Schiphol stimulates new circular economy initiatives. Although circular economy is getting more and more attention, there is still a lot to be done. Schiphol therefore gives space to new initiatives. The knowledge we gain can also be used by other parties.
Schiphol is having grass cuttings from the fields around the runways turned into construction panels. This project is the result of a collaboration with ECOR, a company that presses panels from fibres under high pressure. All kinds of fibres can be used for this, including grass fibres. The panels are used to make construction materials, which Schiphol’s construction partners use in a variety of building projects. Once a ceiling panel or partition wall has reached the end of its useful life, it goes back to ECOR. They then reuse it to make new panels, which are then turned into new products.
2000 m2 of recycled plastic flooring has been laid on Pier G. This floor is not only more sustainable, but also an artistic eye-catcher thanks to its subtle lines. The company Aectual made the floor using a special 3D printer. All Aectual floors are made from bio-based or recycled material, and production is waste free and CO2-neutral.
Rigo, a paint manufacturer in IJmuiden, used flax grown at Schiphol to create a sustainable paint called Aquamarijn. This paint has been used at Schiphol, in the P3 long-stay car park, for example. The flax is grown on an area of wasteland at Schiphol, local windmills do the oil pressing and then Rigo uses the oil to make paint. Waternet and the City of Amsterdam were also involved in this pilot.
Schiphol’s baggage basement is home to a 110-metre long cradle-to-cradle conveyor belt. Installed in 2011, it was the first in the world. This conveyor belt was designed by a company called Vanderlande and Schiphol provided the opportunity for it to be tested. The Blueveyor was designed to be easily dismantled after reaching the end of its useful life, meaning the various parts can be reused. The Blueveyor is 60% more energy efficient because of the special conveyance method it uses.
