution to the raw materials roundabout. “The current large scale of recycling has already created a raw materials roundabout, but there is much more to be done. Even more waste could be used as a raw material, in a manner that serves both the environment and our economy.” If we keep more materials in the cycle, concluded Atsma, more activities will emerge from which our country can derive great economic profits.

“Recycling pays for itself, while at the same time it helps us encourage our knowledge economy, as well as making available the scarce raw materials contained in the waste itself.”

Netherlands the ideal intersection for Europe

In order to keep raw materials within the boundaries of Europe, we should not only view waste as a form of raw material itself, but also make sure the Netherlands acquires the role of hub in the recycling process. Van Veldhoven explained, “Rotterdam can play an important role in this respect given its capacity to rapidly and cheaply handle large quantities of bulk goods. In addition, we already have a considerable internal material flow in the Netherlands, as well as the knowledge necessary for effectively converting waste into new, usable raw materials.” As Secretary of State, Atsma also recognised these opportunities.

In his Waste Memorandum, he explained that based on knowledge and expertise in the

Government

field of raw material retrieval from waste, just such a central role is within the grasp of the Netherlands. “On top of that, the development of new business models and the already solid position of the Netherlands as a transit and distribution country offer an excellent starting position. In other words, there are huge opportunities for making existing roundabouts more effective and more active, and bringing about the establishment of new roundabouts.” The first points of interest in terms of waste flows relate to textiles, plastics, phosphate and electrical appliances, because there are already initiatives in place in those areas, and perfecting specifically those roundabouts represents a valuable first step. “If we start to make more use of waste as a raw material,” explained Atsma, “we will strengthen our competitive position in respect of other countries, as this will make us less dependent on third countries for our raw materials.”

Role of the Port of Rotterdam versus government

The Port of Rotterdam Authority (HBR) announced in May 2011 that its future vision offered clear prospects for recycling activities. As Atsma explained, “The experience of the HBR is that businesses themselves recognise the opportunities for establishing chains and building business cases. The authority does not directly act as a facilitator, but is willing to assist in offering businesses their own place in the chain in line with the port’s own vision. The role of central government is above all reserved for ensuring regulation, for example

by simplifying the opportunities for transporting waste over national borders”. Do Dutch and Belgian consumers already demonstrate a similar level of forward thinking? “It is not unlikely that clients of lease companies will in the future demand more green recovery. This project will lead to energy saving, but the main benefit is that it further embeds green thinking in our genetic makeup. That will help us achieve an even greater lead over our competitors. We are currently in a crisis, but following recovery we will have established a considerable advantage. Gas and electricity are set to become ever more expensive, so it is just a question of time before more people start to appreciate our green project. On the other hand, I have been disappointed by the response from the average large customers. They appear extremely laconic. As if they do not realise that we are already doing far more than simply sticking a green sticker on front doors. Perhaps the automotive industry is not yet as green as we have been led to believe.”

More raw material roundabouts

“The Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment has announced the ambition of further expanding the number of raw material roundabouts in the Netherlands this year. For more information about waste recycling and the government, surf to www. rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/afval. t

Joop Atsma is a Dutch Christian Democrat politician (CDA), sport administrator and former journalist. He was Secretary of State for Infrastructure and the Environment in the Rutte I Cabinet. In 2011, Atsma published a policy document on the Cabinet’s approach to Climate policy en route to 2020.

End-of-life vehicles on the roundabout

As long ago as 2011, the Netherlands announced the ambition to recycle a total of 95% of end-of-life vehicles by 2015. The PST facility opened in April 2011 is a major contributing factor to that goal. “With its recycling facility for end-of-life vehicles, ARN has demonstrated in practice that a waste flow can be used innovatively to create raw materials”, commented Atsma, during the official opening. “It is my intention that we in the Netherlands look into whether more waste flows can be used as a source of raw materials, thereby turning the Netherlands into even more of a raw material roundabout. Not only end-of-life vehicles but also textiles and plastics are waste flows suitable for high-quality processing.” ARN decided to build the PST plant in 2005, as a facility where the various materials from end-of-life vehicles could be recycled. Thanks to the Post Shredder Technology (PST), recycling costs are lower, and the recycling performance is higher.

