Analysis of the "green" Rutte III coalition agreement: The circular economy is left out with the rubbish
Making a serious effort to achieve the desired transition from the current linear economy to a circular economy requires substantial exertion from our government. However, Recycling Netwerk cannot draw any hope whatsoever from the measures announced in the supposedly green coalition agreement. Robbert van Duin, chairman of Recycling Netwerk: “The coalition agreement shrugs it off with […]
Taking serious action on the desired transition from the current linear economy to a circular economy requires substantial effort from our government. However, Recycling Netwerk cannot draw any hope from the measures announced in the so-called green coalition agreement.
Robbert van Duin, chairman of Recycling Netwerk: "The coalition agreement brushes it off with a few bullet points in the section 'The Netherlands becomes sustainable'. Circular economy has been saved for the very last two bullet points out of a total of 136 points in the sustainability section. And there is little to be cheerful about there: the existing agreements are being met, but the focus is mainly on communication and so-called 'bottlenecks' in the existing regulations."
Furthermore, Recycling Netwerk notes that the coalition agreement brings little to nothing in the way of innovation in the field of waste and recycling. Robbert van Duin: "As far as waste is concerned, we only read something about higher taxes on incineration and landfill. The approach to sewage sludge and biomass power plants justifies that. Every Dutch citizen is going to pay three euros more per year."
Finally, Recycling Netwerk finds it depressing that in the allocation of the 49% CO2 reduction target (in 2030), 1 Mton is indeed budgeted for recycling in the Industry sector, but the gains that could be made in the "Consumers" sector have been completely ignored.
Robbert van Duin: "In our 'Saving Materials' study, the Copernicus Institute of Utrecht University calculated that recycling consumer waste alone could reduce emissions by twice as much. And that is not even taking into account the reductions possible through changes in consumption itself. Furthermore, the closing paragraph on the living environment should, of course, also have contained something about tackling litter, deposit return schemes, and the plastic soup."
Robbert van Duin
Chairman Recycling Netwerk
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