Transition to a Sustainable Circular Plastics Economy in The Netherlands: Discourse and Policy Analysis

Abstract

The circular economy (CE) has become a key sustainability discourse in the last decade. The Netherlands seeks to become fully circular by 2050 and the EU has set ambitious circularity targets in its CE Action Plan of 2015. The plastics sector, in particular, has gained a lot of attention as it is a priority area of both the EU and Dutch CE policies. However, there has been little research on the different and often contested discourses, governance processes and policy mechanisms guiding the transition to a circular economy and society. This paper aims to fill these gaps by asking what circular discourses and policies are being promoted in the Netherlands and what sustainability implications and recommendations can be drawn from it. It does so through a mix of media analysis, policy analysis, semi-structured interviews, and surveys using Q-methodology. Results indicate a dominance of technocentric imaginaries, and a general lack of discussion on holistic, and transformative visions, which integrate the full social, political, and ecological implication of a circular future. To address those challenges, this research brings key policy insights and recommendations which can help both academics and practitioners better understand and implement the transition towards a sustainable circular plastics economy.

Knowns and unknowns of plastic waste flows in the Netherlands

“…As well as enforcing the regulations above (and following other suggestions outlined in the report, UTS, 2020 ), we recommend to (1) increase domestic (and EU) recycling capacities, while reducing waste sent to incineration and landfills ( van Veldhoven Van der Meer, 2021 , Wijngaard et al, 2020 ); (2) prohibit untraced export of European waste outside the EU (as also suggested by Friant et al, 2022 ) or to any country with ‘inadequate waste management’ (i.e. more than 20%; Law et al, 2020 ); (3) link efforts to an already existing successful policy, such as the Extended Producer Responsibility, where plastic product producers could pay for and ensure proper waste management both within and outside the country of purchase.…”

“…Furthermore, determining which items (made of mixed plastics) or which types of virgin plastics should no longer be produced since they are not actually recycled would be valuable, especially those currently labelled as recyclable. Having reports on this non-recyclable content in waste streams can be used as leverage to change policies, for example to tax virgin fossil-based plastic and reduce taxes on recycled plastics ( Friant et al, 2022 ).…”

What does it take to close the loop? Lessons from a successful citrus waste valorisation business

“…In recent years, the circular economy concept has featured prominently in many high-level policy documents in the Netherlands. This enthusiasm for it trickles down into Dutch society in several ways including the media (Calisto Friant et al, 2022;Russell et al, 2020), higher education curricula (Kirchherr and Piscicelli, 2019;Kopnina, 2018), as well as subsidies for businesses and seed funds for start-ups (van Langen and Passaro, 2021). This was an important external factor that enabled PeelPioneers to publicise and grow their business.…”

Without a Debate on Sufficiency, a Circular Plastics Economy will Remain an Illusion

“…When it comes to responsibility, it is also important to note that we make things too easy for ourselves if we reduce the plastic problem mainly to plastic waste leaked into the environment in the Global South. This is because a portion of plastic waste from Europe is exported to the Global South, where it ends up polluting the environment [ 54 ], but also exacerbates human health problems related to unsafe recovery systems, thus causing key social and environmental justice concerns [ 55 ]. Moreover, “there should be humility and greater responsibility taken for past and present mistakes” on the part of the Global North, including for the production and the manufacturing of demand for unsustainable and avoidable plastic products (Alice Mah, Warwick University at the Tutzing Symposion ).…”

“…This will lead to unavoidable costs and benefits. Therefore, social components are essential to equitably distribute these costs and benefits within society (e.g., through progressive taxation and social policies) [ 55 ].…”