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Recycling in other sectors

Recycling in the Netherlands: well organised!

For some time now, recycling in the Netherlands has gone well beyond simply vegetable, fruit and garden waste. Such products as paper, tin cans, glass, textile, rubble, plastic and wood are also collected, and wherever possible reused. As a result, often unknowingly, the average Dutch man and woman makes a considerable contribution to recycling. But why bother? And how is the whole process organised?

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Recycling in other sectors

text Rob de Boer photography Dreamstime

I

n the fight against the ever growing waste mountain, ever smaller amounts of waste are being dumped in the Netherlands. Instead, all the waste is carefully sorted and further processed. The overall result is less consumption of raw materials, less energy consumption, less residual waste and eventually lower burdens on the environment. To ensure the most efficient possible handling of waste, together with the private sector and waste processors, for a number of years the Dutch government has been operating according to the so-called Ladder of Lansink, the purpose of which is to ensure the highest possible value reuse of waste. The initial priority is focused on prevention, by limiting the volumes of waste and packaging material as far as possible during the production process. In the next step on the ladder – the reuse of products – still no waste is produced. The many recycling shops in the Netherlands are excellent examples of this process stage, as are car components which are reused, many of them following reconditioning. If products are not immediately suitable for reuse, the next stage is the sorting and recycling of waste materials. Metal, glass, plastic and paper are perhaps the clearest examples of materials which following recycling are put directly back into the production process. Only once all useful materials have been separated from the waste is the final phase reached, namely the incineration of residual waste, whereby the energy released is recovered. This in turn is followed by a lower form of incineration without energy recovery. Finally, the dumping of waste is the least desirable solution on Lansink’s Ladder.

Careful handling of batteries

The collection and recycling of empty batteries is a process supported in the Netherlands by Stibat, whose work over the years means that today, some 42% of all batteries sold are handed in to one of the many collection points. This is well above the government-imposed target of 25%. From 2016 onwards, a compulsory collection percentage of 45% will be introduced right across Europe. The method according to which empty batteries are collected and recycled in the Netherlands is laid down in the law, with specific roles set aside for government, manufactures and shop organisations. Shopkeepers who sell batteries, for

example, are required to collect used batteries, while manufacturers and importers pay a small fee to Stibat for every battery sold. This fee is for example spent on funding the transport, sorting and recycling of batteries. It is vital that the collection and recycling of batteries takes place in a sound and efficient manner. After all, batteries contain substances including cadmium, lead and mercury which are very harmful to the environment, while other elements they contain such as metals, are excellently suitable for reuse. The processing of batteries is very much worthwhile given that the average Dutch household has 114 batteries in use, at any one time, for example in remote controls, watches, mobile telephones, bicycle lamps and smoke alarms. In addition, the average Dutch household has 23 empty or otherwise unused batteries. Another relevant factor in this respect is that over the past few years the number of batteries in households has risen considerably from 71 in 2003 to 96 in 2009 and 114 in 2012.

Paper please!

To better organise the collection of waste paper in the Netherlands, the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment signed a paper fibre covenant in 1997 with the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG) and the Dutch Paper Recycling Foundation (PRN). Since that time, municipalities in the Netherlands have been responsible for the collection of waste paper and cardboard from their local residents. This can for example be achieved by supplying households with separate paper containers, but there are also municipalities where the residents are themselves asked to hand in their paper and cardboard at a central collection location. Alongside these options, numerous sports clubs and associations earn useful additional income from the collection of waste paper and cardboard.

The effectiveness of this approach is demonstrated by the fact that no less than 86 percent of all paper and cardboard used in the Netherlands is recycled. Based on these figures, the Netherlands has been at the top of the European rankings for years. The high recycling percentage also means that waste paper and cardboard are the main raw material components for the production of new paper/cardboard.

