Getting started with circular procurement

“We are all familiar with the collection of e-waste. It's something that the medical industry needs too. Although the reuse of medical devices has its challenges, the idea of making a refurbishing showcase of pacemakers was proposed with the intention of sending a signal to processors – if this is possible, anything is possible. The pilot proved inspiring in the industry. Other hospitals now want to get started too. ”

“When the current contracts for our furniture came to an end, it seemed like the perfect time for us to take a closer look at the overall work environment. We soon realised that this goes further than, for example, procuring circular offices. So, we put the entire package for office furnishing on the market. We are looking for a cooperation partner who can be the guardian of the entire concept. This requires cooperation throughout the chain, which is new.”

“An important lesson we have learned is 'look before you leap'. The first step towards upscaling was to clearly (re)formulate the ambition. For that, we had to go back to basics – what exactly do we mean by circular work clothing, and what do we expect from our suppliers?”