World Resources Forum 2019 Closing Loops - Transitions at work FEB 2019 24-27 Antwerp Belgium

WRF’19 | Closing Loops 1 Dear reader, Dear reader,

For almost four decades, the Public Waste Agency of The WRF conference in “a room with a zoo” in Flanders (OVAM) has been working on a sustainable Antwerp was a very special one. It was one of the most waste and materials policy. With success, because our sizzling WRF conferences ever, with a diverse program region has become a leader in this field in Europe. of speeches, talks and discussions, music, a fashion show, and site visits. It also brought very diverse Nevertheless, we note that our material footprint participants and stakeholders together. Ranging from is still far too large for the carrying capacity of our Her Majesty the Queen, in her capacity as Ambassador planet. What’s more, our studies also conclude that of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, to business 60% of our carbon footprint derives from how we leaders, city officials, national and international deal with waste and materials. government delegates, researchers, consultants, NGOs and in particular ... many young people. That is why Flanders has resolutely chosen to close material cycles and to shape the transition to a circular The miracle of the multi-stakeholder dialogue economy. From our experience we know that the best approach, for which the WRF has a growing global way to do this is to learn from each other’s best prac- recognition, came to life in Antwerp. No wonder that tices. Hence our initiative “Closing Loops - Transitions the feedback was excellent, and the follow up actions at work”, an event for the interactive exchange numerous and strong. And we know that most of the of ideas and inspiration at the WRF 2019. fruits of such conferences are invisible, resulting from official and informal dialogue, careful planning and I am very pleased to present to you the rich outcomes coincidence, precious butterflies of inspiration of this fruitful exchange that brought together... flapping their wings in the heart of Europe and 750 participants from more than 60 countries for this pollinating global impact. congress. I would like to thank all the participants, sponsors, workshop organisers, keynote speakers, The Antwerp WRF’19 conference has boosted our and so on for their cooperation in making this forum common knowledge about the circular economy such a success. approach and how to make it work. It has inspired us all to keep fighting and to keep building a sustainable Enjoy reading! future together.

Henny De Baets Bas de Leeuw CEO, Public Waste Agency of Flanders (OVAM) Managing Director of the World Resources Forum

2 WRF’19 | Closing Loops 6 WRF’19 Chairs: 5 4 Insights from the conclusions to plenary sessions keep in mind

Cities and regions Preserving soil Sustainable materials ­as laboratories for And land 10 and waste management circular change 8 in a circular economy 12

Exploring the future Making digital Circular ­ role of ports in a technologies economy low carbon, circular drivers for circular as enabler for economy 17 change 20 climate policy 22

1.5-degree The global metal Bio-economy: lifestyles 24 flows in a circular circular economy 26 by nature! 28

30 Circular visits 31 3 days, 3 design 32 Overarching challenges to cut challenges down e-waste

WRF’19 | Closing Loops 3 INSIGHTS FROM THE PLENARY SESSIONS

During the plenary sessions some of the world’s most Systemic change renowned experts shared their views on how to tackle And although many countries have important issues such as climate change and biodiversity already taken a few steps in the right head on. direction, a more systemic approach is required. Hans Bruyninckx (Direc- According to Bruno Oberle, the created the momentum needed to tor of the European Environment president of the WRF, the most force the issue. “We need to wake up Agency): “We have to change the key important challenge we are facing now and take the concerns of young systems of our society, namely the with regards to climate change, people very seriously”, said Dianne energy system, the food system, the the Sustainable Development Goals Dillon Ridgley (Executive Director of mobility system and the urban sys- (SDGs) and the circular economy is the Women’s Network for a Sustain- tem. We therefore need to address the mobilisation of political and pub- able Future) during the appropriately the core drivers of those systems: lic support. Yet all agreed that the named ‘wake up session’ on Tuesday policy-making, business decisions time is now. Climate protesters have morning. and our financial system.”

4 WRF’19 | Closing Loops Two other keynote speakers zoomed Club of Rome agreed: “At the Club of equity. Koen Van den Heuvel, the in on that last aspect. Janez Potočnik Rome, we look beyond GDP and focus Flemish Minister of Environment, agreed (former European Commissioner for on new economic theories. We must that all societal actors need to be in- the Environment and current co-chair look at new ways of measuring peo- volved in the decision-making process: of the UN International Resource ple’s wellbeing and wealth distribution: government members, academics, re- Panel) for instance said that our econ- we need new indices.” presentatives of industry, civil society … omy must be based on the principles of sustainable production and con- Inclusion and partnerships Co-creation and partnerships across sumption (SDG 12). “Without this shift sectors and national borders were to a sustainable economy, it is not only When it comes to devising concrete also at the centre of the WRF event. impossible to meet the environmental solutions and policies, all stakeholders The innovative projects presented put SDGs, it is also unlikely that we will must be included. According to Dianne into practice SDG 17: strengthening achieve goals such as ending hunger Dillon Ridgley this results in a better the means of implementation and and eradicating poverty.” Sandrine outcome, one that takes into account revitalising the global partnership for ­Dixon-Declève, co-president of the important issues such as equality and sustainable development.

WRF’19 | Closing Loops 5 WRF’19 CHAIRS: 5 CONCLUSIONS TO KEEP IN MIND

Participants at WRF’19 were drawn from international, national and regional governments, business, research institutes and networks, and NGOs. After two days of discussions they came to the following conclusions.

6 WRF’19 | Closing Loops The circular Soil and land are in need of a 1 economy is 3 supporting framework an enabler for Soil is more than food and fuel: soil is a natural capital, a cornerstone for climate policy human and ecosystem health and global natural cycles. With healthy soils, we can use less land to produce more. This creates space to return land to nature. The circular economy’s potential to Soil organic carbon should be taken more into account as an important enable carbon emission reductions is parameter to assess soil health and productivity. We need incentives to make an ‘overlooked’ truth. The figures are the users of soil and land behave as stewards, by establishing a global policy clear: over half of greenhouse gas framework and by creating synergies with other policies such as biodiversity, emissions can be directly linked to agriculture, energy and climate. framework and by creating synergies with our materials footprint. We have to other policies such as biodiversity, agriculture, energy and climate. link the policy agendas on resource efficiency and climate change and break the silos by making strong connections between networks, Lifestyles have The transition institutions and policies. Monitoring 4 to change 5 to a circular of the carbon and material footprint shows the current global impact radically over the economy needs of production and consumption next decades coordinated global patterns. Circularity and low carbon should become decisive criteria in To achieve the SDGs and climate action funding and financial governance. targets, changes in consumer life- Many promising circular and low- styles need to be radical and need to carbon initiatives to achieve SDGs are start now. The recent 1.5 Degree Life- ongoing. It is a matter of scaling up Cities are styles Report shows that within the and mainstreaming, of making them pioneers of next 30 years, citizens in many indus- economically viable and competitive 2 trialised countries have to reduce with linear and fossil-based business circular change their carbon footprints by 80-90 per- models. Taking into account external cent or more, and in emerging econ- costs by giving value to natural capi- Cities are the places where the omies by 30-80 percent, to reach tal and applying environmental per- distance between production and the 1.5 degree climate target. To formance indicators are the missing consumption is small and loops change our lifestyles, we need proper links. We need the political courage to can be closed locally. The circular infrastructure, regulations, pricing, organise a systemic shift, by exploring economy can best thrive here. education. Just raising awareness the option of a UN Convention on With 60 percent of the world’s and exchanging information is not Natural Resources Management. Such population living in urban areas enough to mobilise the critical mass a framework should set a common by 2030, the challenge is to urgently that is needed to make the real sys- objective to achieve the SDGs, with rethink our cities, so as to turn them temic breakthroughs for institutional SDG 12 as the umbrella goal. It should into productive cities for the benefit change. Lifestyle changes should be contain common targets and time- of companies and citizens. Local based on both efficiency and suffi- lines on resource efficiency, to have a knowledge and local action play ciency policies. The young generation common understanding where we are a vital role. This way we can counter is protesting in the streets. They heading. It should establish a moni- the brutal consequences of our put pressure on decision-makers toring, reporting and verification linear economy where resources such to finally act. They trigger a broad system, to be able to assess where we as land and water are increasingly societal debate on our lifestyles. Of are. Digitalisation, tracers for material “extracted”. They become scarce course one size does not fit all. A just flows, symbiosis platforms etc. are resources in the hands of a few, where and inclusive transition requires a important tools in this. Last but not loss of ownership forces people to holistic approach to all the SDGs. If least, action plans at all levels (global, migrate into urban areas, putting we can imagine the future, we can national and local) should be part of unsustainable pressure on cities. create it together. the framework.

