Circular Economy Week

From January 14 to 18, it is Circular Economy Week. ProRail is of course participating with, among other things, a session on circularity at the Infratech trade fair and the #duurzameleiders working conference.

Infratech
This week ProRail is a guest at Rijkswaterstaat's stand at Infratech 2019 (January 15-18), the most important trade fair for and by the Dutch infrastructure sector. Clients, contractors, engineering firms and suppliers in the fields of water, road and rail construction will show why the Dutch infrastructure sector has been among the world's best for many years.

# endurance conductors
On Wednesday afternoon, January 16, ProRail and Rijkswaterstaat are organizing the #ustainability Leaders working conference. Here, employees of ProRail, Rijkswaterstaat and their stakeholders will be presented with a varied program and workshops on circular economy. Scientist Jacqueline Cramer talks about her experiences with transitions; from light bulb to energy-saving bulb and from old concrete to green concrete. Workshops by Tessie Hartjes, board member of Lightyear, and Hans Stegeman, head of Research and Investment strategy at Triodos Bank, among others, will then address topics that are essential for setting up a circular economy.

ProRail Circular Design Challenge
Wednesday afternoon, January 16, will also see the presentation of the ProRail Circular Design Challenge during the #duurzameleiders working conference. The goal of the ProRail Circular Design Challenge is a useful, second life for used rail materials. For this challenge, we were looking for innovative designs that (re)use as much old railroad material as possible in new products or applications. The designers have previously gained inspiration and submitted their ideas.

Launching Customer Day
As clients in the infrastructure sector and market players with circular innovations, we need to act together to achieve our national goals. On Thursday, January 17, we will show what ProRail and other parties are doing to fulfill their role as Launching Customer. We will give frontrunners the opportunity to pitch their innovations and make concrete agreements on pilots and projects for 2019.

Client Forum
Finally, on Friday, January 18, at Infratech, our Director of Projects, Ans Rietstra, will debate with Marleen Hermans, Professor of Public Contracting in Construction at TU Delft. Ans is doing this from her role as co-chair of the clients' forum. Circular construction is one of the themes of this year's commissioning forum.

Circular all year round
Of course, we're not just being circular this week. For example, we already did a pilot for a waste-free construction site. In it we investigated how waste can be prevented in a project and how materials can be used again in a good way. We will also be looking at how we can maximize circular procurement for the 'Western access Amersfoort' project, for new counters and for the construction of the new Greater Rotterdam Traffic Control Center. And we are reusing old station furniture.