Municipality of Heerlen saves €1 million a year through smart reuse of materials.
The municipality of Heerlen is going to save one million euros each year. This is stated in the new budget. The savings will come from a new way of working: smartly reusing materials from municipal buildings, roads and other projects. This is also called circular materials management.
Casper Gelderblom, Alderman environment and circularity: ''Circular material management is not only good for the environment, but also for the municipal coffers. Heerlen is showing that it can be done.'' With this approach, Heerlen is a frontrunner: the first in Limburg and one of the first municipalities nationwide.
From waste to raw material
What first seemed like demolition waste is now proving valuable. By previewing what materials will be released, what condition they are in and when they will be available, the municipality can reuse them or sell them through a circular marketplace. In this way, demolition turns from a cost into a source of value.
Material flows
The demolition itself still costs money. That's not what this approach is about. The profit is in what happens after demolition. By properly mapping out the material flows in advance, Heerlen can limit the costs of dismantling, transport and storage.
Cautiously estimated
The annual savings of one million euros is deliberately still calculated conservatively. Studies of public spaces and over 170 municipal buildings show that the actual value can be much higher. The municipality chooses to build this up step by step.
More grip and security
The approach also provides greater certainty. Until now, reuse of materials often depended on chance. As a result, the market was unpredictable. With this new approach, the municipality can plan and prepare projects better.
Future-oriented and sustainable
The municipality needs to purchase fewer new materials and is less vulnerable to price increases and shortages. The approach also contributes to climate goals. Thus Heerlen shows that working circularly is good for the planet as well as for the wallet.
Collaboration and innovation
Where demolition used to be the end point, in Heerlen it is now a starting point. Dismantling, storage and transport are now part of a smart system. The new approach was developed together with the Meaconomy Foundation and the Brightlands Smart Services Campus.