What does circular horticulture look like? And what role can it play in the social challenges facing the Netherlands? That is what Secretary of State Vivianne Heijnen of Infrastructure and Water Management investigated during a working visit to Beyond Chrysant in Hoek van Holland.
Horticulture is continuously working on circularity. Although Dutch horticulture already has the lowest impact per kilogram of product on the environment, climate, and biodiversity worldwide, further sustainability of our sector in new circular chains remains necessary. Innovation is the starting point in this for us. This is how our greenhouses become closed, circular production ecosystems. An integral view of the existing system by reviewing the use and value of raw materials in conjunction with regional tasks in connection with other sectors. From clean, efficient, and economical operations to smartly connected for tomorrow.
Broad circular innovation
After being welcomed by Glastuinbouw Nederland chairman Adri Bom-Lemstra, host Wouter Duijvestijn gave an introduction to the sustainability initiatives on his farm, the value of horticulture for social tasks and his plans for circular connections in the environment. This not only means more efficient use of primary raw materials within our greenhouses but also smarter (re)use of renewable raw materials such as substrates and fertilizers, as well as a high-quality use of residual products in our own and new chains.
SIGN also gave an introduction to the activities of the innovation program on circular horticulture (also read more in SIGN's newsletter), which covered circular fertilizers, protein from residual flows, and, finally, a number of bio-based showcases - developed in the Living Lab. Secretary of State Heijnen was particularly enthused by the entrepreneurship to continue investing in sustainability and the wider circular tasks of the environment. Concrete examples from Beyond Chrysant but also regionally in Hoek van Holland were discussed. Watch the video of the ministry here.
Source: Glastuinbouw Nederland