WRF’19 | Closing Loops 7 CITIES AND REGIONS AS LABORATORIES FOR CIRCULAR CHANGE

By 2030 around 60 percent of the world’s Majid Batambuze (Mayor of Jinja, Uganda) and Graham population will be living in urban deltas, Alabaster (UN Habitat) put emphasis on the ‘Southern’ perspective. They pointed out that we should also rec- where 80 percent of global GDP will be ognise the opportunities of small and medium-sized produced. This ever-expanding urbanisation cities. In Uganda, the circular economy is already com- requires innovation, creativity and new mon practice, out of necessity. The emphasis on more ways of cooperation in order to provide for informal and community-driven innovation was also dis- cussed by a panel after a showing of the documentary good living conditions with minimal impact. ‘System Reset’, which explores the story of change in Closing the loops of resource flows in urban our economy. regions is a key strategy. Cities can pioneer Organised by: OVAM (www.ovam.be), the Catholic Uni- this change. versity of Leuven (www.kuleuven.be/english) and DRIFT (www.drift.eur.nl) Keynote speaker Professor Saskia Sassen from Columbia University, argued that the circular economy can really ANTWERP, A CITY WHERE flourish in cities because nowhere else is the distance between production and consumption so small. The CIRCULARITY MATTERS seemingly informal ‘disorderly’ sphere also offers a fer- tile breeding ground for creative social innovations. But The City of Antwerp in Flanders used a major shift in thinking needs to take place. In big cities its workshop to show a number of pio- such as London and New York the real economy and neering projects and plans to boost its people’s welfare often lose out to financial and com- ambition to become a circular city and a mercial interests. Professor Sassen pointed to the role of testing ground for circularity. multinationals whose activities are often seen as devel- opment, but which are in fact causing damage to the The discussion sparked some interesting opin- local economy and requiring city and municipal author- ions: a strong circular city is only possible when ities to spend more to tackle the challenges. “There is a its residents, businesses, students and knowl- lot of unprofitable capital that can be used to produce edge institutes are included. Additionally, strate- attractive changes in our cities.” gic partnerships within the leading sectors will strengthen the ecosystem around a circular city. In a masterclass given by Professor Sassen, Belgian, Communication is key to connecting with stake- Dutch and Pakistani students concluded that downsiz- holders. It is also an important tool to promote ing consumption is essential. Furthermore, the circular co-creation across all target groups. economy should not be seen as a technical issue of reducing the use of resources but should be politicised Organised by: City of Antwerp (www.antwerpen.be) as a new model for sustainable welfare.

8 WRF’19 | Closing Loops TEMPORARY URBAN INSPIRING OVAM!

RESOURCES For years, Flanders has been setting the tone globally in closing loops and sustainable materials policy. This workshop organised by OVAM was meant to inspire others to imple- ment similar policy measures and An urban centre where temporary use is combined with to get inspiration from them at the public-private partnership, social innovation and citizens’ same time. engagement to create new spaces for more circular resource management: this is the premise of urban resource centres. Participants learned about six What makes these temporary centres successful? And what ground-breaking Flemish policy mea- challenges do initiators face? sures. Firstly, OVAM showed the significant impact on recycling rates of a landfill and Unlocking the potential of urban resources through new use of incineration ban, implemented in 1998. urban spaces As a result, by 2014 more than 70 percent of waste was being recycled and nearly The workshop on this subject highlighted risks of social exclusion and 5 kilograms of waste per person being financial losses. Most attendees agreed that the city should play an reused. Evidence from Flanders indicates important role in trying to mitigate those risks. Co-creation processes that ‘pay-as-you-throw’ schemes are an and incentives need to be put in place to make the project a success. effective policy measure. Some 20,000 producers in Flanders have joined one of Organised by: EUROCITIES (www.eurocities.eu) and the Urban Agenda its eight Extended Producer Responsibility Partnership on Circular Economy (PRO) schemes. The workshop also high- (www.ec.europa.eu/futurium/en/urban-agenda). lighted the work of Circular Flanders. This hub brings together governments, compa- nies, civil society and the knowledge com- munity. Together they have launched some From city blight to urban might ‘green deals’ including one on Circular Con- struction, in which 225 stakeholders partici- In Ostend (Flanders, Belgium) a former fishing cooperative building is pated. OVAM also talked about TOTEM (Tool being transformed into a breeding ground and lab for entrepreneurs, to Optimise the Total Environmental impact makers, social actors, arts organisations and citizens’ initiatives. The of Materials), which it launched in 2018 to initiators and stakeholders of this project are members of the local help building professionals determine the community. This project was the inspiration for the discussion on a environmental footprint of buildings. Last new temporary use project in Sijsele that is still in the works. Partici- but not least, OVAM presented the web- pants of this workshop brainstormed about possible ideas for circular site ‘circle tips’, an interactive platform for repurposing. knowledge sharing.

Organised by: OVAM and the Bond Beter Leefmilieu Organised by: OVAM (www.ovam.be) (www.bondbeterleefmilieu.be).

The UrbanWINS approach

The ‘UrbanWINS approach’ workshop focussed on material flows, waste prevention and innovative business models for a circular econ- omy in cities. It offered interactive insights on how participatory deci- sion-making can be put into practice.

Organised by: ICLEI (www.iclei.org/)

WRF’19 | Closing Loops 9 PRESERVING SOIL AND LAND

Awareness is growing that land and soil play a crucial role in our economy and in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Several sessions were dedicated to the subject. They dug deeper into solutions on how to handle and safeguard land and soil as valuable resources in closed loops, taking into account the long-term systemic impact.

Soil and land are vital yet finite that there is no European soil and resources. They are however at land management policy because risk globally from degradation and some major countries have blocked climate change. The sustainable attempts to draft such policies. She management of soil and land is fun- also pleaded for a new narrative. damental to discussions about the She said that European, national and future of water, food and energy regional policy-makers must see soil to support a growing global popu- as a living organism that is not only lation. This was illustrated by three the cornerstone of our food and keynote speakers during the global energy system, but also important to session on soil and land. Professor our health and nature’s health. Rattan Lal of the Ohio State Uni- versity focused on how to reconcile So how can we protect these valu- greater food and nutritional security able resources sustainably as we with the need to improve the envi- work on a way forward? According ronment. He spoke of major break- to the speakers we will need to fos- throughs in eco-intensifications, ter a transition to more sustainable which means producing more with and multifunctional land use and less land and less water. Professor ensure more resource-efficient land Lal also mentioned aeroponics, aer- use. Furthermore, we must change ofarms, hydroponics and aquaponics and improve soil and its governance as possible means of using less soil (e.g. foster sustainable eco-intensifi- and land. cation and restoration of soil health), and increase stakeholder partici- Hans Bruyninckx of the European pation and multidisciplinary coop- Environment Agency, explained that eration. We also need to link soil we must see our land and soil as and biodiversity protection, climate, a valuable resource. He repeatedly land-use planning, and behavioural commented that he is deeply con- sciences to increase the involvement cerned about the loss of biodiver- and uptake of land users. Lastly, it is sity in Europe. This is largely due to necessary to integrate soil and land landscape fragmentation, especially policy on a global level and in a sys- in Flanders (Belgium). “We need a temic way, taking into account the Paris agreement for biodiversity”, he driving forces. added. Claudia Olazábal of the Land Use and Management Department Organised by: OVAM (www.ovam.be) of the European Directorate-Gen- and the European Commission (www. eral for Environment, pointed out ec.europa.eu)

10 WRF’19 | Closing Loops TOWARDS STEWARDSHIP AND CIRCULAR USE FOR SUSTAINABLE LAND AND SOIL MANAGEMENT

How can we avoid the degradation of the soil, sediment COCOON LANDFILL and water systems and enhance the use of their ecosys- MANAGEMENT: FROM tem services? This central question was explored in two workshops. LANDFILL TO USEFUL