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Recycling in other sectors

Paper recycling through the years 1991

58%

1995

68%

2000

70%

2005

77%

2011

86%

Within that process, waste paper and cardboard are first ground to paper pulp in water, before ink removal and bleaching. Following drying, the paper is once again ready for further processing into newspapers, magazines, tissues and packaging material. Nonetheless, even paper is not infinitely recyclable. With every processing, paper fibres lose part of their strength, and as a consequence can only be recycled a maximum of six or seven times. In paper production, fibres from old paper are therefore mixed with fresh paper fibres manufactured from woodchips. In this way, new paper is produced from approximately 75% recycled paper and cardboard. All in all, this approach makes the Dutch paper industry a prime example of the value and operation of the raw material roundabout.

Fat, recycle it!

Waste processing according to the Ladder of Lansink • Prevention • Reuse • Recycling • Incineration with energy recovery • Incineration without energy recovery • Dumping

It is important that the government makes a distinction in electrical appliances that are recycled. For televisions, for example, a far lower requirement is imposed than on energyefficient lamps. In 2011, Wecycle succeeded in exceeding the statutory requirements in all categories, as shown in the following overview

Category Statutory Achieved

requirement recycling*

recycling* Televisions

65%

88%

Refrigerators/freezers

75%

94%

Large white goods

75%

78%

brown goods

60%

77%

Energy-efficient lamps

80%

93%

Other white and

* Relates to the recycling percentage per appliance

Overall, the Dutch are good at recycling and are past masters at handing in glass, batteries and garden waste en masse to the designated locations. Unfortunately, however, there are also substances with an as yet insufficiently utilised recycling potential. One example is the fat used in the majority of Dutch kitchens, in the form of fat for deep-fat fryers, and olive oil and sunflower oil. Every year, Dutch households get through some 20 million kg of fat and oil, all of which could be excellently reused for the production of biofuel. Research has however revealed that almost 40 percent of the Dutch population are unaware of this potential reuse. One third of all consumers even dispose of fat and oil via their kitchen sink, with all the disastrous consequences for the sewer system. Against that background, the RIONED foundation and the Information Agency for Margarine, Fats and Oils have jointly launched the campaign ‘Fat, recycle it!’ This campaign encourages consumers to return fats and oils to their original packaging, which should then be handed at the yellow wheelie bin provided for exactly that purpose by local supermarkets and sports clubs. To make collection more efficient, the number of collection points is due to be considerably expanded over the coming period.

Recycling of electrical appliances picking up speed

The recycling of electrical appliances and energy-efficient lighting systems in the Netherlands is the responsibility of Wecycle. The process is undertaken on behalf of the manufacturers and importers, who are thereby jointly complying with their legal responsibility to ensure that this so-called ‘e-waste’ is collected and recycled in a responsible manner. A disposal fee has been charged with every electrical appliance purchased since 1999, but for small electrical appliances such as televisions and toasters, this fee was halted at the start of 2011. Since February, the disposal charge for large white goods such as washing machines and refrigerators has also no longer been charged. Using the disposal fees collected to date, work has above all been focused on processing the mountain of old electrical appliances for which no disposal fee was charged, when they were first sold. Instead, the manufacturers and importers have now included the disposal costs in the selling price, allowing Wecycle to collect and recycle a range of electrical devices in a responsible manner. The collection of end-of-life electrical appliances is primarily organised by the municipal recycling centres and individual retailers. In respect of eventual recycling targets, Wecycle must comply with the European WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) regulations. At 4 kg of ‘e-waste’ per person, the WEEE target is relatively modest, and has in fact been easily exceeded by Wecycle, with a total of 7.5 kg per person.

In 2011, Wecycle collected almost 110 million kg of electrical equipment, a huge step forward as compared to just five years ago, when the total volume of e-waste collected amounted to just 77.4 million kg. For 2019, the Dutch government has formulated a target of approximately 16 kg of recycled e-waste per head of the population. That represents at least a doubling of the current volume of recycled electrical equipment.

