Event summary

From 19 to 27 March, the Netherlands turns into one big playground for circular ideas and waste transformation. All over the country, makers, companies, municipalities, and organisations open their doors to show how discarded materials get a second, smarter life.

Event description

The Week of the Circular Economy is the moment each year when waste transformation becomes visible everywhere. Not in one big hall, but spread across cities, neighbourhoods, studios, factories, and workshops throughout the Netherlands.

You might step into a maker space where old materials are turned into new products, join a talk about reuse systems, or visit a company experimenting with repair, redesign, or material innovation. Some events focus on full circular systems, others on giving waste a meaningful next life. Together, they show how many different ways there are to rethink what we usually throw away.

For Waste Alchemists, this week feels like coming home. It brings together people who work with waste every day, from hands-on makers to organisations shaping bigger systems. It’s an open invitation to explore, ask questions, and see how waste transformation is already happening, often closer than you think.

What you can expect

• Workshops, talks, tours, and open studios across the Netherlands
• Makers and organisations working hands-on with waste and materials
• Ideas around reuse, repair, redesign, and material innovation
• Events you can visit locally or turn into a full-day exploration

Who it’s for

• Curious individuals who want to see waste differently
• Makers, designers, students, and professionals
• Anyone interested in practical examples of waste transformation
• No prior knowledge needed, curiosity goes a long way

Practical information

• Dates: 19–27 March 2026
• Time: Varies per event
• Location: Across the Netherlands
• Tickets / registration: Depends on individual events

Feel like joining?

Explore the full programme and plan your own route through the Week of Circular Economy.