RESOURCE In the first workshop, the trusts) and new policy and speakers all agreed that we legal frameworks must be put In Europe there are over can only achieve these goals in place. 500,000 landfills. They must be by restoring degraded lands considered as dynamic stocks and soils through circular The second workshop focused of resources that can be inte- land and soil management. on circular use of land and on grated into the economy. Land stewardship was men- ‘soil inclusive’ urban planning. tioned as an interesting tool Additionally, opportunities In the workshop ‘COCOON landfill to stimulate circular land and for circular soil and sediment management: from landfill to use- soil use. This means recognis- management were mentioned. ful resource’, results of the Inter- ing our collective responsibil- It was for instance argued reg Europe Project COCOON were ity to retain the quality and that there is a need for incen- shared on mapping, good practices abundance of our land, air, tives to enhance producers and regional policy in Flanders and water and biodiversity, and to and users to reuse excavated the Netherlands for Enhanced manage this natural capital soil and sediment in a sustain- Landfill Mining. in a way that conserves all of able way. This can be achieved its social, economic and envi- by: An interactive discussion led to sev- ronmental values. Stewardship eral conclusions. Central is the con- also implies a stakeholder-in- • adopting a cascade system clusion that the landfill paradigm clusive process that brings to indicate added value and needs to change from a risk-based, together neighbours, author- induce stewardship; static view to a comprehensive, ities, farmers, climate experts long-term, multi-phased Dynamic and companies who may have • introducing CO2 taxes on Landfill Management vision. competing land claims. An raw materials, clean soil and interdisciplinary and holis- sediment; Organised by: VITO and tic approach is needed to Cleantech Flanders connect these partners and • extending the producer More information: www.interregeu- establish mutual trust. Fur- responsibility period; and rope.eu/cocoon thermore, new forms of coop- raising awareness among eration need to be established consumers. (for example community land

Organised by: Deltares (www.deltares.nl/en/), RWS (www.rijkswaterstaat.nl/english), University of Hasselt (www.uhasselt.be/en) and OVAM (www.ovam.be)

WRF’19 | Closing Loops 11 SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS AND WASTE MANAGEMENT IN A CIRCULAR ECONOMY A growing group of The global session focused in par- The discussion led to the conclusion countries have decided ticular on the import of low-quality that bans and other protectionist plastics and second-hand clothing measures taken by low- and medi- to close their borders to and the ecological and socioeco- um-income countries are not always imports of low-quality nomic impacts of these flows. Heng effective, as there is a chance that waste or second-hand Yon Kora of the Community Sani- they don’t succeed in implementing goods. This intensifies the tation and Recycling Organisation or enforcing them. The increase (CSARO) in Cambodia and Cordie in waste in low-income countries challenge for Western Aziz of Environment360 in Ghana such as Cambodia and Ghana is not countries to reduce the discussed the situation in their only caused by international mate- production of low-quality home countries. Panellists Björn rials influx, but is also linked to the waste and to find new local Appelqvist from ISWA and Carolina adoption of a Western, consump- D’Cunha from the European Com- tion-driven lifestyle. To tackle the markets for reusables and mission put these problems in a issues, measures should focus both recyclables. global and European perspective. on the demand side and the supply Peter Börkey presented the OECD’s side. work on policies for better plastics management. Organised by: OVAM (www.ovam.be)

12 WRF’19 | Closing Loops THE ‘NEW PLASTICS ECONOMY’

Consumers and businesses all over the world are becoming more and more aware of the impact of plastics on the environment. How do we keep plastics in the economy and out of our oceans? Several workshops were dedicated to the topic.

Plastics: a sustainable material need to join forces to stimulate policy-makers, academia and indus- for the future and facilitate the collection, try to network and co-create. sorting and recycling of plastics. Plastics are often depicted as a Organised by: Climate KIC (www.cli- key symbol of the linear economy. Organised by: Essenscia (www.essen- mate-kic.org) Through facts, figures and innova- cia.be) and Catalisti (www.catalisti.be) tion the organisers of the workshop on the future of plastics demon- Generation Plastics: infinite re- strated that the material has the Plastic for Lunch sources of innovation potential to be as recyclable as glass, paper or metal. Following the These conclusions were echoed The Shift invited the next genera- panel discussion, the audience and in the workshop on how to best tion to challenge established com- the presenting industrial partners address the issue of marine litter. panies and organisations such as Indaver, Jindal and Total agreed that This discussion highlighted the Suez, Sodexo and Carrefour on the the following steps should be taken: need to educate consumers and “REs”: reduction, reuse and redesign younger generations. They can of single-use plastics. • a game-changing innovation in increase public pressure on gov- recycling is crucial, and is ongo- ernmental decision-makers or key Organised by: the Shift (www.theshift. ing at R&D and pilot scale; business players. be/en)

• the collection and sorting Organised by: FSLCI e.V (www.fslci. of plastic material needs to org) and IUCN (www.iucn.org) Plastics2Chemicals improve, which requires innova- tions; In this workshop, Indaver presented E-Circular: innovations to unlock its innovative solution for ‘end-of- • there is a need to speed up and waste prevention and circularity life’ plastics that cannot be recy- scale-up but the process should cled. By 2020, Indaver plans to have not be rushed; Climate-KIC wanted participants to an operational demo-plant (with a rethink the production and con- capacity of 15,000 tonnes per year), • eco-design can tackle some recy- sumption systems for plastic and to the first of 10 facilities that will be cling issues at an earlier stage; identify digital innovations to unlock built throughout Europe. waste prevention and circularity for • circular value chain cooperation the plastics industry. Nine energising Organised by: Indaver (www.indaver. is the key to success. All actors pitches brought together start-ups, com/be-en/home/)

WRF’19 | Closing Loops 13 MAKING WASTE SMART – HOW SETTING BINDING TARGETS EPR SYSTEMS ARE CLOSING TO DIMINISH WASTE AND THE LOOP INCREASE REUSE

How can Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems across Europe help society and businesses move to a circular economy? This question was the main focus of the workshop.

The non-profit packaging and packaging waste recovery and recycling systems currently serve over In this workshop Komosie and RREUSE looked 200 million inhabitants and recycle over 20 million into the usefulness of implementing targets on tonnes of packaging per year. EPRs are also lead- material waste, energy waste and food waste. ing in innovation, with technology being crucial in solving the remaining challenges that stakeholders Experts from Komosie illustrated the benefits of working on the transition towards a truly circular imposing targets with three different cases: material economy are facing. waste, food waste and energy waste targets. The dis- cussion afterwards led to the following conclusions: During the workshop the speakers described how big data and new technologies can be used to close • binding targets are essential on every level (local, loops in waste management. Two pilot projects, the national, international) in meeting circular objec- Smart Waste Platform and Planta 4.0, were discussed. tives on food waste, energy consumption, water Both projects have resulted in a number of improve- savings and the reuse of household goods; ments: the adjustment of container shapes and sizes, more efficient collection routes, the zoning of the • a system analysis is needed to figure out the most collection area etc. efficient phase in the process to set targets. Fur- thermore, binding targets can’t be successful with- The workshop’s discussion session came to the fol- out having clearly identified who is responsible lowing conclusions: for reaching them: sanctions must also be put in place; • collecting, improving and using data for evi- dence-based decision-making has to become the • targets should be ambitious and dynamic enough new organisational culture at all levels of gov- to stimulate change and involve all the stakehold- ernment. This is necessary in order to achieve EU ers implicated in the value chain; recycling objectives; and • targets towards reaching a circular economy • EPR schemes have the potential to boost recy- should also take social impacts and job creation cling while safeguarding the supply and quality into account; of recycled materials, including plastics. Yet EPR schemes will still have to optimise all areas of the • targets may not be necessary when there are waste collection and treatment process if they are incentives (including financial incentives); and to comply with the EU’s 2030 targets. This means using cutting-edge technologies. However, not all • extended Producer Responsibility schemes should EPR organisations can invest in such technologies comply with waste prevention and prepare for because of the existence of competing schemes in reuse targets beyond recycling in order to truly some countries. contribute to a circular economy.

Organised by: EXPRA (www.expra.eu/) and Ecoembes Organised by: Komosie (www.komosie.be) and (www.ecoembes.com/en/home) RREUSE (www.rreuse.org)

14 WRF’19 | Closing Loops PACKAGING WASTE CHALLENGES

Packaging is necessary to preserve products or protect them during transportation. Yet it has come under heavy scrutiny by the public. What challenges do all stakeholders face to recycle packaging suc- cessfully and how can obstacles be overcome?

