{"id":7515,"date":"2025-08-21T10:04:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T10:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/lap\/netherlands-shows-how-bricks-data-and-procurement-can-make-uk-construction-circular\/"},"modified":"2025-08-21T16:38:07","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T16:38:07","slug":"netherlands-shows-how-bricks-data-and-procurement-can-make-uk-construction-circular","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/lap\/netherlands-shows-how-bricks-data-and-procurement-can-make-uk-construction-circular\/","title":{"rendered":"Netherlands shows how bricks, data and procurement can make UK construction circular"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n

Amsterdam\u2019s robot-sorted bricks and the Madaster material passport offer a practical blueprint for the UK: combine targets, transparent data and procurement rules to shift demolition from disposal to resource recovery at scale.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

The editorial position in Richard Steer\u2019s Building piece is clear: the UK cannot keep treating demolition as disposal while we pretend the planet has an endless warehouse of materials. Steer points to a striking example from the Netherlands to illustrate what a practical, policy-backed shift toward circular construction looks like. In Amsterdam, a city intent on being fully circular by 2050 and halving virgin material use by 2030 has funded a tangible, almost charmingly tactile solution: a robot that collects, sorts and repaves with part-washed bricks salvaged from the city\u2019s streets. The point isn\u2019t novelty for novelty\u2019s sake; it\u2019s a demonstration that circular practice can be scaled, measured and embedded in daily operations. As Steer notes, this is part of a broader trend toward rethinking the built environment rather than simply recycling the same old approach. He stresses a simple, blunt line that underpins the argument: \u201cWe demolish too much, recover too little.\u201d In other words, the circular economy is not a niche ideal but a real-world business case that can influence both performance and cost. The Netherlands\u2019 experimentation sits within a global movement that also includes rising attention in the United States, Europe and beyond, where policy and procurement are increasingly aligned with circular objectives. <\/p>\n

What does this look like in policy and practice, and what can the UK learn from it? The Dutch government\u2019s long-term circular-economy plan lays out ambitious targets that inform both public procurement and infrastructure design. By 2050, the Netherlands aims to be fully circular, with a milestone of roughly halving primary abiotic material use by 2030 and a mandate that a growing share of materials in infrastructure projects be circular well before then. One concrete mechanism is the material passport, a data-rich record of a building\u2019s or asset\u2019s constituent materials that supports disassembly, reuse and shared value in future projects. This approach is being piloted and scaled in various forms across Amsterdam and its region, where Madaster\u2019s material-passport platform has become a cornerstone of planning and refurbishment efforts. In practical terms, projects such as the Schiphol Trade Park near Hoofddorp have reached a landmark milestone as the world\u2019s first business park completed with a Madaster material passport, highlighting how such data can unlock reuse potential across the lifecycle of infrastructure and real estate. Within the UK, similar attempts are already visible in the form of pilots aimed at salvaged and recycled components; for instance, a high-profile east London initiative explores building a residential block entirely from recycled materials, reflecting a growing appetite for systemic change rather than isolated experiments. These threads\u2014policy targets, data-enabled procurement, and hands-on pilot projects\u2014point toward a future where circularity is standard practice rather than a niche add-on. <\/p>\n

The path toward this future is not without obstacles. In the Netherlands, the transition is framed as a national programme supported by data sharing, robust material passports and a structured approach to reuse in both construction and demolition. In parallel, in the United Kingdom and England more broadly, there is a recognition that the shift must be anchored in solid data and consistent policy signals. A 2020 government progress report on England\u2019s recycling and recovery targets notes that while performance has improved in some areas, not all targets were met, with household recycling persistence affected by extraordinary circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet the report also highlights encouraging benchmarks\u2014non-hazardous construction and demolition waste recovery figures well above the 70% target in 2018\u2014and points to future reforms designed to harmonise recycling collections and expand producer responsibility. Beyond the core recycling targets, the report underscores the importance of data quality and transparent reporting to support embodied-carbon accounting, long-term asset management and more ambitious circular procurement. In short, the UK experience aligns with broader European learning: better data, clearer regulations and more robust frameworks for reuse and disassembly will be essential to unlocking the cost and carbon savings that circular construction promises. <\/p>\n