A world of plastic

By recycling as many plastic bags and as much other plastic packaging material as possible, less of this material disappears into waste incinerators. The result is a major downturn in CO2 emissions, in turn positive as regards the greenhouse effect. Research by Senter Novem has shown that each year, the collection of plastic results in a CO2 reduction of 210 kilotons (figures for 2007). This equates to the electricity consumed by some one hundred thousand households. An additional advantage is that the collected plastic can once again be used in the production of floor coverings, tennis balls, fleece clothing and new bottles and containers. Many Dutch municipalities have now introduced the separate collection of plastic packaging materials. In this way, the government hopes to meet the target of recycling 42 percent of all plastic used, each year. In 2009, this total had reached 32 percent. p24 - 95 winter 2013

Recycling in other sectors

Construction and demolition waste

The construction and demolition sector in the Netherlands are responsible for a major waste flow.

Several years ago, BRBS Recycling, an association of rock crushers, sorters and recycling companies, was established in this sector, jointly responsible for processing 75 to 80 percent of the total volume of Dutch construction and demolition waste. Of that volume, 98 percent is currently recycled.

Glass, tin cans and textiles

Glass is one of the few materials that remains 100 percent infinitely recyclable. That may well be the reason why the very first glass container appeared on the Dutch street scene as far back as 1978.

Since that time, the separate disposal of glass pots and bottles has become second nature for most Dutch people. Each year, some 40 million kg of glass are delivered via this route to the smelting ovens of the glass factories. This is extremely useful, since new glass made up of 80 percent recycled glass represents an energy saving of 25 percent. As a sector organisation, the Stichting Kringloop Glas recycling foundation organises the collection and recycling of glass in the Netherlands. The recycling of glass and paper are elements of government policy aimed at reducing domestic residual waste as far as possible. Broadly speaking, approximately half of all domestic waste is recycled, a percentage the Dutch government aims to raise by 2015 to 60 to 65 percent. To achieve that higher percentage, material including tin cans and textiles will be critically considered over the next few years. At present, some 124 million kg of textiles disappear into the incineration ovens each year, while on average only 70 million kg are collected, even though textile is so eminently suited for practically complete reuse. There is a clear task for the Association for Textile Recovery to bring about a change to this situation. The recycling of tin cans fares much better. For many years, wasteprocessing companies have used magnets to separate tin cans from other domestic waste. Huge improvements have been made (above all over the past 10 years), as a result of which no less than 85 percent of all tin can packaging in the Netherlands is recycled. As well as saving on raw materials, this recycling has delivered an energy saving of 75 percent.

brbs.nl kringloopblik.nl kringloopglas.nl prn.nl wecycle.nl textielrecycling.nl vetrecyclehet.nl stibat.nl

95 winter 2013 - p25

95 in short

The circular economy is on its way

Dutch consumers positive about recycling

4

8

Waste is an opportunity

Recycling in the Netherlands: well organised!

Wijffels lists three key reasons for a turnaround: massive population growth, the enormous increase in wealth and the growing awareness of the world population due to improved educational opportunities. The current financial system and the top-down way in which we organise everything are out of sync with these developments, as is the way in which we treat our raw materials. At present, the systems are still linear. We dig raw materials out of the ground or extract them from organic natural resources. We then use those raw materials for making products, which we throw away at the end of their lifetime: take, make and dump.

17

In order to keep raw materials within the boundaries of Europe, we should not only view waste as a form of raw material itself, but also make sure the Netherlands acquires the role of hub in the recycling process. Van Veldhoven explained, “Rotterdam can play an important role in this respect given its capacity to rapidly and cheaply handle large quantities of bulk goods. In addition, we already have a considerable internal material flow in the Netherlands, as well as the knowledge necessary for effectively converting waste into new, usable raw materials.� As Secretary of State, Atsma also recognised these opportunities. In his Waste Memorandum, he explained that based on knowledge and expertise in the field of raw material retrieval from waste, just such a central role is within the grasp of the Netherlands. p26 - 95 winter 2013

Consumers were divided when it comes to the responsibility for the sustainable processing of cars. 34% mentioned dismantling companies and 22% the Dutch government. There was a general lack of awareness among consumers of the use to which the recycling fee is put. Consumers did however express an interest in more information.

