A Dutch coalition of brands from across industries including apparel has urged the government to take immediate action to accelerate the circular economy in the Netherlands and suggested a six-point action plan.
- The call follows the alarming Integral Circular Economy Report (ICER) of the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, which shows that the Netherlands is stagnating in reducing the use of raw materials.
On the initiative of MVO Nederland, the companies, with a combined annual turnover of ten billion euros, have joined forces to get the stalled transition going.
- The companies—Ikea, Bol, Zeeman, Strukton, Auping, Renewi, Avantium, Boer Group, Modiform and LC Packaging—which are at the forefront of reuse, repair and recycling, argue that political decisiveness is now essential.
- For two decades, circular activity has been stuck at just 4–5% of GDP. This impasse costs the Netherlands crucial opportunities for economic growth, strategic independence and environmental protection.
SIX BREAKTHROUGH MEASURES: The coalition presents six concrete action points:
- Stop the ultra fast fashion invasion - Introduce legislation against platforms like Shein and Temu that flood the market with disposable clothing
- Government as a driver - Make circular procurement mandatory in all government tenders
- Double down on investment – Reverse planned cuts to double circular economy resources
- Tax incentives - Reduce VAT on repairs, eliminate double VAT on second-hand items and reward the use of recyclate.
- Encourage high-quality recycling - Tighten sorting obligations and make incineration more expensive than recycling
- Accelerating innovation - Create public-private investment funds and experimentation space for circular breakthroughs.
ABOUT MVO Nederland or CSR Netherlands: CSR Netherlands claims to be Europe's largest sustainable business network. It believes that for a sustainable economy, the current system needs to be changed. It encourages and supports companies to contribute to this. It also urges the government to make sustainable enterprise the standard.
WHAT THEY SAID:
A strong, circular Dutch business community is within reach, but requires new economic rules that make circular products affordable and accessible to all Dutch people. The ball is now in the cabinet's court. Only through targeted measures can we strengthen our future earning capacity and achieve a truly circular economy.
— Ankie van Wersch
Director
MVO Nederland