Plastic packaging waste, a 360° approach The eternal life of shrink hoods on collection Valipac presented a pilot project to keep the shrink hoods Fost Plus, the Belgian Producer Responsibility Organ- of building materials in the cycle for longer. A value chain isation (PRO), presented a new nationwide collection approach involving all actors: packers, construction con- scheme: door-to-door collection of all plastic packaging tractors, waste collectors, recyclers and manufacturers of waste using the ‘New Blue Bag’ for all plastic and metal shrink hoods, is a precondition. An interactive discussion packaging and drink cartons. The objective is clear, yet with speakers from Total, University of Antwerp, Rymo- very ambitious: offering the most extensive high-qual- plast and Oerlemans Plastics led to many new ideas to ity recycling solutions for all types of plastic packaging move the project further along. waste. Fost Plus offered a clear and realistic vision of the challenges and solutions for the design of the packaging, Organised by: Valipac (www.valipac.be) as well as for sorting, recycling and reuse. Key players in the recycling process such as Renewi, Colruyt, Van Heeden, andWellman Recycling France took part in the discussion. Glass, the End of Waste success story in Europe

Organised by: Fost Plus (www.fostplus.be/en) Ferver focused on the success of packaging glass recy- cling in Europe, related to end-of-waste criteria. Speakers compared the European approach to the North American one and drew lessons for similar results in the recycling of flat glass.

Organised by: Ferver (www.ferver.eu)

WRF’19 | Closing Loops 15 CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR CIRCULAR BUILDINGS

In Flanders (Belgium) up to 40 percent of waste can be traced back to construction. How can the construction sector in Flanders and in the rest of the world close the loop?

Stimulating new business models in the building and The importance of quality assurance and data in real estate sector closing the C&D Waste loop

The workshop showcased new business models for build- VCB showed that, even though the recycling of construc- ing products, offering a value chain perspective with new tion & demolition waste in Flanders is already over 90 insights for planners, investors, policy-makers and owners percent, it is possible to go even further. This can be done of buildings. A presentation by BC-Architects highlighted by improving quality, and increasing users’ and designers’ customer and societal demands. A panel discussion trust in these products. Quality assurance systems and revealed benefits as well as the challenges and lessons traceability organisations are important tools to guaran- learnt with regard to circular products and solutions. tee that recycled materials are free of hazardous compo- nents and technically fit-for-purpose. A database such as Organised by: German Sustainable Building Council the one developed by Tracimat Flanders, which contains (DGNB) (www.dgnb.de/en) all materials inventoried during pre-demolition audits, identifies the materials in buildings that will become available. This crucial information for producers, users and recyclers of materials is an essential first step to fur- Make and take design principles and solutions for ther enhance the circular economy. It will allow them to closed material loops in the building sector align investments in recycling capacity, based on actual figures and trends. IIn 2015, The Waste Agency of Flanders (OVAM) published a set of 23 design principles to increase the versatility, Organised by: VCB (www.vcb.be) and Tracimat adaptability and thus the circularity of buildings. This (www.tracimat.be/) workshop allowed construction professionals and expert researchers to share experiences and make an interactive assessment of these principles. Towards a strategy for a circular resource manage- Organised by: VUB (www.vub.be) and VIBE (www.vibe.be) ment system in road engineering

The workshop gave speakers from government, academia and industry the chance to consider methods, obstacles, opportunities and case studies relating to a resource recycling management system for public road works. A workshop for this newly-formed international group will take place in September 2019 in Vienna. In 2020, a fol- low-up workshop will be held at the University of Antwerp.

Organised by: University of Antwerp (www.uantwerpen.be/en/research-groups/emib/rers/)

16 WRF’19 | Closing Loops EXPLORING THE FUTURE ROLE OF PORTS IN A LOW CARBON, CIRCULAR ECONOMY The centuries-old role of ports in plans to turn their logistical hubs fostering welfare and trade now into circular hubs. The two ports enters a completely new era, have also launched pioneering proj- defined by climate change and ects on carbon capture and storage the need for sustainable added and have set up regional steam net- value alongside new forms of works. logistics. It is no longer merely about the expansion of central According to Jorge Lara from the hubs for global trade flows, but Fundación Valenciaport (Spain), about new approaches vis-à- there are several barriers to the vis their hinterland, industrial transition from ports to circu- clusters and their spatial con- lar ports. These include largely ception. So how do ports facili- untested business models, the dif- tate, catalyse and gain from the ficulty of replicating best practices implementation of low-carbon, from one port to another, a lack circular strategies in globalised of standardised regulation in the markets? This question was dis- circular economy, and funding and cussed during the global session. financial constraints for these ini- tiatives. To tackle these bottlenecks, Dries Depauw from Renewi, a LOOP-Ports was launched in 2018. waste-to-product company operat- This project aims to facilitate the ing in nine countries, argued that transition to a more circular econ- ports can become ‘circular hotspots’ omy in ports through the creation as there is expertise in logistics, of a Circular Economy Network. recycling and the chemical industry LOOP-Ports provides an innovation available. Patrick Verhoeven pre- ecosystem around port activity and sented the World Port Sustainability stimulates circular economy initia- Program (WPSP), as a facilitator tives in ports. for ports to explore this new role. Michel Leyseele and Hedda Eggeling Organised by: Port of Antwerp from the Port of Antwerp and the (www.portofantwerp.com/en) Port of Rotterdam explained their

WRF’19 | Closing Loops 17 At the end of the last conference day, participants could Her Majesty the Queen: “In order to reach the UN Sus- listen to the music of the renowned pianist and tainable Development Goals, we also need new ways of composer Jef Neve. looking at economic development, new patterns of con- sumption and circular use of natural resources.”

Participants attended a gala dinner at the The 41 workshops stimulated interaction Grand Café Horta. amongst the participants.

18 WRF’19 | Closing Loops Some of the rooms at the conference hall were inhabited Janez Potočnik (current co-chair of the UN International by prehistoric creatures. Resource Panel) was one of the keynote speakers.

The Belgian group Trashbeatz entertained the crowd During several workshops participants were asked to by playing their drum kits made out of trash. come up with possible solutions for local and/or complex problems.

WRF’19 | Closing Loops 19 MAKING DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES DRIVERS FOR CIRCULAR CHANGE

Industry 4.0 can be seen as a business and policy-makers’ per- models, by harmonising circular an important technological spective. Peter Sabbe from Recupel economy regulations and standards, driver for circular innovation. and Marc Dillen from VBC presented and by empowering consumers to good practices, including ones from adopt a sustainable lifestyle. Dis- However, the introduction of Tracimat on quality assurance, data cussions focused on the following digital technologies will fail collection and traceability in the lessons. Firstly technology and data to trigger a real transition electronics and buildings sector. don’t solve the challenges of collab- as long as systemic shifts are orating and transparency. Secondly Karl Vrancken from VITO moderated digital circular economy can deliver absent and key facts and the panel discussion. All experts economic and socio-economic figures are missing. agreed that in order for technology values. Thirdly businesses and to stimulate the transition towards organisations need to aim for In a global session on smart indus- a circular economy, a systemic shift appropriate-tech rather than high- try, experts focused on what all is necessary. This means the involve- tech because ‘smarter’ isn’t always stakeholders – policy-makers, smart ment of multiple stakeholders along smarter. Fourthly a digital circular technology developers and busi- the value chain, the arrival of innova- economy brings opportunities for nesses – can do to facilitate the tive enterprises and business models, crowd-driven actions. Fifthly bringing implementation of digital technolo- a stimulating policy environment, the benefits of transparency to the gies in order to make the transition and access to financial means. consumer has brand benefits. And to a circular economy. Introducing Public authorities play a pivotal role lastly businesses and organisations the topic, Dr. Wayne Visser from Ant- in this systemic shift. They need to must find the right balance between werp Management School mentioned formulate the right conditions and investments in ICT on the one hand, the broader context of the circu- provide a stimulating framework. and training and reorganisation on lar economy, while Helen Versluys They can also lead the change the other. from Mobius and Mirari Zaldua from through circular public procurement, Tecnalia respectively looked from by developing innovative financing Organised by: VITO (www.vito.be/en)

