Circularity doesn’t start with new technology. Nor does it start with new legislation.
It starts with a different way of looking at what already exists.
With that idea as a starting point, Alvero and Smart WorkPlace organized a roundtable discussion at DJI in Utrecht. Facility and sustainability experts from DJI, ABN AMRO, PostNL, the City of The Hague, 16 Mammals, and Alvero engaged in a discussion about circularity, supply chain collaboration, and the role of sustainability data.
The occasion was the first sustainability report from Alvero. That report was not the end of a process, but rather the beginning of a conversation. A conversation that ultimately revolved around one question: How do we truly get organizations moving?
Thanks to Joris de Schepper and DJI for their hospitality and Wim Kooyman for his role as moderator.
Circularity requires a different way of thinking
Rick Porcelijn (16 Mammals) kicked off the afternoon with a clear message: circularity isn’t about just one part of the chain.
Material use, production, use, maintenance, and reuse are inextricably linked. According to him, we still too often make the mistake of dividing sustainability into separate themes, when it is precisely this interconnectedness that determines the impact we make. Circularity requires connecting all perspectives throughout the supply chain.
His message was clear: “Everyone in the supply chain is needed.” With that, he immediately set the tone for the rest of the discussion.
The greatest impact occurs before a product is even used
A key insight was that most environmental impact occurs during production and raw material extraction. This makes extending a product’s lifespan, maintenance, and high-quality reuse much more important than is often realized. When products are designed to preserve materials, it creates opportunities for true circularity. For organizations, this represents a fundamental shift: not constantly replacing items, but making better use of what already exists; not just looking at purchase costs, but at the entire life cycle of products.
Transparency is becoming increasingly important
Ryanne van Rijn (Municipality of The Hague) emphasized that circularity only works when organizations are transparent about their performance and set the same expectations for their suppliers.
Climate goals require greater insight into material flows, raw materials, and environmental impact. What was barely a consideration in procurement processes just a few months ago is now receiving increasing attention within organizations. Circularity is thus increasingly becoming a shared challenge rather than an individual ambition.
No data, no circular choices
Also Farshad Farshadpour (ABN AMRO) emphasized the importance of insight.
ABN AMRO has now mapped out a large portion of its furnishings and assets. This provides insight into which pieces of furniture will become available during moves, renovations, and redesigns. Only when you know what you have can you determine what can be reused. He cited the renovation of the Foppingadreef in Amsterdam as an example project. Circularity was not an additional goal there, but the starting point. Materials, systems, and building components were retained, reused, or returned to the supply chain wherever possible. As a result, the building became not only a workplace but also a circular materials hub.
Change begins with insight
For Ardaan Spruijt (Alvero), this discussion actually began much earlier.
The impetus for the roundtable was Alvero’s first sustainability report from Alvero. Not because a report in and of itself makes a difference, but because it raises questions. About impact. About responsibility. And about the way organizations collaborate within the supply chain.
While drafting the report, it also became clear just how challenging transparency can still be at times. For example, obtaining life cycle data (LCAs) from suppliers was not a given. While the initial requests yielded hardly any responses, the willingness to share data is now visibly growing. This shows that sustainability isn’t just about systems and processes, but above all about collaboration.
According to Ardaan, circularity therefore begins with asking the right questions. Where do materials come from? What is their impact? How can we keep products in use longer?
This idea aligns seamlessly with a belief that has been part of Alvero’s philosophy for years:
(First) make use of what's already there.
Sustainability is increasingly becoming a basic requirement
For Jeff van Eijk (PostNL), sustainability is becoming less of a differentiating factor and more of an expectation. Customers simply expect organizations to take responsibility for their impact. Sustainability is thus shifting from an ambition to a basic requirement for doing business. This development means that organizations no longer look solely at price and quality, but also at how products are made, transported, maintained, and reused.
Communication Makes the Difference
In addition to systems, data, and processes, the human aspect was also discussed at length.
Because even when circularity is technically possible, that doesn’t automatically mean people will embrace it. Joris de Schepper (DJI) explained how important communication is in this regard. Employees need to understand why reused furniture is being used and what impact that has. The tables at which the roundtable participants were seated served as a direct example of this. They had previously been used at another location and have now been given a new purpose.
When you highlight the story behind products, people’s appreciation for them often changes as well.
We recognize this at Alvero as well. Reuse is sometimes still viewed with some trepidation, even though refurbishment is, in many cases, a better alternative than manufacturing new products.
The Sustainability Report as a Management Tool
Perhaps the most important conclusion of the afternoon:
A sustainability report is not an end in itself.
It’s not a document you create simply because you have to. It’s a tool for starting conversations, fostering collaboration, and driving change throughout the supply chain. Organizations gain insight into their impact, identify opportunities, and simultaneously help suppliers and partners take action.
As Joris de Schepper aptly summarized:
"Sustainability shouldn't be a separate component, but rather an integral part of your way of working."
The most important lesson of the afternoon
The afternoon demonstrated that circularity is not a challenge that a single organization can solve on its own.
From manufacturer to supplier. From facility manager to end user. Everyone plays a role.
Alvero’s sustainability report served as the catalyst for this discussion, but above all, it provided proof that transparency, collaboration, and knowledge sharing can truly drive organizations forward. Circularity doesn’t start with new technology or new products. It starts with a different way of looking at what already exists—and with the willingness to take joint responsibility for it.
Want to read more?
Curious about all the insights and real-world examples shared during the roundtable? Then read the full article at Smart WorkPlace. There you’ll find the complete report of the discussion between DJI, ABN AMRO, the City of The Hague, PostNL, 16 Mammals, and Alvero.
Want to learn more about sustainability and circularity?
Get in touch with Ardaan and dive deeper into it together.
