Scaling down the waste incineration capacity: good or bad idea?

This shift is a good thing, Dijkgraaf argues, as much still needs to be done in this field to be able to work towards a circular economy. However, so much needs to be done that we cannot reach this goal with Dutch secondary raw materials alone, meaning that imports of foreign raw materials will be needed. Moreover, these materials will have to be processed before they can be used in production processes.

Optimists are already using the rising trend of prevention and recycling to argue for scaling down of the waste incineration capacity, as it would become redundant. Perhaps one day they will be proved right. 'The point is just that we do not know yet. Therefore, it is better to leave the existing capacity intact until you are sure that you no longer need it. Otherwise, you run the risk that the waste will still have to go to landfill or that you will have to build new expensive waste incineration plants,' Dijkgraaf responded.