20 WRF’19 | Closing Loops THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF DIGITAL INNOVATIONS ON THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Several exploratory reports have hinted at the positive role that digital innovations may play in the transformation towards more circular business activities. In three workshops several recent case studies were presented that prove this theory. Digital business innovation stimulating a circular A disruptive waste collection engine economy Recupel showcased a digital auction mechanism to During the workshop the speakers showed that smart enable a currently unserved market of SMEs to dispose technology has the potential to disrupt linear business of their e-waste with minimal effort, at minimal cost and models. For instance, the installation of sensors in prod- with licensed operators. ucts can facilitate the product-as-a-service business model. Furthermore, smart technology such as sensors, Organised by: Recupel (www.recupel.be/en) installed to improve maintenance schemes, can poten- tially lead to a reduction of the environmental footprint of operations as a whole. How can knowledge on secondary raw materials be Yet key information about the impact of Industry 4.0 on improved? material consumption and environmental footprints is missing. This information could help convince manufac- This workshop presented the findings of two European turers to switch to a circular business model. According projects – the ongoing ORAMA and the completed ProSUM. to a study conducted by TNO, circularity is not yet a driv- The speakers explained how the knowledge base on the ing force for manufacturing business and organisations use of raw materials across all lifecycle stages can be in the Netherlands. It will only be the case when they improved; this will involve collaboration between multiple have a clear idea of the value proposition. An in-depth stakeholders. assessment of the impact of smart industry on material consumption and environmental footprints is expected to Organised by: TU Berlin (www.tu-berlin.de/menue/home/) take place in the Netherlands in late 2019.

Organised by: TNO (www.tno.nl/en/), VITO and Agoria (www.agoria.be)

that advise consumers and companies on how to become HOW CAN (DIGITAL) TOOLS more circular. More specifically, the tools help to measure FOSTER CIRCULAR ECONOMY circularity and connect market actors. One common ele- ment is user friendliness. Digital technology unlocks new BUSINESS PRACTICES? possibilities but will only provide functional solutions if it can be configured in easy-to-use tools. Companies and consumers are increasingly using digital tools to gather information and improve The potential for digital tools for the circular economy their circular economy impact. A workshop on is substantial. Private companies and entrepreneurs this subject showcased a range of innovative and will take the lead in developing innovative applications. well-designed digital tools that help companies and Policy-makers in turn need to foster this evolution by consumers evolve towards more circular practices. facilitating the availability and sharing of information. The aim was to identify and investigate key criteria Moreover, for platforms that aim to turn the waste of for successful circular economy tools. one company into a resource for other actors in the sup- ply chain, simplifying the procedures for transboundary Speakers from Solvay, EY, Excess Materials Exchange, Too waste shipments is crucial. good to go, and For Good presented five successful tools Organised by: EY (www.ey.com/be/en/home)

WRF’19 | Closing Loops 21 The climate challenge is not only an energy-related CIRCULAR problem. Material use has a significant impact on carbon emissions. Looking at global ECONOMY AS warming as both a material- related problem and, by extension, a problem caused ENABLER FOR by the linear economy, opens perspectives for a range of CLIMATE POLICY new solutions to combat climate change.

Research demonstrates that the transition to a circular economy and to a low-carbon economy are closely entwined challenges. Strat- egies such as circular design, reuse, repair and recycling lead to both savings in material consumption and in greenhouse gas emissions. During the global session Dr. Harry Lehmann from the German Environ- ment Agency presented key results of a study that showed that Germany could abate its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 95 percent by 2050 and lower its raw material consumption by almost 60 percent. This study addressed climate mitigation and resource efficiency on a regional and global scale in a systemic way.

Luc Goeteyn from OVAM presented three policy messages about the link between the circular economy and climate change based on work by OVAM. Firstly, policy on the circular economy and on climate change should be developed in an integrated way as 55-65 percent of greenhouse gas emissions are directly related to the management of material. Secondly, alongside traditional greenhouse gas accounting, which is based on territorial emissions, the carbon footprint of consumption needs to be taken into account. For instance, Flanders has seen a gradual

decrease in territorial CO2 emissions in the past 15 years. However, the carbon footprint of Flemish con- sumption has risen, most likely due

to the delocalisation of CO2-intensive production outside Flanders, feed- ing our growing consumption rates. 22 WRF’19 | Closing Loops Thirdly, prices for linear consumption and production goods need to be adjusted upwards (e.g. by shifting taxes from labour to material con- ELECTROMOBILITY AND THE sumption), in order for businesses and customers to choose a circular CIRCULAR ECONOMY option. Producer responsibility needs to be extended to include measures at the beginning of the chain. Dr. Paul Ekins (UNEP, UCL) stressed that economic instruments and a fiscal tax shift are crucial elements in the evolution to a circular and low-car- bon economy. Until now, only a few countries have experimented with Mobility is a key area for chy). The hierarchy considers the economic instruments. They did so in the transition towards potential socioeconomic and a very fragmented way which is not resource-efficient and cli- environmental impacts at each enough to stimulate a real transition. mate-friendly economies since level, which can then be used electric vehicles will lower to educate and coach students Dustin Benton (Green Alliance) our emissions. Yet the mining, and businesses on circular and explained that circular economy pol- transportation and process- sustainable mobility; icy would keep the UK on track to ing of materials needed to meet its carbon budgets by 2027 and produce car batteries has a • organise local hubs and net- 2032. Reductions in GHG emissions serious impact on our environ- works to reduce the overall have to take place in sectors that ment. How should we tackle need for mobility; and are very difficult to decarbonise (e.g. this predicament? construction and car manufacturing). • evaluate the potential economic Supply-side interventions like carbon In the future electric and/or and environmental benefits of capture and storage are less achiev- self-driving cars will become providing incentives for circular able in the short run. mainstream. But all experts agree businesses developing sustain- that this future is only possible able transport systems. Session moderator Dianne Dillon when it is embedded within the Ridgley asked a poignant question: circular economy. This means for The participants also had recom- we know it is possible and feasible instance that sharing cars must be mendations for businesses: to reach a circular and low carbon stimulated as well as other means economy so why is it not happening? of transportation such as public • engage in new forms of The speakers gave several possible transport, cycling or walking. Car cross-sector collaboration (e.g. explanations: a shift to a low-car- batteries also need to be designed mobility, energy, ICT); bon economy requires long-term to make less use of critical raw solutions while politics is still about materials. In addition, the technol- • localise reuse and recycle short-term goals because of the nev- ogy used in batteries needs to be options to safeguard valuable er-ending election cycles; people will standardised in order to be easily components and material; and only accept measures to stimulate a recyclable. sustainable economy and lifestyle if • enable information sharing these measures are fair, trustworthy Participants at the workshop were about components and mate- and easy to understand; and edu- asked to consider the challenges rial across supply chains (e.g. cation is very important to change surrounding electromobility. After through RFID, blockchain). people’s mindset. extensive discussion, they provided Organised by: OVAM several recommendations for poli- Organised by: Marie Curie Circular cy-makers, inter alia: European Economy Innovative To learn more about the OVAM publica- Training Network ‘Circuit’ - Leiden tion linking the circular economy and • build a mobility hierarchy (by University (www.universiteitleiden. climate change, go to https://www.ova- analogy with the waste hierar- nl/en) menglish.be/media and click on ‘Seven messages about the circular economy and climate change’

WRF’19 | Closing Loops 23 1.5-DEGREE LIFESTYLES

24 WRF’19 | Closing Loops If the world is to achieve the 1.5°C target, we need to be STIMULATING ACTION radically change our lifestyles and consumption patterns. This is one of the key messages coming from the study “1.5-Degree FOR SYSTEMIC Lifestyles: Targets and options for reducing lifestyle carbon CHANGE footprints” launched at the WRF. How can we accelerate the Researchers at the Japanese research directly emitted and those indirectly systemic change towards institute IGES, in collaboration induced from the final consumption a circular society? Two with Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, of households. Lewis Akenji: “Citizens different yet complementary launched a study which demon- in industrialised countries would strates that changes in consumption have to cut their lifestyle carbon options were discussed. patterns and dominant lifestyles are footprints by about 80-93 percent a critical and integral part of the or more within the next 30 years. There’s no such thing as waste - solutions package addressing climate Emerging economies would need to true or false? change. Lewis Akenji, Director for cut theirs by about 23-84 percent.” Sustainable Consumption and Pro- ‘Intermediary’ organisations such as duction at IGES said: “In this study Radical change value chain organisations, industry we analyse how our lifestyles can associations and chambers of com- be compatible with the 1.5°C aspira- It does not mean that individual merce can accelerate transformative tional target.” households are solely responsible for change. With systemic innovation reducing the footprints. “We need and innovative partnerships as key Lifestyle carbon footprints governments to radically rethink components of this change, partic- sustainability governance and need ipants concluded that intermediary The publication establishes the first businesses to develop new business structures can and should formulate global per-capita lifestyle carbon models to shift infrastructure, the clear demands for regulation – for footprint targets for 2030 to 2050. economic system, and to shape con- transparency, circularity and equal Lifestyle carbon footprints are cal- sumer choice and patterns.” conditions. culated by adding GHG emissions Organised by: the Union of Interna- tional Associations (www.uia.org) CIRCULAR FASHION

