10 Amsterdam companies combating waste for a more circular city
10 July 2025
Image from John Gundlach | Flying Holland
About the circular economy in Amsterdam
Updated 12 January 2026 at 12:18
Amsterdam is widely recognised as a living lab for the circular economy. The city actively uses its neighbourhoods, public spaces, and innovation districts as test grounds for circular initiatives, all in the bid to become fully circular by 2050. But what does that entail exactly? Let’s take a deep dive into what the circular economy means to the Dutch capital.
How is Amsterdam implementing a circular economy?
Image from Maaten van Apeldoorn via Pretty Plastic
Cities consume around 75% of the world’s natural resources and produce nearly half of global carbon emissions. To tackle this, Amsterdam has adopted a circular economy model that designs out of waste, keeps materials in use for longer, and regenerates natural systems.
The city is focused on three key value chains where it can make the biggest impact: food and organic waste, textiles, and the built environment. In practice, this means supporting local repair services, encouraging reuse and recycling, building with recycled materials and piloting circular neighbourhoods that circulate resources locally.
A snapshot of Amsterdam’s circular progress:
- 18% reduction in non-renewable material use between 2016 and 2022
- Recycling rates have reached 60%, with a target of 65% by 2025
- 80% of public space materials are reused or recycled in circular neighbourhoods
- By 2025, all new buildings must use at least 20% timber or bio-based materials
- Circular jobs make up 11% of employment in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area, above the national average.
What’s the Amsterdam Circular 2020–2025 strategy?
Amsterdam was the first city to adopt the doughnut economic model in 2020. At the same time the Circular Strategy 2020–2025 was released, it sets out the city’s plan to halve its use of new raw materials by 2030 and become fully circular by 2050. This strategy prioritises actions like strengthening local food systems, reducing overconsumption, promoting second-hand and repair markets, and mandating the use of recycled or bio-based materials in new buildings.
The strategy uses the Doughnut Economics model as a framework to balance environmental limits with social needs, and progress is tracked through a dedicated Circular Economy Monitor. This hands-on, citywide approach is supported by partners like the AMS Institute, who help test and scale circular solutions through research and pilot projects.
Who are the key players in Amsterdam’s circular transition?
Image from Chanel Trapman (MUMSTER)
Image from Levis via United Repair
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Key players in Amsterdam’s circular economy include a growing wave of innovative companies. In fashion, Brightfibre pioneers sustainable textiles and recycling, LENA The Fashion Library encourages clothing rental, and United Repair Centre pairs garment repair with social impact, recently partnering with Levi’s.
In other industries, Droppie tackles waste in furniture and leather, while Pretty Plastic transforms household plastics into durable, design-led building materials. Meanwhile, food waste initiatives like Grow It Away and The Waste Transformers work to cut landfill emissions and promote local, circular food solutions. More information about combating food waste can be found here.
Setting up in Amsterdam
Are you searching for a location for your European office, or do you want to know more about your potential market in the Amsterdam Area? Amsterdam Trade & Invest is the region’s official foreign and trade investment agency. We can help local businesses expand to new markets and international businesses enjoy a soft landing in the Amsterdam Area, including arranging fact-finding visits and providing market intelligence. Get in touch with a member of the team.
