The municipality of Apeldoorn is taking a new step in circularity. After a successful trial period, it has officially started using the online tool Duspot. On this platform, leftover materials from public spaces from all over the Netherlands are offered for reuse, helping Apeldoorn and other municipalities become more circular.

In public space projects (ground, road and hydraulic engineering), many materials are used, but also many old materials are thrown away. From the Public Space Chain (Management and Maintenance, Spatial Design and Realisation and Environmental Policy departments), a trial for working with Duspot was conducted in recent months. On this online 'marketplace', leftover building materials are offered and requested by, for example, property developers, contractors and municipalities.

On Duspot, work planners, neighbourhood managers and site managers can view the supply of materials and offer materials themselves. Similar to regular online Marketplaces, they place a kind of advertisement with the type of material, its quality and quantity.

As per 1 December, Duspot and the Municipality of Apeldoorn signed an official contract for two years. Michiel Bruins, head of the Management and Maintenance department: "We have noticed that projects often leave over material that can be put to very good use. Duspot helps us make optimal use of available materials, either within the municipality or outside. It works great, especially at a time when materials are scarce and costs are skyrocketing."

The use of Duspot is partly funded by European grants from the CityLoops project, which includes the circular renovation of the Griffiersveld street (de Maten). Within the CityLoops project, knowledge and experiences in the field of circularity are shared with other European cities.

For more information, contact Adriaan Hellemans: a.hellemans@apeldoorn.nl or Inge Smolders: i.smolders@apeldoorn.nl