Vlaanderen Circulair
Circular Ports is part of Circular Flanders. Ports play a crucial role in the transition to a circular economy, and therefore were granted a dedicated unit within Circular Flanders. They are the hubs par excellence for the import and export of materials, but at the same time also for industrial clusters, waste processing companies and logistics areas where materials are processed and stored.
Building the circular ports community together, on the great foundations of the work of circular doers in the field.
Our aim is to inspire and connect stakeholders and practitioners internationally, tackle bottlenecks and create opportunities through policy advice and support circular economy research that benefits our Flemish ports.
Doing the doable. In the true Circular Flanders’ spirit, we encourage people to not wait for the ideal conditions to present themselves. Yet, look for smaller opportunities and what is feasible, start acting and learn along the way. Find like-minded partners and join forces. It is the cumulation of all these actions that will fuel the transition to a circular economy.
From ideas to impact
We offer a database of concrete cases in ports across Flanders and Europe, putting circularity into practice. For those looking for more in-depth information, we have a vast library offering reports, academic papers and webinar recordings.
We want to bring together circular doers linked to the port ecosystem, sharing experiences and learning together. Industrial symbiosis and collaboration are important strategies to move towards circularity, especially in the port area. Subscribe to our newsletter and keep an eye on our LinkedIn page.
We support circularity research about ports. In 2024, a unique VUB research chair on Circular Port Monitoring was launched, funded by Flanders’ seaports Port of Antwerp Bruges, North Sea Port, Port Oostende and Circular Flanders. It is the first initiative globally, to develop and test circularity indicators for ports.
That same year, Circular Flanders also contributed to adding a circular economy chapter to the standard handbook Port Economics, Management and Policy.
Circular Ports wants to address hurdles practitioners face to move forward with their circular activities, as well as create and share opportunities. Circular Flanders is member of the core team for implementation of the Flemish Port strategy and seizes opportunities to offer policy advice at the various levels of government.
Contact our Circular Flanders partner VLAIO.
As a successor to Plan C (2006-2012, 2012-2016) and the Flemish Materials Program (2011-2016), Circular Flanders was appointed by the Flemish Government in 2017 to continue and support the circular economy as a region-wide transition priority. In 2019 the Flemish Government confirmed this mandate and expressed its ambition to make Flanders a circular frontrunner by decoupling the material footprint of our consumption from economic growth and reducing it by 30% by 2030.
Share bottlenecks or opportunities you come across to help our community or tell us about your awesome circular case. Feel free to ask any questions you may have.
