Caroline and Jeroen show how Zeeland is moving from linear to circular thinking. Waste is revalued as a residual stream, demolition becomes harvesting, and a bio-boiler demonstrates how old crafts and new applications reinforce each other. They emphasize the need for regulatory space to experiment and the power of collaboration between education, entrepreneurs, and government at the Kenniswerf. The Kenniswerf serves as a break area and an innovative testbed where initiatives become visible and where students learn through curiosity and practice. The conversation concludes with the thought that “Ons bin Zunig” (We are thrifty) takes on new meaning: being thrifty with materials and thinking future-oriented.

This special episode is being released during Circular Economy Week 2026, the national action week where organizations throughout the Netherlands showcase what circular work looks like in practice. From March 19th to 27th, innovators, companies, educational institutions, and government bodies will open their doors to demonstrate how they are managing resources more intelligently, reusing products, and developing new circular solutions.

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