Interreg NSR ProCirc: Accelerating the circular economy through circular procurement in the North Sea Region
ProCirc was a transnational project in the North Sea region set up to develop knowledge and understanding of how circular procurement contributes to reducing raw material use, waste, and CO2 emissions across industries. Rijkswaterstaat participated in this project because it contributes to Rijkswaterstaat’s goal of working in a climate-neutral and circular way by 2030.
Procurement organisations can stimulate the circular economy by using their demand to transform markets. This will not only have a direct impact on the business models, innovation and economic opportunities created by suppliers, but also on reducing carbon emissions, resource use, and closing product and material loops.
30 pilots to demonstrate procurement opportunities
To fully benefit from circular opportunities and to contribute to the international development of the circular economy, ProCirc conducted over 30 pilots to demonstrate circular procurement opportunities in various sectors, including textiles, construction, ICT and furniture.
Each pilot contributed to reducing resource use, waste and CO2 emissions by at least 20%-25% per project.
A wealth of experience in circular procurement has been gained. The partners formulated recommendations and guidelines, developed tools and methodologies, and established robust transnational networks to disseminate and accelerate the findings of the circular procurement projects.
Two Joint Statements of Demand were launched, highlighting the project's impact in shaping a more circular economy.
Lessons learned passed on to procurers
The ProCirc project has transformed procurement by actively involving procurement in the life cycle management, which promotes a circular economy.
In the project a peer-to-peer learning and action programme for procurers was created. Tools, guidance, experiences were made available and shared. Task forces have also been set up to support procurement and sustainability professionals. These developments have created a transnational community of practice for the exchange of best practice, which has extended the project's circular procurement initiatives beyond national borders. The project's impact has significantly advanced the circular economy in the North Sea Region and serves as a model for sustainable economic transformation across sectors and regions. It promotes circular decision making in public authorities.
Project period
2019 - 2023
European programme
Project website
Partners
Public Waste Agency of Flanders (BE), Business in the Community (UK), Netværk for Bæredygtig Erhvervsudvikling (DK), Kamp C (BE), Agency for Public and Financial Management (NO), Kolding Kommune (DK), ACR Plus (BE), CLEAN (DK), City of Malmo (SE), Zero Waste Scotland (SC)