In conclusion, circular construction is not a passing phase but an inevitable evolution in how we design, build and manage our infrastructure and cities. The Dutch example\u2014where material passports, circular targets and real-world pilots are moving from theory to practice\u2014offers a blueprint for the UK to adapt, scale and ultimately excel in a circular economy. If the winds of ESG and embodied-carbon reporting continue to rise, the next generation of construction professionals will be trained to prioritise lifecycle thinking by default. The Netherlands has shown a concrete path forward; the question for the UK remains whether we will embrace it at scale, bringing reclaimed bricks, salvaged steel and disassembly-ready designs into every major project, one repaved brick at a time.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udccc Reference Map:<\/h3>\n

Source: Noah Wire Services<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

Noah Fact Check Pro<\/h3>\n

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
\n emerged. We\u2019ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
\n below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
\n warrant further investigation.<\/p>\n

Freshness check<\/h3>\n

Score:
\n <\/span>5<\/p>\n

Notes:
\n <\/span>Summary: The narrative mixes genuinely recent developments (robotic bricklaying\/paving pilots reported in 2023\u20132025) with established policy and project examples dating back years. \ud83d\udd70\ufe0f Earliest substantially similar items located include automated brick-recovery research (REBRICK) from 2013 and the Madaster Schiphol material-passport announcement (31 Aug 2020). \u2705 The Dutch circular-by-2050 policy and the National Circular Programme (2023) are long-running policy anchors. Key items: REBRICK (2013). ([eandtmagazine.org](https:\/\/www.eandtmagazine.org\/2013\/09\/17\/automated-system-sorts-out-useful-bricks-after-demolitions?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) Madaster \/ Schiphol Trade Park (2020). ([madaster.com](https:\/\/madaster.com\/inspiration\/kws-completes-schiphol-trade-park-as-the-first-business-park-in-the-world-with-a-madaster-material-passport\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) Dutch national programme (2023). ([government.nl](https:\/\/www.government.nl\/topics\/circular-economy\/documents\/reports\/2023\/09\/27\/national-circular-economy-programme-2023-2030?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) TNO \/ Madaster collaboration shows ongoing scaling. ([madaster.com](https:\/\/madaster.com\/inspiration\/tno-madaster-give-circular-building-a-boost\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) Robotic pilots (Monumental etc.) are recent and widely reported (2024\u201325). ([techcrunch.com](https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2024\/02\/17\/dutch-startup-monumental-is-using-robots-to-lay-bricks\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [therobotreport.com](https:\/\/www.therobotreport.com\/monumental-raises-25m-for-bricklaying-robots\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) Assessment notes: \u26a0\ufe0f Much of the material is not newly invented in the Building commentary \u2014 it synthesises older press releases, government programmes and recent robotics reporting. If the expectation is exclusive reporting, this is recycled\/contextual commentary rather than breaking news. \u203c\ufe0f The Madaster\/Schiphol example is effectively a published press release\/case study (2020), which reduces \u2018novelty\u2019 even if it remains a valid exemplar. ([madaster.com](https:\/\/madaster.com\/inspiration\/kws-completes-schiphol-trade-park-as-the-first-business-park-in-the-world-with-a-madaster-material-passport\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))<\/p>\n

Quotes check<\/h3>\n

Score:
\n <\/span>8<\/p>\n

Notes:
\n <\/span>Summary: The piece contains a short, blunt line presented as Richard Steer\u2019s synthesis \u2014 \u201cWe demolish too much, recover too little.\u201d A web search for that exact phrase turned up no prior identical matches, suggesting the line is likely original to this commentary or at least not widely republished verbatim online. \ud83d\udd0e No identical earlier uses were found in open web indexes during checks; the author is a regular Building commentator (Richard Steer). ([building.co.uk](https:\/\/www.building.co.uk\/richard-steer\/16147.contributor?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) Caveats: if the quotation is attributed within the text to a third party (it is not), independent verification would be required. If editors reuse the sentence in rewrites\/aggregations, it may appear elsewhere later \u2014 monitor for copy. \u2705<\/p>\n

