You think your plastic waste is useless? Not according to our experts! Two weeks ago, we had the pleasure of welcoming a group of experts in the field of circular design in our workshop. It was the first meet-up in the series of events on our research project “van Plestik, your own plastic“. Missed out on the event? Read all about it on our website.
During Demoday #28, we focused on one of the key challenges in the circular transition: how can we make the Port of Amsterdam fully circular?
The Amsterdam port is one of the largest in Europe. It functions as a major energy hub, where fossil fuels still play a central role, and as an industrial hub, where massive flows of raw materials pass through. The City of Amsterdam has set the ambitious goal of becoming fully circular by 2050. This means the port must transform as well. This is a complex and far-reaching task that requires collaboration and innovation.
In this work session, we zoomed in on circular design: how can we make products and processes circular from start to finish?
James Hallworth, Commercial Manager at Port of Amsterdam, opened the session by taking the group on a tour through the world of the port. Located in the western harbour area, the port has two main responsibilities. First, it ensures the smooth and safe handling of all maritime traffic on behalf of the City of Amsterdam. Second, it manages and develops the land and industrial areas around the harbour.
To tackle circularity, Port of Amsterdam applies industrial ecosystem thinking. In nature, waste does not exist, and the same principle should apply here. The port aims to build collaborative networks between companies, where waste flows from one company becomes raw materials for another. There is already significant activity around recycling and recovery, but more can be done in higher-value strategies on the R-ladder, such as repurposing, remanufacturing, and refurbishment. Circular by design is a key concept in this shift.
The port is transitioning from measuring success in tons to measuring added value. This shift also means thinking differently about space: circular systems require space to receive, process, and recover valuable materials from waste streams.
Creating a fully circular production process is easier said than done. That’s why we worked through two real-world cases: construction materials and e-bikes. Participants split into groups and explored what a truly circular production process might look like. We also explored the potential role the port could play as an enabler of circular supply chains.
Some key takeaways from the session:
• Material passports: A digital document containing material properties and origin can greatly simplify recycling and reuse.
• Monomaterials: Products made from a single type of material are much easier to separate and recycle at the end of life.
• Smart synergies: Mapping which companies can use each other’s waste flows as input can unlock huge circular potential.
• Financial incentives: Right now, circular processes are often more expensive than linear ones. Smart financial mechanisms could help bridge that gap.
• E-bike challenges: In the case of e-bikes, batteries were flagged as a challenge. Recycling them is still very difficult, and since they are mostly produced outside of Europe, it’s hard to have control over the production process.
This session invited participants to take a step back and view products through a circular lens. The port has the potential to become a key player in the circular transition, but to get there, it will need ideas, insights, and input from across the network.
<strong>Do you have ideas on how the Port of Amsterdam can become more circular? Or would you like to contribute to future sessions? Get in touch with Noor at noor@amsterdaminchange.com. A big thank you to James Hallworth from Port of Amsterdam for bringing this challenge to the network, and Yanti Slaats (Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences) for moderating the session.</strong>
Do you work on innovative new ideas and are in for a project where talented students develop digital prototypes of websites aiming for Change? Do you want work with students from the most innovative datascience programme of the University of Amsterdam? Please reach out to me and drop me an email at: s.a.hansen@uva.nl or call me.
Students Computational Social Science are tasked with designing a website aimed at driving behavioral change in the contexts of climate change, surveillance, renewable energy, Circular economy or health. The project involves iterative prototyping and testing phases, which include conducting focus groups and experiments to refine users’ experience and impact.
The final deliverables include:
Students will also prepare and deliver a presentation of the study’s major findings to the partner, stakeholders, and their peers.
In 16 weeks from a challenge and idea into a prototype.
The only commitment we ask is your time, for at least 1 hour a week.
Please let us know if you have interesting project ideas!
greetings, Suzanne Hansen, head of partnerships Computational Social Science
M: 06- 482 72 193 | s.a.hansen@uva.nl
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De opleiding Computational Social Science, is een innovatieve datascience opleiding van de UvA gericht op de publieke sector. Onze internationale en gepassioneerde studenten werken 2x per jaar, in februari en september in teams aan digitale producten zoals websites, data analyses, infographics en meer.
Wat wij zoeken zijn ambitieuze opdrachtgevers en innovators, die 1 uur per week willen investeren en boeiende challenges kunnen aandragen gericht op gedragsverandering en systeemverandering.
Bel gerust als je meer informatie wilt. Mijn nummer is 06- 482 72 193 en mail is s.a.hansen@uva.nl
Onze studenten werken op de Roeterseiland campus in Adam Oost, waar we voor onze partners ook een fijne werkplek kunnen bieden op de momenten dat zij online of fysiek studenten coachen en inspireren.
🔔 Het Innovation Dinners seizoen is weer van start! 🔔
Op woensdag 16 oktober is de aftrap van ons nieuwe seizoen! Dan organiseren Bouwlab en 3D Makers Zone vanuit het programma van EDIH weer de bekende Innovation Dinners.
We gaan verder met het inspirerende thema waar we gebleven waren: <strong>Materialen</strong>.
Deze keer verwelkomen we twee experts die hun visie delen over de toekomst van klimaatneutrale materialen en innovatieve bouwtechnieken:
<strong>Jan Willem Slijkoord</strong>, entrepreneur in klimaatneutrale materialen en moleculaire recycling van plastics, deelt zijn visie op het oplossen van het verpakkingsafvalprobleem. Wat is het échte probleem, en hoe kunnen we composieten recyclen en ontmantelen?
<strong>Eric Geboers</strong>, oprichter van <strong>Concr3de</strong>, vertelt over hun revolutionaire technieken voor het 3D-printen van steen en hout. Geen houtgranulaat, maar een volledig nieuwe methode met veelbelovende resultaten!
📅 <strong>Wanneer</strong>: Woensdag 16 oktober, 17:30 - 20:00
📍 <strong>Waar</strong>: 3dmz / Bouwlab, Oudeweg 91-95, Haarlem
🎟️ <strong>Deelname</strong>: Kosteloos
Schrijf je nu in via https://bouwlab.com/innovation-dinner-materialen/ of mail sem@bouwlab.com bij vragen.
We kijken ernaar uit om je te verwelkomen! 🙌
