Visit from Hochschule Darmstadt: Exploring Cross-Border Circular Economy Solutions

In collaboration with our research group Circular Economy, the municipality of Groningen, and Circular Groningen (Vereniging Circulair Groningen), we welcomed Prof. Roland Lentz and a group of Master students from Hochschule Darmstadt (Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences) on September 23.

The visiting group included students from various fields, such as economics, law and engineering (civil, plastic and environmental). This visit was part of their master Sustainability. During their 4 day stay they engaged with institutions and companies in Groningen involved in circular economy initiatives.

Students from the MSc Sustainable Entrepreneurship of the Campus Friesland (CF) joined the German students and worked together on some questions in 6 workshops.

Before the workshops started Bart Volkers, director of Vereniging Circulair Groningen, welcomed the visitors with an introductory speech, emphasizing the collaboration between Germany and the Netherlands in advancing circular economy practices.

Following Volkers, Carolina Vogel, Project manager city management of the Groningen municipality, shared insights into the city’s circular strategy and projects. ‘Material consumption has more than tripled over the last 50 years,’ Vogel explained. ‘However, the City of Groningen aims to be waste-free by 2030, and we’re already at 70% reuse of municipal waste—high-quality reuse that is, not incineration.’

The visit fostered an important exchange of ideas on the future of circular systems and cross-border cooperation in achieving sustainability goals.