North Holland Circular

In line with the European Green Deal, the Dutch Province of North Holland recognises the importance of transitioning to a competitive circular economy and striving for it. Located in the northern part of the Netherlands, the province of North Holland is adjacent to South Holland, Utrecht and the provinces of Friesland. It is currently the second most populous province in the Netherlands, after South Holland, with a population of 2,607,000. However, the rising population growth and how Dutch society produces, consumes, and then often destroys raw materials is depleting significant resources and territories. This has major environmental consequences. Not only that, but the entire economic system will halt if action is not taken. Therefore, in 2017, the province of North Holland and 180 other parties agreed that the Netherlands would be fully circular by 2050. The agreement sets the ambition: North Holland will be converted entirely to a circular economy by 2050, and by 2030, there will be a 50% reduction in primary raw materials. The plan foresaw the development of intelligent strategies and policies to increase the reuse of resources within company conglomerates and consequently decrease the demand for virgin raw materials, while saving energy and generating new types of jobs.