Circularity
Circularity: transforming the current model
Circularity is an essential pillar of a future-proof sustainability strategy. In a world where raw materials are becoming increasingly scarce and pressure on supply chains is mounting, circularity offers a powerful solution — not as an abstract concept, but as a concrete path to impact. At 2BHonest, we help organizations turn their circular ambitions into tangible results — strategic, measurable, and widely supported. We do this by focusing on the following themes:
Circular economy: one pillar, four themes
Circularity: from linear to circular
The current economy is “linear,” based on a“take-make-use-dispose” model: we take raw materials, make products, use them, and throw them away. On top of that, demand for raw materials is increasing, causing reserves to be depleted and become scarce. The problem is clear: this linear economy is unsustainable — the environmental impact is enormous, and we’re running out of resources. This is already happening in our generation, but the needs of future generations are certainly at stake. As are those of the Earth. Geopolitical dependencies and other developments on the world stage are therefore forcing us to think more deeply: how and where do we source raw materials? How do we use them? And how can we reuse them in the future?
Commitment to Sustainable Development
So something needs to be done, and here’s what: a transition to a circular economy, in which we extend the life cycle of raw materials, materials, and products. The Dutch government has also embraced this transition and drawn up an ambitious vision with clear goals:
The European Union is also stepping up the pressure to take action — from legislation on packaging to strategic agendas concerning critical raw materials that dominate global news every day.
Making Progress
To achieve this, we need to take significant steps. Because although the Netherlands is currently viewed as a global leader (fantastic!), only 24.5% of its current national raw material use is circular. And that’s not enough yet. This percentage needs to increase significantly, and businesses in particular play a key role in this by thinking and acting in a circular way.
Projects
We’ve already helped many companies and organizations get started, and we’re proud of that. For example, read about how we supported Royal Swinkels Family Brewers — one of the largest breweries in the Netherlands — with the integration and implementation of circular and sustainable business practices. Or how we conducted research for SSI on the key role of shipping in the circular economy. Or how we developed the CIOR — the Circularity Index for Public Space — for the City of Tilburg, which integrates circular procurement, management, and processing into the city’s approach to managing public spaces.