More than €430 billion a year is lost due to inefficient recycling Circular Procurement and Green of clothes. In a circular business model, those losses could Deals be turned into business opportunities and advantages, contributing to resource efficiency as well as growth and jobs. This workshop dived deeper into the potential of Circular Procurement Among the main conclusions of the workshop ‘making textiles circular’ was to boost innovation, steer consumer the need to improve recycling technologies in order to process the products behaviour and create markets for that will be collected to meet forthcoming obligations on separate collection. circular business models. Green Deals For this, a value chain approach is key. Attention should be given to product can help to set up experiments, fruitful lifetime extension, promotion of green purchasing among public authorities, cooperation and knowledge exchange. good and effective Extended Producer Responsibility schemes, mandatory The organisers aimed to inspire organ- recycled content and uptake of recycling and sorting technologies. Last but isations to set up their own Green Deal not least, innovation and research are crucial and therefore funding opportu- pilots using circular procurement and nities need to be made available and the right framework conditions need to to stimulate them to scale up. be created to encourage private investments. Organised by: RWS (http://www. Organised by: the European Commission (www.ec.europa.eu) rijkswaterstaat.nl/english) and OVAM (www.ovam.be) WRF’19 | Closing Loops 25 THE GLOBAL METAL FLOWS IN A CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Global trade flows can play According to Sonia Valdivia from WRF, The Gap explained that this is an issue an important role in ensuring the informal sector enables some especially when trading with smaller developing countries to reach collec- economic operators from developing that materials remain in the tion rates of 80-90 percent. Yet all countries. economy as long as possible. speakers agreed that it is both neces- This includes trades to sary and possible to improve collection Luis Tercero from the Fraunhofer Insti- recover secondary materials. rates, especially in industrialised coun- tute used copper recycling as an exam- tries. Elisabeth Smith from the Solving ple of the immense potential for recy- Such materials are not always the e-Waste Problem Initiative (StEP) cling. Egbert Lox from Umicore said collected and processed in noted the importance of international that to cover the global demand for a sustainable or inclusive guidance by multilateral organisations metals both mining and recycling are way, creating the risk of (e.g. through Conventions). needed. He urged large-scale invest- ments in new recycling technologies. low-resource efficiency and Jaco Huisman from the European sham recycling. A debate Commission’s Joint Research Centre Lastly, Close The Gap discussed the role is imminent on optimising (JRC) highlighted the role of EU level that reuse of products or leasing can these flows so that loops are policies and sound scientific data play improving circularity. However, in decision-making. Transboundary these business models face local or closed in a high quality and movements of end-of-life products (or sectoral challenges. For reuse, collec- sustainable way. waste) should align with responsible tion schemes need to be cost-efficient sourcing principles and the require- even at a very small scale. ments of international Conventions (i.e. the Basel Convention). Sonia Valdivia Oganised by: World Resources Forum (WRF) and Didier Appels from Close Association (https://www.wrforum.org/)

26 WRF’19 | Closing Loops COPPER AND THE CIRCULAR HOW TO IMPROVE HIGH-QUALITY ECONOMY RECYCLING OF E-WASTE

Demand for copper is rising. One-third of that demand is met by recycled material. But there For every tonne of electronic waste Europe is more to sustainability and responsibility recycles, 2 tonnes fall off the radar. The than recycling – there are challenges and workshop on global electronics waste focused opportunities along the value chain. on how to ensure that e-waste flows are The workshop provided perspectives from around the directed towards high-quality recyclers. globe. These were the main conclusions: Panellists debated how to reduce barriers and • to meet increasing demand in future, it will be neces- bureaucracy, decrease non-compliant recycling of sary to recycle and mine copper; copper, and tackle illegal e-waste shipments. The con- clusions are summarised as follows: • different economic models, such as a shared economy, need to be explored to meet the increasing demand • Member States implement the EU Directive on for use of copper in renewable energy and energy effi- waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) ciency applications, among others; very differently. This impedes the level playing field for the collection, shipment and high-quality treat- • incentives for collecting small electronic scrap are ment of e-waste; needed, to provide smelters with enough material to run at full capacity and to prevent material losses in • minimum quality standards for WEEE treatment the supply chain; and should be mandatory at EU level;

• the challenges and opportunities in circularity are dif- • shipping e-waste is cumbersome due to the per- ferent for developing countries and Europe. Developing mits needed. A fast-track notification procedure countries can increasingly provide primary and second- for shipping waste to pre-consented facilities ary materials with socioeconomic benefits if managed would help; and properly. Europe can promote requirements on sustain- able mining and recycling in the developing world to • e-waste collection rates are still low as individual increase the protection of people and the environment. habits prevail even if incentives exist.

Organised by: International Copper Association (https:// Organised by: Eurometaux (https://eurometaux. copperalliance.org/) eu/) - EERA (https://www.eera-set.eu/) - WEEE Forum (https://weee-forum.org/)

production during recycling. Average recycling efficiency EXTRACTING VALUE FROM SLAG rate is 98 percent. Slags can be used as a construction material, but this is increasingly seen as controlled linear UNEP and EC highlighted the need to increase landfilling. This triggers research on higher value applica- the recycling of non-ferrous metals. Closing tions such as staircases, carbonated bricks, pigments and the loop for such materials also enables the so on. Yet the regulatory framework and standardisation needs to be further developed to allow broader imple- recovery of precious metals. mentation of these recycled materials.

The growing complexity of non-ferrous-metals increases Organised by: VITO (https://vito.be/en) and Umicore the level of impurities contained and, hence, inert slag (https://www.umicore.be/en/)

WRF’19 | Closing Loops 27 BIO-ECONOMY: CIRCULAR BY NATURE! The transformation from During the global session Nelo Secondly, a huge challenge lies in the fossil-based to biobased Emerencia, director programming mobilisation of potential feedstocks. Bio-based Industries Consortium, Dr. The bioeconomy can use a large materials will be one of the Dirk Carrez, Executive Director of array of feedstock, but the road from main challenges for future the Bio-based Industries Consortium, potential to real feedstock is often generations. However, fitting and Dr. Barend Verachtert, Head of difficult. A large potential is situ- ated in Central and Eastern Europe. new organic materials in the the Agri-Food chain Unit at DG RTD gave insights on how we can realise Thirdly, regulations must be estab- current economic model, and a circular bioeconomy. First of all, be lished at European level, but also realising synergies between the successful we must look at the bio- have to offer some flexibility in order bioeconomy and the circular economy in a systemic way: building to adapt to specific situations and bridges between different bioeco- to the needs of Member States and economy is far from easy. nomy sectors is of key importance. regions. This due to specialisation of

28 WRF’19 | Closing Loops STRATEGIES FOR BIOWASTE AND BIOBASED MATERIALS

The recently adopted EU Waste Package includes the obligation for separate collection of biowaste by the 31st of December 2023. Hence, markets for recycled organic products need to be created in all Member States.

