The Netherlands Offers Lessons for Australia’s Circular Economy Transition

The transition to a circular economy requires more than just technical solutions — it demands vision, collaboration, and long-term thinking. This is the key takeaway from recent research by Dr. Diane Zandee RC (Nyenrode Business Universiteit) and Roelof Vogel (Monash University, Australia). Their joint study compares the Netherlands’ experience with waste management to Australia’s current approach, where the circular economy is still in its early stages.

Over the past decades, the Netherlands has made remarkable progress: moving from waste incineration and landfilling toward conserving resources and creating value through reuse. According to the study, three factors were crucial to this success: strong public-private collaborations, effective leadership, and a shared long-term goal.

Australia now finds itself at the beginning of a similar transition. The government is currently investing heavily in incineration capacity to reduce landfill use and prevent environmental damage. While this is a logical interim step, Zandee and Vogel warn of potential unintended consequences: “Excessive incineration capacity could reduce the incentive to truly embrace circular thinking and practice.”

For Nyenrode, this research is a powerful example of how academic work can drive positive societal impact. As a B Corp-certified university with a strong sustainability ambition, Nyenrode is committed to contributing to transitions that balance economic and ecological value. The university’s core values — Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Stewardship — perfectly align with this international collaboration with the business sector. Zandee explains, “We believe leadership and entrepreneurship are essential to accelerating the shift toward a circular economy — with an eye on the future and a sense of responsibility for the world around us.”

Want to learn more? Follow Nyenrode Business Universiteit and Monash University for updates on this research and the transition toward a circular economy, or read the research report:  Zandee Vogel 2025 Balancing Act of Waste Management in a Circular Economy context