From policy to practice: making circular procurement the new normal

Circular procurement is in the spotlight of a new project intending to promote the use of this powerful tool across public organisations in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany, and Ireland. Focusing on frequently procured products such as phones, laptops, and workwear, the Interreg North-West Circular Shift project is working to embed sustainable strategies like repair, refurbishment, and remanufacturing into everyday procurement. The goal? To make circular procurement not an exception, but standard practice across departments and product groups. The challenge for ACR+ and its fellow project partners, under the lead of ACR+ member Rijkswaterstaat, will be to strengthen value chain collaboration and drive organisational change. Through pilots, shared tools, and training, Circular shift addresses key barriers including limited cross-departmental commitment and the challenge of measuring tangible impacts, enabling public bodies to lead in closing material loops and advancing circularity.