The first step: an analysis of the flow of raw materials
How and where do I begin with a circular economy? All members of the Circular Friesland Association have asked themselves that question at some point. And that’s a good thing. Because it was this important question that led seven companies to take the first step towards closing the loop. These companies, alongside the Province of Friesland and the Municipality of Leeuwarden, commissioned an analysis of the flow of (raw) materials in Fryslân – the province where each winter brings hope for an Elfstedentocht(Eleven Cities Tour) on ice. A province with bustling cities, picturesque villages and stunning nature.
Circular opportunities and promising cycles
Which raw materials enter and leave Fryslân? What adds energy to our province and where do we allow energy to be lost? These questions were pondered extensively, examined critically and mapped clearly by Metabolic and Urgenda, who combined the data – sometimes confronting, often promising – into an essential document.
The presentation of this report, including the analysis of material flows, inspired some hundred entrepreneurs, knowledge institutions, (social) organizations and governments with countless circular possibilities, Frisian opportunities and promising cycles. This event in early 2016 marked the birth of the Circular Friesland Association, founded by 25 different companies and organizations: a major step forward towards a circular Friesland.
It is unique to have so many organizations in one province committed to and working together on the circular economy. In Friesland, we don’t hesitate to put our plans in to actions.
John Vernooij, chairman of the Circular Friesland en & director of Omrin
Accelerate your circular ambitions
Our members are our heroes
What or who is Circular Friesland? you might wonder. We areour members. And our members are the heroes of the circular economy in our province. They are courageous enough to convert habits into circular ambitions and to connect with other companies, governments, knowledge institutions and (social) organizations. They do this by being honest about their motives and interests. By working together. By taking the leap. And by inspiring others to take circular steps as well. Or, as we like to say: by just doing it.
Circular experts
As much as we need our members, we also need catalyzers, our theme specialists who act as a driving force for the circular economy. They discuss and work on sustainability and circularity with our members and other organizations. They identify bottlenecks, link supply and demand, are aware of sometimes rather complicated laws and regulations and able to give just the necessary push in the right direction.
Our theme specialists make an effort to help you discover and formulate your circular ambitions and brainstorm with you about how your organization can contribute to a better world. Every single one of them is a real doer, an expert in the field of circularity within his or her theme and capable of realizing added value to your organization.
Circular Friesland is an active and enthusiastic association that’s always open to new members. Any organization willing to participate and invest time can benefit from our extensive network. With loads of energy and optimism, we help speed up the transition towards a circular economy and explore cross-sectoral opportunities. We do all this in order to achieve our ultimate goal: an economy thriving with new activity, in which both people and nature are able to flourish.
Obstacles and challenges
We embrace challenges and actively look for the ‘tipping points’ that help us further towards a circular economy. Sure, the path towards our goal is not devoid of obstacles. But we face those head on and simply keep going, because we are determined to make our province the most circular region in 2025 and set an example for the next generation.
To be fair: our mission is at times more difficult than expected. Occasionally, we have no other choice but to accept that a plan or an idea fails, no matter how much we wanted it to succeed and no matter how much work we put into it. The transition towards a circular economy is complex. You solve one problem and the next one arises. But that’s okay. Because we know how to work together in Friesland. So we move on, continuously surprising ourselves and the broader community with creative, workable solutions that fit the economy of the future.
Taking steps together
Our members and theme specialists make it easier to ‘just’ start taking steps towards a circular economy. Sometimes these are big steps, often small ones. But each and every one is equally important. Because the combination of all those steps in the right direction is what makes the difference in the end. And every step, no matter how small, deserves to be celebrated with Frisian pride.
We trekken gezamenlijk op richting de circulaire economie en vervangen onderweg oude gewoonten door andere, innovatieve werkwijzen die passen bij de economie van de toekomst. Zo wordt onze regio steeds duurzamer en bouwen we aan een nieuwe, volhoudbare wereld. Geen circulair idee is ons te gek. Zolang het maar bijdraagt aan ons ideaal: een 100% circulair Fryslân, volop werkgelegenheid en bloeiende, toekomstbestendige bedrijven en organisaties.
Will you join us?
Board members
- Chairman: John Vernooij, director of Omrin
- Treasurer: Jelmer Algra, chairman of the board of Rabobank Leeuwarden-Noordwest Friesland
- Secretary: Anja Kanters, director of Donkergroen
- Board member: Alex Bonnema, director of Caparis
- Board member: Diane Keizer-Mastenbroek, Board of Directors Van Hall Larenstein