Dear writers of election programs in the Green Heart!
In March 2026, we will go to the polls to elect our municipal representatives. It is precisely at the local level that politicians can make a difference, including for the circular society.
The Western lifestyle has a great impact on the earth. Resources are consumed and many materials are not reused. The Netherlands has committed to the goal of having a circular economy by 2050. The road to it is not fixed, but time is moving forward. In the Green Heart, governments, entrepreneurs and education are working together to achieve this. Within Green Heart Circular we are working through an action program on various topics: circular procurement, reusing waste, making production chains more sustainable, etc.
In order to take a new step in the next administration period, we have prepared suggestions for your election program in the form of a short pamphlet: Pamphlet municipal elections 2026. This also increases the chance that it will be included in coalition agreements and that colleges will start working on it. Below is a more detailed explanation.
Sincerely,
Jacques Rozendaal
Alderman for Economy Woerden
Chairman Green Heart Circular
Voters want independence from foreign resources
In a world where resources are increasingly scarce and politically sensitive, local independence is a strategic necessity. By focusing on reuse, sharing and repair, bio-based materials and circular production, we make our society healthier, more independent and resilient. We strengthen the earning capacity of farmers and businesses nearby.
Suggestions election programs
Below are suggestions for municipal election programs. Investing in a circular society is not only good for people and the environment, but also for jobs, security of supply, inclusiveness and the local economy.
- Make circular economy the guiding principle in your policy
The current crises require actions now and in the coming years. In the Green Heart, connections are short and people are decisive. We ask you to stimulate and implement the transition to a circular economy with conviction by applying this as a guiding principle in your policy. In addition to a clear and integral vision, we call on you to make this concrete by including ‘circular’ as a condition in the provision of subsidies, in procurement processes and in licensing. In addition, we call for the creation of a circular strategy for the use of raw materials, water and land. - Resource sharing
The “ICER 2025” (Integral Circular Economy Report by PBL) shows that the biggest impact a municipality can make relates to materials in outdoor space. It concerns materials for the design of public space. Think of benches, bridges, stones, pipes, etc. It is quite possible to (re)use what is already there. This saves money and new materials. Why get rid of what is still good? - Realize regional circular craft centers and repair
“Broken today, repaired tomorrow. This can become a reality if we energetically realize circular craft centers – including repair services. Not every municipality needs to set up the same concept: work together regionally and coordinate expertise and efforts. Support local initiatives such as Repair Cafés and thrift stores. - The future of construction is circular; demountable, sustainable, healthy and largely biobased.
Build and insulate with natural materials, if possible from crops from the region.
The realization of a sustainable building sector in the Green Heart requires a new way of designing, renovating and building that can be realized through chain collaborations and new revenue models. In this, governments and housing corporations play an important role as clients to activate the entire building chain to build circularly. The cultivation of bio-based materials can also make an interesting contribution to the transition of agriculture in terms of CO2 sequestration, improved soil quality and new earning models.
Drive this development. Provide the right starting points in policy, support farmers who want to grow fiber crops. As a municipality, set a good example in its own real estate and make agreements with housing corporations. Make homeowners aware of the opportunities and advantages, support them with good advice and campaign. Pay attention to people with small budgets who too often have unaffordable energy bills. - The residual stream for one company is the raw material for another.
SMEs in the Green Heart want to make steps towards more circular products and earning models. Because of their physical size and collectivity, there is much potential within (SMEs on) industrial estates: by sharing energy and materials, for example, more cycles can be closed and local chains formed. That is why we advocate a strong strategy towards business parks, where demands are made not only on existing companies (parks), but also on future ones: which (existing) companies fit into a circular future of the Green Heart and which companies do we want to recruit to connect the chains.
In addition, help individual entrepreneurs to innovate, offer support with subsidies, access to networks, space for circular pioneers and ensure cooperation on business parks. Circular production requires more space for disassembly, storage, etc.. Therefore, create sufficient physical space for circular businesses and thus strengthen the local economy and community resilience. - Circular procurement and tendering
Use money effectively in its own procurement and tendering processes and also as an accelerator for innovation and sustainability. Think office chairs and pavers, bridges, landscaping and renovation of schools and other social real estate. Invest in the reuse of bridges, sustainable (bio-enriched) asphalt, bio-based building materials and green, biodiverse neighborhoods. For example, the municipality is a first-time customer for local companies with innovative products, we prevent carbon emissions, enable building under nitrogen standards and build a resilient economy for the future. This requires, both politically and administratively, a firm focus, clear ambitions and monitoring of realization, a coherent approach and, in some cases, a renewed look at laws and regulations. - Circular Education
We advocate for circular thinking and practice in every education, more connection between talent and organizations in the Green Heart, and propagating this inside and outside the region. Municipalities can encourage this with policies. With all the educational institutions involved, we can put this down and thereby firmly distinguish ourselves as a region. This offers opportunities: we attract more talent, give young people the chance to develop in a future-proof way and connect them to organizations in the Green Heart. SMEs fully welcome this development.
Who are we?
The Green Heart Circular Platform is a network of professionals (about 800 members public-private). We are building a region that uses resources smartly and sustainably, from production and procurement to use, reuse and repair. This will preserve the value of raw materials and prevent resource scarcity. Employment, biodiversity and a healthy environment are logical consequences. Together we make a circular society possible.
Projects we are working on can be found in our Action Plans (QR code) and progress is visually depicted.
We wish you much success in writing your party’s election manifesto. Any questions, suggestions, know where to find us! info@groenehartcirculair.nl