Source reliability<\/h3>\n

Score:
\n <\/span>8<\/p>\n

Notes:
\n <\/span>Summary: The narrative draws on reputable institutional material (Dutch government policy pages and national circular programmes, TNO research, Madaster case material) and established industry reporting (Building commentary itself). Strengths: Dutch government circular targets and programme documentation are primary, authoritative references. ([government.nl](https:\/\/www.government.nl\/topics\/circular-economy\/documents\/reports\/2023\/09\/27\/national-circular-economy-programme-2023-2030?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) The Madaster Schiphol material-passport announcement is a primary case example from the parties involved (Madaster \/ KWS \/ SADC) \u2014 essentially a project press release\/case study. ([madaster.com](https:\/\/madaster.com\/inspiration\/kws-completes-schiphol-trade-park-as-the-first-business-park-in-the-world-with-a-madaster-material-passport\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [volkerwessels.com](https:\/\/www.volkerwessels.com\/en\/news\/kws-delivers-schiphol-trade-park-first-business-park-world-madaster-materials-passport?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) Recent robotics coverage is reported by reputable tech\/business outlets (TechCrunch, Robot Report) but is also widely syndicated across smaller blogs and industry sites; that distribution is normal for tech stories but means some reprints are lower-quality. ([techcrunch.com](https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2024\/02\/17\/dutch-startup-monumental-is-using-robots-to-lay-bricks\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [therobotreport.com](https:\/\/www.therobotreport.com\/monumental-raises-25m-for-bricklaying-robots\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) Risks flagged: \u26a0\ufe0f Where the commentary relies on press-release material (Madaster) or on single-vendor project PR, that is legitimate primary material but should be treated as a commissioned\/promo source rather than independent verification. If any claim depends solely on a single vendor\u2019s statement, flag for verification (e.g. specific numeric performance claims). \u2705<\/p>\n

Plausability check<\/h3>\n

Score:
\n <\/span>8<\/p>\n

Notes:
\n <\/span>Summary: Core claims are plausible and corroborated by multiple public items: Dutch circular targets and material-passport pilots (Madaster) are documented; TNO and Rijkswaterstaat publications describe material-passport and circular-infrastructure efforts; robotic bricklaying and automated paving machines have real pilots (Monumental, Tiger Stone and others). ([government.nl](https:\/\/www.government.nl\/topics\/circular-economy\/documents\/reports\/2023\/09\/27\/national-circular-economy-programme-2023-2030?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [madaster.com](https:\/\/madaster.com\/inspiration\/tno-madaster-give-circular-building-a-boost\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [techcrunch.com](https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2024\/02\/17\/dutch-startup-monumental-is-using-robots-to-lay-bricks\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [neuroject.com](https:\/\/neuroject.com\/robotic-bricklaying\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) Concrete UK examples of ambitious recycled-material pilots in east London (projects like The Arbour \/ other pilots) are publicly reported and back the commentary’s UK claims. ([ribaj.com](https:\/\/www.ribaj.com\/buildings\/riba-awards-2024-london-east-the-arbour-boehm-lynas-gs8-housing-waltham-forest?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) Flags and caveats: \u203c\ufe0f The specific phrasing that a single robot in Amsterdam \u201ccollects, sorts and repaves with part-washed bricks\u201d appears to derive from a New Scientist video referenced by industry sites (New Scientist video reported via UK Construction Online) \u2014 New Scientist content was blocked for direct indexing in this check, so independent primary reporting is via a secondary citation. ([ukconstructionmedia.co.uk](https:\/\/www.ukconstructionmedia.co.uk\/videos\/amsterdams-brick-laying-robot-is-helping-city-become-fully-circular\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) That means the precise operational detail (e.g. how bricks are washed\/sorted, throughput, where deployed) should be verified from the original New Scientist \/ project technical note or municipal release before using as an engineering claim. \u26a0\ufe0f Where the commentary makes broad causal claims about costs and scaling, those are plausible but would require numeric evidence (cost comparisons, lifecycle carbon accounting) to be conclusive \u2014 the piece is an informed editorial rather than a data-driven study. \u2705<\/p>\n

