This article previously appeared in the FD (Nov 2019 to Jan 2020). This was before the coronavirus outbreak. Some text excerpts are therefore not always fully relevant anymore.
Circular entrepreneurship is a growing sector, in which Almere is making great strides. It requires innovative solutions to produce as little waste and harmful emissions as possible. And if waste remains, then preferably as high-quality as possible. Almere-based organisation CIRWINN is a pioneer in this sector. Many pioneers try, CIRWINN succeeds. Erik Kijlstra (CIRWINN) talks about entrepreneurship in circularity.
" Cooperation between business and government is hugely decisive. "
Paul Born, CIRWINN
From waste to raw material
"The name CIRWINN stands for circular reclaiming. Three shareholders* joined forces to separate waste materials sustainably. We are aware of the harmful effects of waste streams on the environment and believe that raw materials are infinitely reusable. For example, we have invested in a sustainable concrete rubble separator.
Sustainable concrete does exist
Few sustainable concrete pulp separators still exist in the Netherlands. CIRWINN has the 3.0 version in Almere: one where everything comes together. This rubble separation plant, through waste technology, ensures 100% high-quality reuse in the region. Rubble is turned into a new paving stone. What's more, that becomes an apartment building. We have also invested heavily in washing concrete and other materials.
We expect to be able to wash PFAS out of sandy soil. Then you won't lose everything, but you will be below the standard. That is very interesting. Six months ago, we didn't even know that existed.
Circular entrepreneurship is about working together
The cooperation between business and government is hugely decisive. For example, we have a contract with the municipality of Almere to supply debris flows to CIRWINN. If you don't stipulate that, it is conceivable that it disappears at a low value. Under a road foundation, for example, or to another place. That's what we don't want: instead, we want high-quality reuse in the city. We ensure this with
this cooperation contract. We are also partners in the Almere Raw Materials Collective, where companies, education and government work together on circular issues.
Circular developments in the future
Soon we will build the first plastic factory in Almere. Now, a lot of material is still burnt. With this factory, the municipality will also be able to recycle plastics that are difficult to recycle. We don't do that ourselves, but with the company Save Plastics and the municipality of Almere. We provide the materials from our sorting process and facilitate space for Save Plastics. They make new products from old plastic.
* CIRWINN has three shareholders: Erik Kijlstra (Reimert Group), Ton van der Giessen (van Werven infra and recycling) and Alexander Pouw (Theo Pouw Group).