Apeldoorn (The Netherlands)

Apeldoorn collects over 56,000 tonnes of household waste yearly, around 38% of which is bio-waste. The city knows where its biomass comes from; within CityLoops, the municipality aimed to further investigate how to process and/or collect biomass and introduce new processing methods and business models that enable the upcycling of biomass. Its demonstration actions focused on bokashi, biochar, fibre-based products from grass and 3D printing of Japanese knotweed In the coming. CityLoops also gave Apeldoorn a better understanding of circular construction. The demonstration actions related to the circular renovation of a residential street in the Griffiersveld neighbourhood helped the municipality to implement circularity in design and procurement processes. Apeldoorn is now facilitating multiple material depots, using asset management software, such as a project passport, and has adopted an online matching application. More information about Apeldoorn's results in CityLoops can be found in their demonstration reports below as well as their urban circularity assessment.

Further publications

Construction and Demolition Waste

Demonstration action 1: Circular design and reconstruction of Griffiersveld street

Overview

3000 m² of pavement, sidewalks, green space, and parking space along the residential Griffersveld street in the De Maten district have been redesigned and reconstructed in a circular way.

Implementation

Materials were scanned prior to demolition to identify quantity and quality, with information stored in a material databank
Opportunities were identified for reusing and/or transforming the materials for use within construction site or elsewhere in the city
Materials have been stored in a new material depot and also marketed in an online construction materials marketplace
Citizens were informed and involved in the project through the use of the Openstad online platform

Relevant instruments

Bio-waste

Demonstration action 1: Bokashi production from leaves

Overview

Bokashi is a process in which (in this case) leaves from the districts of Apeldoorn are collected, processed and returned to municipal green spaces, as a soil improver Bokashi is a soil improver, high in nutrients, which has a positive effect on soil quality, moisture management, carbon storage and plant growth.

Implementation

After the collection of leaves, regenerative microorganisms and stone granules are added
The leaf mixture is then placed in a pile, compressed to remove air and covered with agricultural plastic for at least 6 weeks of anaerobic treatment

Relevant instruments

Demonstration action 2: Biochar production

Overview

Where the Bokashi process is most suited for leaves, biochar can be made from prunings, grass and plants such as Japanese knotweed. Biochar can be an alternative raw material for products in the agricultural, wastewater, health and cosmetics industries. In this demonstration the focus is on the use of biochar produced from bio-waste as a soil improver.

Implementation

Biochar is a promising product for improving the quality of the soil and for storing CO₂ within the biochar
The pyrolysis process used to produce biochar will destroy the seeds present in the biowaste and therefore prevent unwanted seed dispersal
Biochar produced from different bio-waste streams has been investigated and tested in different locations around Apeldoorn

Relevant instruments

Demonstration action 3: Production of fibre-based products

Overview

The bio-waste from public spaces in Apeldoorn was used in the production of fibre-based products e.g. paper, board or products produced from paper and board. In this demonstration, the municipality of Apeldoorn worked together with interested entrepreneurs to create small-scale production. Apeldoorn also served as a launching customer.

Implementation

Paper products containing bio-waste have been produced at the Middelste Molen (a paper museum and oldest paper Mill in the Netherlands) located in Apeldoorn, or on a larger scale in a paper mill
Board materials were produced using bio-based binders provided that the quality of the bio-waste is sufficient

Relevant instruments

Demonstration action 4: 3D printing with organic fibre

Overview

3D-printed objects and injection moulded products can be made from composite material consisting of fibres and a matrix material e.g. bioplastics. Bio-waste was used as filler or fibre in composite materials. Fibres from virgin wood and fibre crops (hemp/miscanthus) are currently used in these composite materials. The replacement of fibres from virgin wood and fibre crops by fibres from biowaste results in a reduction in CO₂ emissions, water and land use.

Implementation

Combining bio-waste fibres with a PLA matrix resulted in an industrial compostable product
The municipality of Apeldoorn worked together with interested entrepreneurs to produce final products
The municipality produced ornamental objects and street furniture

Relevant instruments

Apeldoorn (The Netherlands)

Further publications

Construction and Demolition Waste

Bio-waste

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