Overall assessment<\/h3>\n

Verdict<\/span> (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN<\/span><\/p>\n

Confidence<\/span> (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM<\/span><\/p>\n

Summary:
\n <\/span>This is a credible, well\u2011sourced industry commentary that synthesises established policy programmes, documented pilot projects and recent robotics reporting \u2014 but it is largely a synthesis rather than exclusive reporting. \u2705 Strengths: it references real initiatives (Madaster material passports \/ Schiphol Trade Park, Dutch national circular programme, TNO collaboration) and recent robotics coverage (Monumental, automated paving\/brick-laying technologies) which are independently documented. ([madaster.com](https:\/\/madaster.com\/inspiration\/kws-completes-schiphol-trade-park-as-the-first-business-park-in-the-world-with-a-madaster-material-passport\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [government.nl](https:\/\/www.government.nl\/topics\/circular-economy\/documents\/reports\/2023\/09\/27\/national-circular-economy-programme-2023-2030?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [techcrunch.com](https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2024\/02\/17\/dutch-startup-monumental-is-using-robots-to-lay-bricks\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) Major risks and reasons for an OPEN verdict: \u203c\ufe0f Recycling of older material \u2014 key examples (Madaster\/Schiphol) date to 2020 and policy programmes to 2016\/2023, so the narrative combines old and new rather than breaking a fresh story; this lowers freshness. ([madaster.com](https:\/\/madaster.com\/inspiration\/kws-completes-schiphol-trade-park-as-the-first-business-park-in-the-world-with-a-madaster-material-passport\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [government.nl](https:\/\/www.government.nl\/topics\/circular-economy\/documents\/reports\/2023\/09\/27\/national-circular-economy-programme-2023-2030?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) \u26a0\ufe0f Some operational claims (a robot in Amsterdam that \u2018collects, sorts and repaves\u2019 part\u2011washed bricks) are reported via a New Scientist video referenced on industry sites; direct access to New Scientist was blocked during checks, so independent verification of the precise mechanics\/scale requires consulting the original New Scientist piece or municipal technical notes. ([ukconstructionmedia.co.uk](https:\/\/www.ukconstructionmedia.co.uk\/videos\/amsterdams-brick-laying-robot-is-helping-city-become-fully-circular\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) \u26a0\ufe0f Press\u2011release \/ case\u2011study material is present (Madaster \/ KWS \/ SADC) \u2014 reliable for factual project existence but prone to positive framing; where the commentary leans on single PR items, editors should seek corroboration or more technical data. ([madaster.com](https:\/\/madaster.com\/inspiration\/kws-completes-schiphol-trade-park-as-the-first-business-park-in-the-world-with-a-madaster-material-passport\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) Final recommendation: treat the narrative as a useful industry synthesis (OPEN) \u2014 it passes basic plausibility and sourcing checks but should not be taken as original investigative reporting. Verify any technical\/quantitative claims (robot throughput, brick\u2011cleaning method, cost\/CO2 savings) with the original project reports, vendor technical notes or municipality releases before republishing as fact. \u26a0\ufe0f<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Amsterdam\u2019s robot-sorted bricks and the Madaster material passport offer a practical blueprint for the UK: combine targets, transparent data and procurement rules to shift demolition from disposal to resource recovery at scale. The editorial position in Richard Steer\u2019s Building piece is clear: the UK cannot keep treating demolition as disposal while we pretend the planet<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7516,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-7515","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-london-news"},"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/lap\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7515","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/lap\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/lap\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/lap\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/lap\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7515"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/lap\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7515\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7517,"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/lap\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7515\/revisions\/7517"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/lap\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7516"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/lap\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7515"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/lap\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7515"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/lap\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7515"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}