AMS Academy for Professional Education is the learning environment and community of AMS Institute, where professionals get support in their urban innovation projects to help them become leaders in sustainable and innovative urban development.
Why 'Reuse, unless'?
The City of Amsterdam has set an ambitious target to reduce the use of new materials by 50% by the year 2030. Achieving this target requires significant reductions in material consumption—an estimated 1.1 million tons less material needs to be used annually starting from 2020. Additionally, the city must double the pace of its efforts to reduce CO2 emissions to meet the goals set for 2030.
The Netherlands' infrastructure sector emissions are hefty: around 3.5% of the nation's total emissions. Surprisingly, over two-thirds of these emissions come from roads and pavements alone. And these figures don't even include energy consumption or demolition of infrastructure assets, meaning the actual environmental impact could be even higher. The case for circularity in the sector is self-evident.
Mark van den Putte, Program Manager at the IngenieursBureau (Engineering Department) at the City of Amsterdam, sought to change the linear approach to asset management. Collaborating with AMS Institute's Joppe van Driel to devise a training program, the idea of 'Reuse, unless' was born. 'Reuse, unless' aims to encourage asset managers in the Engineering Department to make the right choices, thereby making their projects more circular. Reuse rather than recycling or buying new, for example. The key message: in order to achieve the city's goals, a paradigm shift is needed—reuse must become the default approach unless absolutely impossible.
“Introducing circularity at this level requires a change of mindset and culture. Most asset managers understand the theory behind reuse and circularity, but the barriers are in entrenched processes and attitudes.”
Mark van den Putte, Program Manager at the IngenieursBureau.
Some possible circular scenarios for paving projects.
How was the training delivered?
The training focused specifically on the potential of reuse in pavement materials, which significantly contribute to material-related emissions. It was structured into four modules, each addressing a critical aspect of circularity:
- Circular understanding and why reuse is best: This module laid the foundation for understanding circularity, emphasizing why reuse outperforms recycling regarding environmental impact and long-term sustainability.
- First steps in circular mindset and circle of influence: Participants were introduced to practical strategies for adopting a circular mindset and were encouraged to identify their own spheres of influence, which they could leverage to initiate circular practices.
- Finding internal and external partners: Collaboration was a central theme of the training. This module provided guidance on finding and engaging both internal colleagues and external stakeholders who could support circular initiatives.
- Creating circular businesses and actionable projects: The final module focused on moving from theory to practice, with input from TU Delft's Daan Schraven and Quirien Reijtenbagh. Participants were tasked with developing concrete projects that could be implemented within their own spheres of influence, designed to make circularity a reality in their work.
What next?
The training is just the beginning. The hope is that asset managers will take what they've learned and start integrating circularity into their everyday operations, influencing the city's infrastructure projects from the planning phase to execution. The material from the training has been developed into a booklet and a website so asset managers can continue learning.
