CityLoops: 7 European cities on course for circularity

This large-scale initiative focused primarily on the transformation of construction and demolition waste and bio-waste.

As part of an EU-financed programme, Rijkswaterstaat and 28 partners have played a major role in promoting circular procurement within the framework of this ground-breaking project. Monica Sánchez Groeneweg, Emile Bruls and Mervyn Jones were Rijkswaterstaat's driving force behind this project. Let's look back on the project with Sánchez Groeneweg.

What role did Rijkswaterstaat play?

Sánchez Groeneweg explains: 'The CityLoops project essentially aimed to create value from materials that had previously been seen as waste. The focus was on various waste streams, with the ambition of retention and reuse, rather than disposal. Rijkswaterstaat brought expertise in circular procurement to the table.'

'We have provided a thorough insight into the transition that the seven cities will be going through. CityLoops has not only tested solutions, but has also converted its know-how and experience into tools and products that procurement professionals can deploy immediately, such as the manual for procurement professionals and the Circular Procurement Tool Kit.'

Can you specify individual examples of pilot projects?

'There was a wide range of CityLoops pilot projects. The focus centred on the testing of tools, including the realisation of a 3D tool for monitoring and planning, and the creation of a digital marketplace that zoomed in on the 3 phases of development: preparation, implementation and safeguarding.'

'One pilot project covered various facets, from reuse of materials at a decommissioned military base in Bodø (Norway) to studies on options for converting organic waste, such as pruning waste in Apeldoorn (the Netherlands), into new products, like paper.'

What was the biggest challenge, in your opinion?

'One of the biggest challenges was implementing circular procurement in practice. This challenge centred in particular on bio-waste, where the varied issues surrounding it, such as reduction of bio-waste, redistribution of excess food and preventing this from becoming waste, made this a complex problem involving a number of disciplines.'

'Reuse of construction and demolition waste is a more straightforward area for circular procurement, while the role of procurement and the impact on bio-waste is much more complex, demanding a multi-faceted approach. Pushing sustainability and circularity high up the agenda of smaller municipalities also appeared challenging, as they are dealing with limited budgets and other priorities.'

What are the biggest success stories?

'The success of CityLoops is easy to see in cities such as Bodø, Norway, where circular procurement was embraced at strategic level and actually became part of the policy', says Sánchez Groeneweg.

It was really good to see how cities could develop new procurement frameworks that contributed to sustainable strategies, thanks to our support. That's something we can really be proud of.

'All this has not only contributed to the waste-management transition; it has also shown that even in the most complex systems, small steps made by motivated individuals can have a lasting impact.'

Did you learn any important lessons?

'The path to the circular economy is an ongoing process. It's not so much about quickly resolving these immense issues as about sharing know-how and celebrating each small step forwards.'

'Occasionally, you must take a moment to look back to realise that you've come all this way. Integrating circular procurement in the wider organisational strategies of the cities was the key focus area. It is also true that there is an enormous cultural diversity if you assess the cities.'

'The work culture in the south of Europe, for instance, is totally different to the culture of Scandinavia. In that sense, each city is different and is following its own path to becoming a circular city.'

What's the way forward?

With CityLoops as the catalyst, the knowledge acquired has been documented and bundled in handbooks and web-based apps, so that other cities can easily make use of the lessons learned and expertise gained.

Sánchez Groeneweg: 'We are now looking at urban metabolism, something that arose from the project, where each city analyses its own impact so that it can close material loops, thereby moving towards a circular future.'

Handbook for procurement professionals

CityLoops has developed a handbook and a tool kit as an inspiration for procurement professionals, local and regional authorities, policy makers and individual bodies, not least to support them in the transition to a circular economy.

The handbook offers practical tools and support for the implementation of circular procurement practices and the promotion of sustainable projects. Read more on the website CityLoops.

Want to get to work yourself?

Find out what your next step is with our circular procurement step-by-step plan. This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.