Marketing tailormade compost both prevention (small cycle) and and digestate-based products professional treatment (large cycle). This is accompanied by quality assurance and smart marketing of Speakers and participants of the compost. Demonstrating the intrinsic workshop came to the following value of circular products such as conclusions: compost and digestate is key. Calcu- lating CO -equivalents for example, • separate collection of biodegrad- 2 shows that the use of compost and able waste will improve the quality digestate can have a positive impact of compost and digestate and on climate change. VLACO’s carbon confidence in these products. footprint tool was demonstrated during the workshop. • quality assurance focusing on input, process and reasoned use Organised by: Vlaco (www.vlaco.be) of the waste is a precondition for

the use of compost and diges- tate-based products in growing media. expanding the range of Wood as a sustainable resource to compost and digestate products abate climate change will increase market potential; This workshop concluded that the • markets need tailor-made compost current mitigation effect of EU for- and digestate-based products; ests represents 13 percent of total

EU emissions ( 569 Mt CO ), with an • compost and digestate have a 2 additional potential of 442 Mt C0 by high potential to reduce green- 2 2050. On top of the measures agreed house gas emissions. upon in the Paris Agreement, there is still a gap of 500 billion tons CO Organised by: ECN (www.ecn.nl) and 2 bioeconomy clusters in specific feed- equivalent to reach the 2°C target. Vlaco (www.vlaco.be) Wood, forests and reforestation as stock and/or end products. Fourthly, multi-stakeholder participation is cru- well as the substitution potential of cial: primary sectors as well as brand wood for fossil based products (eg in owners and end consumers are strate- the building sector) are an important How to develop, implement and part of the solution. gic partners. And lastly, public author- improve a biowaste strategy ities must also be involved to de-risk Organised by: VITO (https://vito.be/en) the emerging biobased industry. These conclusions were echoed during the VLACO workshop which Organised by: Biobased Industries Con- outlined a best practice on biowaste sortium (https://biconsortium.eu/) and strategy in Flanders. Over the past Flanders’ Food (https://www.flanders- 25 years, Flanders has focused on food.com/)

WRF’19 | Closing Loops 29 CIRCULAR VISITS WRF participants had the chance to visit 7 circular sites in Antwerp and in Ghent.

BIO BASE project came into being and detailed ECLUSE AND their plans for the future. For example, EUROPE Blue Gate Antwerp will have its own INDACHLOR heating network. Going forward Blue PILOT PLANT Gate Antwerp aims to produce more In the Waasland Port of Antwerp energy than it consumes, making it a the industrial steam network Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant is an climate-neutral site by 2030. ‘ECLUSE’ will replace the fossil fuel- open access pilot & demonstration based energy supply for a number plant for bio-based products & pro- www.bluegateantwerp.eu of large-scale chemical companies cesses in the Port of Ghent. BBEPP with steam. ECLUSE is set to assists by bringing scientific research become the largest industrial steam to scalable industry relevant environ- network in Europe and will provide ment or even to (pre-) industrial scale. RECYCLING reliable and cost-efficient energy Since its establishment BBEPP served PARK IBOGEM to six chemical companies. In the over 100 customers, (mainly EU) in French port of Dunkirk, Indaver is over 200 different projects for devel- Flanders is an international top developing a very similar form of opment, scale up or pilot production. region for separate collection and industrial symbiosis. Participants recycling of waste. This visit to the who visited the Indaver waste-to- www.bbeu.org/pilotplant/expertise/ recycling park and reuse shop of energy facility heard more about Ibogem showed participants how its recycling plant IndaChlor® in separate collection and sorting of Dunkirk, which is currently under UMICORE a wide variety of household waste construction. streams is organised. HOBOKEN www.indaver.com/be-en/home www.ibogem.be At Umicore’s Hoboken plant precious metals from industrial by-products CIRCULAR and everyday items such as old mobile THE CIRCULAR phones, laptops, car catalytic convert- SOUTH ers are obtained...Participants had a CHURCHILL chance to take a virtual took of the Circular South is encouraging plant and listen to in-depth presenta- INDUSTRIAL ZONE smarter, more efficient use of tions from the environmental experts. energy, water, waste and materials Participants had the opportunity to visit through an innovative communi- https://www.umicore.be/en the Churchill Industrial Zone. The former ty-driven approach. For example, location of the Opel car factory, will the city and its residents will jointly become a hub for sustainable industrial projects in the manufacturing or process test advanced technological solu- BLUE GATE industry. Energy projects that promote tions (i.e. smart home devices, nudg- ANTWERP the use of sustainable energy in the port ing, reward systems, etc.), through cluster will also find a home there in the online and offline activities. These Petroleum South was once the very future. The site is located in an industrial trials will allow the project man- heart of the Antwerp petroleum area near the biggest integrated pet- agers to evaluate the various new industry. But this petrochemical rochemical cluster in Europe. This will solutions by measuring residents’ history left its mark on the soil. Today, make it easy to establish partnerships awareness and behavioural change. the site has been cleaned up, ready for closing loops. for a new chapter: Blue Gate Antwerp. www.antwerpenmorgen.be/projecten/ During a workshop the experts https://www.portofantwerp.com/en/ circular-south/over explained how this public-private churchill

30 WRF’19 | Closing Loops 3 DAYS, 3 DESIGN CHALLENGES TO CUT DOWN E-WASTE

Fifteen students from and WRF to invite students to tackle Design for different nationalities and three challenges during a three day bootcamp. The organisations collection educational backgrounds took 2 selected 15 student out of 1,800 can- part in the Recupel E-Loop didates, giving them the opportunity What would a perfect collection Challenge. In doing so they to showcase their talents with imme- system for electronics look like? The explored innovative solutions diate access to a worldwide network participants came up with a way to of experts. collect e-waste at a university cam- for preventing, eradicating pus. WEEE-CYCLE is a sharing plat- and recycling e-waste. Circular solutions form and online app. A points system encourages students to bring in, Electronics and digital devices help The E-Loop Challenge offered three reuse and repair their electronics. us work more efficiently in every design challenges each with a differ- area of life. But our appetite for dig- ent outcome. ital products and services is growing at breakneck speed. What feeds this appetite? Innovation of course Design for Design from — which has to keep pace with con- 1 re-use 3 recycling sumer demand. Unfortunately, the electronic waste produced is also How can we design shareable elec- How could we recycle collected keeping pace with these develop- tronics, produce them to last longer e-waste to ensure the highest possi- ments. and/or make them easier to reuse? ble value of the upcycled product? In the role of researcher working for The students developed a concept To keep our future from being inun- an electronics giant, the students in which schools are offered dis- dated by a mountain of e-waste, opted for a pay-for-use concept. carded appliances such as washing we’ve got to become pioneers and With LOOPTOP, students could rent machines. LEARN E-BLOCKS teaches experts to meet this challenge head their laptops instead of buying them. pupils how electronic appliances on. Recupel joined forces with OVAM, The laptop is also personalised based work or puts them at their disposal Circular Flanders, The Argonauts on the consumer’s behaviour. to create something new.

WRF’19 | Closing Loops 31 OVERARCHING GLOBAL REPORTING STANDARD FOR CHALLENGES SUSTAINABLE WRF’19 identified some cross-sectoral challenges when it MATERIALS AND comes to implementing a circular strategy such as knowledge gaps, stakeholder participation, the need for a coherent WASTE MANAGEMENT and strategic vision and programme, the need to develop a GRI is revising its disclosures scientific research agenda and how to monitor and report... on waste to bring waste In this chapter we give an overview of the workshops that disclosure in line with discussed these possible roadblocks. international best practice on circularity and sound management of all wastes.

The workshop ‘road tested’ the CIRCULAR EUROPE: THE FUTURE OF direction of the draft revised waste disclosures with participants and CIRCULAR ECONOMY PROGRAMMING enabled a discussion on the revised waste disclosures’ role as a powerful The European Commission’s circular economy package and standardised tool for businesses has increased the number of initiatives across Europe. But putting circularity principles into circular businesses and projects are fragmented, making practice. international synergies difficult. What can be done to There was broad support for the stimulate not only the shared economy but also the sharing direction of the key draft elements of expertise? from the waste disclosures review. Participants highlighted that readers The workshop identified challenges in optimising circular economy pro- of reports on sustainability want to: gramming across Europe. It produced the following recommendations: • know how reporting organisa- tions manage their waste-related • it is difficult to prioritise certain areas as they are all interwoven. Yet impacts and prevent waste gener- during the discussion, some participants said more attention must be ation through circularity; paid to raw materials, waste, plastics, water, food and construction and demolition; • understand the profile of waste that an organisation is handling, • funding needs to be increased for research and development in upscal- including its quality (e.g. toxicity) ing materials and production technologies related to eco-design; and its quantity (i.e., mass or vol- ume); • aside from new technologies and business models, we must also invest in behavioural change and stimulation of market demand; • know what targets an organisation sets and how, and their relevance;

• adopting circular practices is highly dependent on the degree of coop- • understand who is responsible for eration between different sectors of the value chain. Therefore, actions the waste-related decision-making that include all actors should be favoured. Partnerships between vari- process in an organisation; and ous actors, business networks and alliances must be established; and • see credible and comparable data • data quality needs to improve. This means researchers and experts ought to create more accurate data, improve unified data presentation Organised by: Global Reporting systems, share data and initiate standard reporting. Initiative (GRI) https://www.global- reporting.org/standards/work-pro- Organised by: CICERONE H2020 (http://cicerone-h2020.eu/) gram-and-standards-review/review- of-gri-waste-disclosures/

32 WRF’19 | Closing Loops BENEFITS OF RESPONSIBLE RESEARCH AND INNOVATION FOR SUCCESSFUL TRANSITIONS

Research and Innovation play a vital role in right from the beginning. In the interactive session partic- transitions at work. The better aligned with ipants were invited to share experiences of obstacles with societal needs, concerns and expectations, regards to stakeholder inclusion during the eight stages of R&I projects and discuss potential solutions applicable the more impact R&I will have. to their work contexts.

