Circular transition: the Rotterdam blueprint
In a world where resources are limited, moving from the traditional linear "take, use, dispose" economy to a circular one is essential. We have to reduce waste, save resources, lower our carbon footprint and keep value in our system. Cities play a key role in making this change happen, and Rotterdam is leading the way. Here, businesses, government, innovators, research institutes and locals work together to design, develop and deliver new solutions for our circular future, connecting circularity with the important energy transition and the raw materials transition. For the benefit of our cities, societies and ultimately, for the planet. The goal? By 2030, circularity will be the way of life, with a fully circular economy within reach by 2050.
Check these inspiring circular stories from Rotterdam
A circular hub and role model city, housing innovative start-ups, including one that is revolutionising the production and recyling of solar panels. A scale-up company aiming to close the plastic loop, recycling and reusing household plastics. A hospital greening its IC, aiming to ban single use plastics from its operations... Check these inspiring inspirational videos about circularity hubs, entrepreneurs and projects in Rotterdam!
Magazine Circularity in Rotterdam
If the videos have peaked your interest, this magazine answers many question of how Rotterdam intends to make the transition from a linear to a circular economy. For example, how is the port dealing with sustainability and circularity? What role do BlueCity and RDM play in this? What is Erasmus MC up to? In other words: how do we together make our city better, more beautiful, healthier, smarter and fairer on the way to a sustainable future? Every single one of these inspiring stories encourages reflection.
Other cross-sectoral showcases
Rotterdam is innovating its way to a circular economy, here you can find circularity projects, initiatives and collaborations across industries. From upgrading construction practices to tackling food waste and progressively using renewable fuels in the port area, Many exciting initiatives, supported by municipal and regional levels, represent progress in the journey toward a sustainable future, check out some of them below. Click the images to open the videos.
BlueCity: circular hub and role model
If you say ‘circularity’ in Rotterdam, you say BlueCity, where waste streams are repurposed as valuable resources. Output of one enterprise serves as input for another. This hub addresses environmental challenges and fosters a vibrant community of entrepreneurs.
Circularity in construction: SAWA
Constructed primarily from wood and designed to store CO2, SAWA represents a groundbreaking approach to circularity and affordability in housing. Anticipated for completion mid 2025, SAWA will contribute to the city’s larger vision for a greener, more sustainable future.
Transfarmation: Floating Farm
An innovative example of circularity and sustainability, Floating Farm paves the way to a future where cities produce fresh food in a transparent and environmentally conscious manner. This shows how urban landscapes can also be hubs of sustainable food production.
Stadshaven Brewery: circularity in a bottle
Cheers with circular beer! This brewery offers boasts state-of-the-art technology ensuring every sip of beer is not delicious and sustainable. Patrons the unique experience of enjoying a circularly brewed beer while watching cargo ships pass by.
Week of the Circular Economy
From 17 - 22 March 2025, the Netherlands was headlining the Week of the Circular Economy. As the hub for circular entrepreneurship in South Holland, BlueCity organised a powerful and relevant program, showing what is happening in the field of circular economy in our region - and what is yet to be done.
"Rotterdam is a great place to settle when you have circular ambitions. Especially as a start-up or a scale-up, because it's a great place to pilot."
Circularity in the port
Rotterdam’s circular initiatives are deeply intertwined with its bustling port and industrial areas, where the demand for energy and resources is immense and residual waste is generated. Within the Rotterdam Makers District, circular companies like Royal 3D are leading the transition.
The city’s circularity efforts in the port cluster are aligned with regional policies, focusing on chemical recycling, large-scale waste processing, and biofuels. Collaborating with regional partners, the Port of Rotterdam Authority is pioneering new circular value chains, such as chemical plastics recycling and battery reuse, creating a plethora of opportunities for businesses to innovate and connect. Some notable projects include investments by Neste for a biofuel production facility, SK tes opening a plant to recycle electric vehicle batteries, plastic recycler Xycle raising millions for their flagship recycling facility in Rotterdam's port area, and local initiative Buurman Rotterdam for local material reuse of construction and building materials. In this dynamic landscape, Rotterdam is forging ahead as a global leader in circular innovation. More on Rotterdam’s energy transition here. If you are looking for more information about Rotterdam Maritime Capital of Europe, check their website.
Governmental programs and subsidies
Rotterdam’s circular ambitions are embodied in the municipal Program Rotterdam Circular, under the motto ‘Van Zooi naar Mooi’, which translates to ‘From Trash to Treasure’ Rotterdam Circular challenges residents, companies and the municipality to think about how Rotterdam can reuse, reduce or recycle waste. Circular initiatives are supported by municipal and regional subsidies. They also align with both the Circular Action Plan of the EU’s Green Deal and the Dutch national program Netherlands Circular in 2050. This cohesive approach highlights Rotterdam’s dedication to sustainable urban development and establishes it as a frontrunner in the global circular economy movement.
Hubs, Hotspots, Projects & Collaborations
Innovation runs deep in Rotterdam’s DNA. Our region is home to many passionate entrepreneurs, collaborating and working on circular solutions that help shape a sustainable future in various hubs and projects:
Byewaste: repurposing and recycling waste materials and items collected from citizens’ no longer use from their homes for free and giving these item a second life through a network of sustainable partners.
Studio Roosegaarde: combining artistry with sustainability in various projects including the Smog Free Project, purifying the air and even creating a lasting souvenir in the Smogfree Ring.
Fleetcleaner: revolutionizing waste management in maritime environments with robotic hull cleaning technology, repurposing collected waste materials and paving the way for a circular approach to marine conservation.
Superuse Studio’s: presenting creativity in recycling, breathing new life into discarded windmill blades in the form of playgrounds and exploring novel applications like noise cancelers along highways.
Hotel Neutraal: Rotterdam hotels collaborating with partners, taking steps towards a cleaner, more sustainable, circular and better future together.
Rotterdam Maritime Capital of Europe: the maritime industry is uniquely positioned to play a leading role in the circular transition, with Rotterdam at the forefront. There are plenty of opportunities for circular start-ups and scale-ups in this sector.
"What makes Rotterdam an international model city is its unbridled perseverance to always make the city better."
More about circular Rotterdam
Rotterdam Circular website (Dutch)
Rotterdam Circular means: a more sustainable producer, more conscious purchasing and better disposal of things.
City of Energy Transition
Rotterdam is a hub where many energy transition innovations originate and from where they find their way across the world.
Circular Economy Week: 17-22 March 2025
The largest national inspiration and networking event for and by circular entrepreneurs.BlueCity: pushing the circular transition in Rotterdam
Article. We recently revisited BlueCity to speak with co-founder and CEO Sabine Biesheuvel about achievements, local developments and the road ahead.
