Co-creating the Circular Economy
Circular Solutions advises companies, governments and knowledge institutes on how to accelerate the transition to a sustainable society. We have specific expertise on biobased products, recycling and upcycling agri/food waste, plastics and rubbers. In addition, we advise on how to co-create circular value chains and public-private partnerships. Moreover, we train your staff to effectively communicate these to your customers.
Why Circular
What is this circular economy everyone talks about?
circular transition
Learn more about Ellen MacArthur's model.
the experts
Meet our team - and see how how we can help yours!
3 shifts can scale the circular economy – triggering a more resilient, prosperous system
By Martin SnijderFebruary 18, 2021
It’s time to leave behind current wasteful and polluting models to usher in growth-based business models and innovative regenerative strategies. Scaling circular economy efforts globally will mean triggering strategic shifts across sectors. Approximately $57 billion of global electronic waste is generated every year. Additionally, food loss and waste accounts for $950 billion in lost value – a […]
Governments across Southeast Asia accelerate renewable energy investment
By Martin SnijderJanuary 22, 2021
ASEAN energy ministers agreed to set a target of 23% share of renewable energy in total primary energy supply in the region and 35% in ASEAN installed power capacity by 2025. This would require approximately 35GW-40GW of renewable energy capacity to be added by 2025. Solar PV and hydropower are expected to support the majority […]
Microplastics left in water are more easily absorbed by mouse cells
By Martin SnijderDecember 10, 2020
Of mice and men … Microplastic particles that are exposed to fresh water or saltwater for several weeks are more likely to be absorbed by mouse cells growing in the laboratory, suggesting that environmental microplastics may be able to enter cells more easily than we thought. Studies investigating the potential effects of ingested microplastics in animals often […]
Trade barriers are slowing plastic-pollution action. Here’s how to fix this.
By Martin SnijderAugust 2, 2020
Cross-border frictions prevent economies of scale in tackling plastic pollution. Trade facilitation can help increase the “three Rs” – reduce, re-use and recycle. Governments and firms must collaborate to scale the circular economy at a global level. Action on plastic pollution has been slowed considerably during the COVID-19 pandemic – but there’s a new emerging […]
Car tyres are major source of ocean microplastics
By Martin SnijderJuly 14, 2020
Microplastic pollution from car tyres could be(come) an even bigger problem than single-use plastics. Today, The Guardian wrote about a recent research, published in the journal Nature Communications, about car tyres being the major source of ocean microplastics“More than 200,000 tonnes of tiny plastic particles are blown from roads into the oceans every year, according to […]
5 inventions that could transform the health of our ocean
By Martin SnijderJune 3, 2020
The ocean is estimated to contain at least 86 million tonnes of plastic waste, as well as chemical and other pollutants. Fishing debris turned into sunglasses and deep sea robots collecting pollution data are some of the innovations that could help clean up our seas. Sustainability is high on leaders’ agenda as nations and businesses […]
Could COVID-19 mark a ‘turning point’ in the climate crisis?
By Martin SnijderMay 8, 2020
Massive programmes of green public investment would be the most cost-effective way both to revive virus-hit economies and strike a decisive blow against climate change, top U.S. and British economists said in a study published on Tuesday. With co-authors including Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz from Columbia University and prominent British climate expert Lord Nicholas Stern, […]
How to build back better after COVID-19
By Martin SnijderApril 5, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic is a global emergency, bringing devastation to millions around the world, impacting lives and jobs, and grinding much of the global economy to a halt. It’s a crisis that has shown our vulnerability and confirmed our under-estimation of the probability and exponential nature of systemic risks. It calls on all of us […]
A new Circular Economy Action Plan for Europe
By Martin SnijderMarch 12, 2020
The European Commission has adopted a new Circular Economy Action Plan – one of the main blocks of the European Green Deal, Europe’s new agenda for sustainable growth. Building on the work done since 2015, the new Plan focuses on the design and production for a circular economy, with the aim to ensure that the resources used are […]
How venture capital can help stem the flow of ocean plastic waste
By Martin SnijderFebruary 9, 2020
Economic growth has exacerbated the plastic waste problem – but it contains the solution too. Targeted investment can bridge the finance gap hampering Asia’s waste sector. Investment in just five countries could reduce plastic ocean flows by 45%. Asia’s exponential growth has made it into a powerful economic force, but it also has placed the […]
EU’s Green Deal to Guide the Globe
By Martin SnijderJanuary 15, 2020
Will Europe become the world’s first climate neutral continent? It might, now that the EC’s proposed Green Deal been been backed by the European Parliament and by the European Council? Almost the entire European legislation is being turned around to make Europe the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050. The package of measures that European […]
Nature’s Comment on Climate Tipping Points — too risky to bet against
By Martin SnijderDecember 10, 2019
Politicians, economists and even some natural scientists have tended to assume that tipping points in the Earth system — such as the loss of the Amazon rainforest or the West Antarctic ice sheet — are of low probability and little understood. Yet evidence is mounting that these events could be more likely than was thought, […]
A Radical Plan to End Plastic Waste
By Martin SnijderNovember 3, 2019
Awesome call to action – watch this video till the end. “Plastic is an incredible substance for the economy — and the worst substance possible for the environment”, says entrepreneur Andrew Forrest. In a conversation meant to spark debate, Forrest and head of TED Chris Anderson discuss an ambitious plan to get the world’s biggest […]
What to do with all that marine plastic waste (after having cleaned up the oceans)?
