Local Governments as a driver for the Circular Economy
Local Governments have an important role to play in the transition towards sustainable, circular societies, both as brokers, as partners and on their own behalf.
The association Local Government Denmark, representing all 98 local governments in Denmark, recently published a catalogue of inspiration with recommendations and examples on, how local governments can integrate Circular Economy into their practices.
The recommendations cover 4 areas:
- Strategy, Planning and Supply
- Business development
- Procurement and tenders
- Building and construction
An example from the part in the catalogue related to Building and Construction says:
“The Local Government can promote recycling of building materials from its own buildings, renovations, and demolitions. By doing so, you can stimulate the market for recycled building materials. Data on buildings that are due for demolition can also be made available and thereby facilitate the transition of parts and materials from one building to the next. Moreover, the local government can request reuse and recycling, prepare district plans and set up environmental requirements to integrate circularity into a sustainable city development”.
(Own translation from the report prepared by KL “Den cirkulære kommune” (= The Circular Local Government), May 2017. KL means Kommunernes Landsforening, which translates into Association of Local Governments)