They wanted that information to be provided at the place where the car is purchased or handed in at the end of its life, in other words the car dismantling company, the garage or the dealer. When asked whether they wished to be kept informed of the process which the end-of-life car subsequently undergoes, 27% issued an affirmative response. The majority of them said that that information should also be provided by the garage or dealership.

22

Overall, the Dutch are good at recycling and are past masters at handing in glass, batteries and garden waste en masse to the designated locations. Unfortunately however, there are also substances with an as yet insufficiently utilised recycling potential. One example is the fat used in the majority of Dutch kitchens, in the form of fat for deep-fat fryers, and olive oil and sunflower oil. Every year, Dutch households get through some 20 million kg of fat and oil, all of which could be excellently reused for the production of biofuel. Research has however revealed that almost 40 percent of the Dutch population are unaware of this potential reuse. One third of all consumers even dispose of fat and oil via their kitchen sink, with all the disastrous consequences for the sewer system. Against that background, the RIONED foundation

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95 in short

COLOPHON

95% recycled. Thanks to your recycling fee

13

To organise car recycling, the Dutch automotive sector established the ARN – formerly Auto Recycling Nederland – in 1995. Since that time, ARN has left no stone unturned in processing cars as sustainably and efficiently as possible, at the end of their useful life. One major step in that process was the opening of the PST facility in Tiel, in 2011, where the final waste residue from cars is separated using inventive techniques into materials suitable for reuse in a range of industrial applications. This highly effective approach meant that by 2011, a recycling percentage of 96.1% was achieved. This would seem to suggest that the standard for 2015 has already been fulfilled, were it not for the fact that the percentage of material recycled in 2011, at 83%, was slightly below the standard. Now that the PST facility operated

by ARN is running at full speed, the Netherlands expects to achieve the target with time to spare.

ARN is the Dutch centre of excellence for recycling in the mobility industry. Within this sector, for 15 years, ARN has been responsible for the recycling chains. ARN has now become the centre of excellence in respect of recycling, chain energy and knowledge exchange. ARN uses its expertise to assist businesses and – national and international – governments, and to provide advice on sustainability issues.

95 is a magazine for business relations of ARN, and is published twice a year. A Dutch language version is also available.

Publication ARN P.O. Box 12252 1100 AG Amsterdam ZO De Entree 258 1101 EE Amsterdam ZO Netherlands Telephone +31 (0)20 66 131 81 info@arn.nl www.arn.nl Design and production Sabel Communicatie Rembrandtlaan 24 3723 BJ Bilthoven Netherlands Telephone +31 (0)88 227 22 80 info@sabelcommunicatie.nl www.sabelcommunicatie.nl Responsible at ARN Janet Kes Other contributors Sabel Communicatie: Rob the Boer, Lisa Schoonenberg, Laura Vening, Femke Welvaart Project management Viona Nieuwenhuis, Céleste Slijters Art direction/design Michel van den Bogaard, Michel Giezen Photography, infographics and illustrations Roos de Bolster, Michel van den Boogaard (Sabel Design), Marco Peters (fotograaf.nl), Thijs Unger (vof Unger-Kisman), Dreamstime, Hollandse Hoogte, picture material contributed by relevant organisations Printing Dunnebier Print, Nederhorst den Berg (Dutch version) Translation English edition sbv anderetaal, Noordeloos

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and the Information Agency for Margarine, Fats and Oils have jointly launched the campaign ‘Fat, recycle it!’. This campaign encourages consumers to return fats and oils to their original packaging, which should then be handed in at the yellow wheelie bin provided for exactly that purpose by local supermarkets and sports clubs. To make collection more efficient, the number of collection points is due to be considerably expanded over the coming period. t

© Sabel Communicatie, Bilthoven 2013 Articles from this publication may be reproduced following prior permission from the publisher and the editor. All information in this magazine has been compiled with the greatest possible care. If inaccuracies or shortcomings of whatever kind should nonetheless occur, the affected parties cannot be held liable. Users may derive no rights from the information provided in the magazine.

95 winter 2013 - p27

In the future

100%recycling?