By Martin SnijderSeptember 18, 2019
Could we talk about the elephant in the room (or the elephant in Boyan’s boat for that matter)? Assuming The Ocean Cleanup succeeds in its mission and if we disregard the question if the plastic waste should be collected near-coast instead of at deep sea, the real question remains: how is the plastic waste further […]
Forgotten litter – how cigarette butts could kill plants
By Martin SnijderJuly 21, 2019
Throwing away the cigarette filter in nature after finishing smoking. In some cultures it seems like a normal daily practice. For many an unconscious act, or considered harmless: it’s made from biobased materials so it can be littered without harming the environtment, right? Wrong. Research results, recently published in the journal Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, […]
Plastic litter- and waste management crisis clearly explained
By Martin SnijderJune 25, 2019
The plastic litter- and waste management crisis is clearly explained in this infographic by The Guardian. Solutions are being developed to clean the oceans from plastics, such as the OceanCleanup Project, but these are corrective solutions – if it will function at all. And even then, it can only cleanup (a part of) the plastics […]
Council of the EU has approved new rules on single–use plastics to reduce marine litter
By Martin SnijderMay 21, 2019
The Council of the EU has approved new rules on single–use plastics to reduce marine litter. Not only does this tackle global plastic litter problems at grass-roots level, moreover, it paves the way to transitioning into a circular economy. Critics might argue that this is just a small step, which directly affects the population of […]
Oxo Plastics are NOT Biodegradable
By Martin SnijderMay 19, 2019
Despite its name, “Oxo-degradable”, these kind of plastics are NOT biodegradable. They are, in fact, destructive to the environment and should be banned. Other plastics can be a part of the solution within the circular economy, f.I. when from biobased origin or because of its biodegradable functionality. Oil-based plastics also fit within circular design, provided […]
Stop drinking bottled water if your tap is a healthy provider
By Martin SnijderApril 28, 2019
Cassandra’s no-brainer. If we care about plastic waste, why won’t we stop drinking bottled water? Before buying your next bottled water please consider the following facts first: Most of the bottled water you buy is just glorified tap water. There are a few brands whose water really comes from springs and mountain streams, but most […]
EC delivers on Circular Economy Action Plan
By Martin SnijderMarch 4, 2019
European Commission – Press release Brussels, 4 March 2019 All 54 actions under the plan launched in 2015 have now been delivered or are being implemented. This will contribute to boost Europe’s competitiveness, modernise its economy and industry to create jobs, protect the environment and generate sustainable growth. The European Commission today published a comprehensive […]
UK worst offender in Europe for electronic waste exports
By Martin SnijderFebruary 7, 2019
“Electronic waste is deemed a hazardous waste by the EU due to toxic parts containing substances such as mercury, lead and flame retardants. Exports of this type of waste to non-OECD and non-EU countries are illegal under EU law.” https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/feb/07/uk-worst-offender-in-europe-for-electronic-waste-exports-report It goes without saying that exporting criminals must be hit hard under national law of […]
Fighting Climate Change the Dutch Way
By Martin SnijderOctober 18, 2018
In a joint initiative, stakeholders around/within the construction value chain have signed a covenant for climate-adaptive building. The coalition consists of, among others, construction companies, municipalities, the province of South-Holland, water boards, social organizations, financiers and project developers. Through the development of new design principles and standards, stimulation of innovations and more trial locations, the […]
Urgenda wins historic climate case in Hague Court of Appeal
By Martin SnijderOctober 9, 2018
The court in The Hague has upheld a historic legal order on the Dutch government to accelerate carbon emissions cuts, a day after the world’s climate scientists warned that time was running out to avoid dangerous warming. The case inspires citizens from other countries to hold their governments accountable, by starting/continuing similar lawsuits. Urgenda’s Press […]
China-EU agreement paves way for global adoption of circular economy
By Martin SnijderJuly 17, 2018
“China and the EU have signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding on Circular Economy Cooperation at the 20th EU-China Summit taking place in the Chinese capital on 16th-17th July. Both stand to gain from aligning on policies that support the transition to a circular economy, which can unlock new sources of economic growth and innovation […]