“Crisis in slow motion”: Netherlands must drastically reduce raw material use, PBL says

The Netherlands is not on track to significantly reduce its use of raw materials, making it unlikely to meet the government’s goal of cutting mineral, metal, and fossil resource consumption in half by 2030, according to a new report by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL).

“Unfortunately, the PBL must conclude that this issue is too low on the government’s priority list,” said PBL director Marko Hekkert. “Various crises demand attention, such as the nitrogen crisis and the housing crisis. But this is also a crisis in slow motion.”

The report highlights the Netherlands' struggle to transition to a circular economy, in which products and raw materials are reused with minimal waste. The government aims to achieve full circularity by 2050.

According to the PBL, the Dutch economy remains highly dependent on critical rare materials, many of which are sourced from China. Hekkert warned that geopolitical disruptions could quickly cut off access to these materials, forcing a sudden reduction in raw material consumption. “But right now, it apparently doesn’t feel urgent enough to cause sleepless nights,” he said.

In 2022, the Netherlands used more minerals, metals, and fossil resources than in 2020, reversing the intended downward trend. The PBL noted that 2020 was an anomaly due to the pandemic, which significantly reduced fossil fuel consumption. However, 2022 was also unusual because the war in Ukraine drove up prices, leading to lower resource consumption. Compared to 2016, overall resource use has declined.

The PBL recommends stronger government action, such as requiring companies to collect and reuse waste from their products. The agency pointed to recent policies mandating the collection of cans and plastic bottles as examples of successful interventions. It also urged the government to lead by example by purchasing more circular products, which could help create a larger market for sustainable goods.

The shift toward a circular economy has faced setbacks. In 2023, several Dutch plastic recycling companies went bankrupt, partly because virgin plastic remains cheaper than recycled material. The PBL suggested that subsidies could help close the price gap between new and recycled plastics.

Consumer behavior also reportedly remains a challenge. Many shoppers continue to buy low-quality, short-lived goods. “Besides fast fashion, we now also have fast furniture,” the report stated. While consumers are increasingly open to repairing products, high costs and long wait times often deter them from doing so.