Cultural sector on expedition to Zero Waste: A prelude to a circular cultural sector

Expedition Tool

As a result of this Expedition, the Zero Waste Expedition Tool was launched on 29 November 2018. Developed on the basis of the individual trajectories, this tool helps cultural institutions to start working independently on waste prevention and separation. Visit the website www.zerowasteexpeditie.nl for more information and free participation.

First result after eight months of expedition

The frontrunners gained many new insights from their participation in the expedition. Measures are being taken to separate additional streams. For example, paper coffee cups and toilet towels are offered separately to the waste processor, giving it an application in new toilet towels and toilet paper. At the van Abbemuseum, the separate collection of Swill (GFE) is already saving nicely on waste bills. "At the Luxor Theatre, we also want to focus on waste prevention in particular; we are investigating what that means for the companies and event organisers who are our guests," says frontrunner Luxor Theatre Rotterdam. In addition, some participants have taken the first steps towards collecting PET (bottles) and clean films. Efforts are also being made on prevention through other purchasing.

"I am immensely proud that we were able to make so many strides with these frontrunners this year, this shows where working together in the sector can lead. Now hopefully the rest of the sector will follow," said Remco Wagemakers of DPM | Sustainability in Podia and Museums, organiser of the expedition.

The Zero Waste Expedition

The Culture Zero Waste Expedition is a search for a roadmap for the culture sector. Swill (GFE), foils and paper are the top three types of material that make up a large part of the residual waste that currently ends up in the incinerator. In the Culture Zero Waste Expedition, participating cultural institutions are conducting an internal sorting test of this waste stream to reveal its composition. This raises awareness among employees and encourages behavioural change. Because it is not only about waste separation and recycling; waste prevention is also an important starting point. Furthermore, within the shipping department, they are looking at optimising their waste logistics and technology by, for example, using electric trucks, waste presses and sensors that register how full a bin is.

Waste in the cultural sector

The culture sector is waste-intensive, according to the survey From Waste To Resource in the Cultural Sector. Every year, the sector produces 8,000 tonnes of waste, of which only a small part is recycled. On average, 60% of waste in the cultural sector disappears into the incinerator as non-separated residual waste. The more than 1,100 Dutch theatres, pop stages and museums collectively attract 50 million visitors a year. As a result, the sector has great potential to create awareness and influence behaviour. By reducing and separating waste, the institutions achieve social and financial gains. An average theatre can save over €3,000 a year on waste disposal. A museum as much as €6,600 a year.

Organisation

The Zero Waste Expedition Culture is initiated, financed and guided (in terms of content) by the Waste Circular department of Rijkswaterstaat and implemented by DPM | Sustainability in Venues and Museums. DPM is a sustainability consultancy and project management firm that helps in advising, guiding and driving sustainable change in the cultural sector. The Plantagebuurt in Amsterdam has already saved on waste, costs and logistics thanks to DPM's help, and the cultural institutions in the Plantagebuurt are now on track for 84% of separated raw materials by 2021.