The workshop introduced the Horizon 2020 concept Organised by: Federation of German Scientists as part of ‘Responsible Research and Innovation’ (RRI), which calls the NewHoRRIzon project (Horizon 2020) (https://newhor- for the participation of all stakeholders in R&I processes rizon.eu/)

REDEFINING VALUE: THE MANUFACTURING REVOLUTION A key aspect of the circular economy is the • eliminate regulatory barriers that interfere with the move- concept of value retention and creation of ment of cores and finished products; and new value within economic production- • include VRPs as gateway activities to recycling. consumption systems. How can we stimulate the adoption of value retention processes? Additionally, the following industry priorities were formulated:

• facilitate intra-firm resource and knowledge sharing; After an introduction by Co-Chair Janez Potocnik on the role and work of the UN Environment International Resource • partner with other industry members to provide active Panel, Professor Nabil Nasr presented the Panel’s report on customer market education and awareness; value retention processes (VRPs) in the circular economy. The term “value retention processes” refers to remanufacturing, • modify design priorities to include essential VRP principles; refurbishment, repair and direct reuse. The report identified several barriers that hinder the adoption of VRPs and pro- • provide transparent and credible information to customers poses the following policy recommendations to overcome about VRPs and VRP product quality; them: • develop, ratify and enforce VRP standards and practices; • establish and enforce clear standards, guidelines, and com- pliance for each VRP; • collaborate with industry members and policy-makers to identify and communicate about key barriers; and • invest in accelerated VRP adoption via funding for R&D and skilled labour; • evaluate existing product lines to identify new opportuni- ties for VRPs. • lead by example by VRP-friendly public procurement; Jocelyn Bleriot from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation illus- • engage and educate customer markets; trated the positive impact VRPs can have on resources. Cir- cular measures can, for instance, reduce the primary steel • implement accessible and efficient end-of-use product col- required to support mobility by 70 percent. lection systems to support reverse logistics; Organised by: UN Environment International Resource Panel • adopt, accept and align VRP definitions; (https://www.resourcepanel.org/)

WRF’19 | Closing Loops 33 WRF IN NUMBERS

750 60 participants countries were represented

9 41 7 global deep dive circular sessions workshops visits

Business 1 Science & Research Governments NGO’s (from local governments to UN) Politicians & Policy Makers International Organisations

Students Journalists Participants’ background/profile Exhibitors

1 3 15 sustainable documentaries on students participating event Circular Economy in the E-loop Challenge vegan food, no goodie bags, bootcamp to tackle hotels and public transport e-waste within walking distance and

CO2 compensation.

34 WRF’19 | Closing Loops L#WRF19 n io A t f a t ip T t er L t s LThe antic he even hought

World Resources Forum WRF19 Karel Van Acker @WRFSwitzerland @WRF19Antwerp @KarelVA

Mr. President, the world is concerned with While transferring to your next workshop, I only can echo @WRFSwitzerland: thanks Climate Change and Resources Manage- be sure to grab a circular coffee from for a super organization of the #WRF19 @ ment. Happening now in Antwerp, @CirculFlanders and a WRF Journal on Pers-AtOVAM, for the many inspiring con- Belgium, at @WRF19Antwerp #WRF19 the way! #WRF19 tacts and content, and above all... for the wake up call to accelerate at all levels our efforts towards #circulareconomy in fighting@climatechange Recupel WRF19 @Recupel_be @WRF19Antwerp

15 students out of 1.800 applicants world- The @Recupel_be E-Loop Challenge has wide, are invited to the World Resources called on students from around the globe Yeshna Dindoyal @_Yeshna Forum by Recupel and Ovam to tackle to brainstorm about possible solutions to three challenges about e-waste. We are prevent, eradicate and recycle e-waste. I’m grateful to have been selected among looking forward to meet, inspire and work Check out the results during Closing with 15 students around the world to together with these young potentials! Session this afternoon! #WRF19 participate in the #worldresourcesforum #WRF19 #ewaste in Belgium. Had the chance to meet the Queen of #Belgium and discussed climate issues, ewaste and youth empowerment. Livia Formisani Dear Youth, we need you! Jan Verheyen @LiviaForm #youthpower #wrf19 @persAtOVAM “Circular” #music instruments at the BREAKING NEWS. We are very pleased, #WRF19 gala dinner with @Trashbeatz - and proud to confirm that her Majesty including a drum set made out of recycled ACR+ the Queen will attend next week’s World plastic tanks! #CircularEconomy @ACRplus Resources Forum in Antwerp. #WRF19 #sustainabilty @WRF19Antwerp Thank you to our member #OVAM for this edition of the #WRF19 with highly interest- ing and inspiring discussions and partici- pants. Thank you also to project partners Lucy Chamberlin for presenting @URBANREC_H2020 and Prof Wayne Visser @LucyChamberlin @WayneVisser #FISSAC on this occasion. Come on! Heads of Club of Rome and Looking forward to speaking at the World European Environment Agency are telling Resources Forum in #Antwerp next week us to wake up, smell the coffee and take on #digital #innovation for the #circular- radical action: as a start we need a global World Resources Forum economy #WRF19 @WRF19Antwerp carbon law to halve emissions every decade @WRFSwitzerland #WRF19 #Antwerpen #climatechange Thank you, @OVAM_Ecodesign @PersAtO- #SDGs #planetarylimits #biodiversityloss VAM for the excellent cooperation, team- work, professionalism, good laughs and friendship!

WRF’19 | Closing Loops 35 WRF’19 WOULD LIKE TO THANK COLOPHON EDITORAL COMMITTEE STEERING COMMITTEE ADVISORY COMMITTEE Lieze Cloots Jan Verheyen • Luc Allaerts (Circular Flanders) • Dr. Karel Van Acker (co-chair) Pieter Vervinckt • Lieze Cloots (OVAM) • Dr. Sonia Valdivia (co-chair) Bas de Leeuw • Christof Delatter (VVSG) • Dr. Bina Agarwal • Bas de Leeuw (WRF) • Dr. Lewis Akenji CONCEPT, COPYWRITING • Maarten Geerts (GO4CIRCLE) • Lieze Cloots AND DESIGNER Pantarein Publishing • Brigitte Mouligneau (Circular Flanders) • Christof Delatter • Fabian Ottiger (WRF) • Mieke De Schoenmakere PHOTOGRAPHY • Jessy Van Strydonck (VISIT ANTWERP) • Prof. Damien Giurco OVAM, Shutterstock, • Jan Verheyen (OVAM) • Dr. Alodia William Ishengoma A Room With A Zoo • Pieter Vervinckt (OVAM) • David Leyssens • Karl Vrancken (VITO) • Prof. ir. Bernard Mazijn RESPONSIBLE PUBLISHER • Danny Wille (OVAM) • Pieter Noens OVAM • Dr. Erik Paredis • Prof. Claudia Peña LEGAL DEPOSIT NUMBER EXHIBITORS • Prof. Markus A. Reuter D/2019/5024/14 • Circular Flanders • Prof. Mark Swilling • Dr. Veerle Vandeweerd • DEC/DEM CONTACT • Horizon 2020 • Dr. Karl Vrancken • Möbius • Dr. Patrick Wäger OVAM • NuReSys Stationsstraat 110 • OECD B-2800 MECHELEN • OVAM • Renewi +32 15 284 284 • Visit Antwerpen [email protected] • Vito • WRF Most presentations are available online.

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