On 19 March, the EWUU alliance hosted a Lunch & Learn session exploring the role of public procurement in driving the transition to a circular society. Three speakers from academia and practice shared insights into how public purchasing power can accelerate circular solutions — and what stands in the way.

Did you miss the session? Watch the recording here:

After the introduction, Janssen addressed the legal dimension of circular procurement. While EU procurement directives have evolved to leave more room for sustainability criteria, persistent obstacles remain — from requirements to evaluate all bids equally, which can clash with the inherent uncertainty of circular products, to contract duration limits that discourage long-term circular investment. With EU rules currently under revision, he stressed, now is the time to push for change.

Ruben Nicolas (Utrecht University, Utrecht School of Economics) made the economic case for circular procurement. With public spending accounting for a significant share of the Dutch economy, its environmental footprint is proportionally large. Nicolas explained how circular solutions often struggle to compete on upfront cost, even when they offer clear life cycle advantages. Public procurement, he argued, can act as a powerful accelerator — helping circular innovations gain traction and become cost-competitive. His key message: we focus too much on inventing new solutions and too little on mainstreaming what already exists.

Sara Rademaker (Unie van Waterschappen) brought hands-on experience from the Municipality of Utrecht and other public organisations. She shared practical tools for defining and monitoring circular procurement, discussed the strengths and limitations of the environmental cost indicator (MKI), and emphasised the importance of behavioural change within organisations. Her example of Utrecht’s materials depot — where reclaimed pavement elements are stored for reuse — showed how a simple, tangible intervention can shift mindsets across an entire organisation.

The session closed with speakers offering concise advice: use more award criteria rather than hard requirements, recognise the outsized impact public procurement professionals can have, and don’t wait for the law. There are more possibilities within current rules than many assume.