We unavoidably generate waste, simply by existing.
Dutch and Belgian waste management companies process millions of tons of waste annually. Some is recyclable, but nowhere near all of it. Each year, 9.7 million tons of waste get incinerated in the Netherlands and Belgium. As ‘zero waste’ and circularity are currently hot in waste management circles, this may come as a surprise.
The truth is, however much we wish it, zero waste cannot be achieved overnight. Waste exists. In enormous amounts. Still, waste management has come a long way since the 1980s (and before). Municipalities and companies separate their waste much more effectively than before, recycling has become more common and all kinds of new technologies exist to convert waste into new resources. However, large-scale innovation still hasn’t occurred, partly due to the waste treatment world being so complex and opaque.
To truly make progress, we must be willing to open up about the challenges we face in our industry. We need to identify and investigate our dilemmas and have all links in the chain collaborate on exploring new solutions.
This platform invites everyone in the waste management chain to open up about waste; manufacturers, retailers and waste treatment companies, but also municipalities and researchers. Take the pledge, gain inspiration and contribute to a more sustainable future. Together, we can reduce waste, encourage recycling and slow down resource depletion.
They, too, are Open About Waste:
They, too, are Open About Waste:
The initiators
Open About Waste is an initiative by Ortessa, a group of five enterprising waste treatment companies: Van Kaathoven, Valor, veyzle, Lammertyn.net and Rondo. While we each have our own specialties, we share a clear, common goal: we wish to be open about waste. That certainly doesn’t mean we’re all-knowing. Still, we’re gaining knowledge step by step, day by day. And we’d like to invite everyone to join us. Together, we know more and can do much more than alone.
