Circular Public Procurement

Circular Public Procurement

MEGAPROJECT: THE CIRCULAR REGION

FOCUS AREA: SYSTEMIC CHANGE

CHALLENGE: CIRCULAR PUBLIC PROCUREMENT 

CHALLENGE DESCRIPTION:

This challenge is aimed at addressing how public entities through their procurement practices can support a transition to a circular economy.  

The challenge can take point of departure in existing legislation and identify whether or not this is hindering the transition, e.g. with a look to EU directives and how they are implemented nationally. A second part of the study can focus on how procurement is then implemented and organized locally at different public bodies, e.g. universities, municipalities, etc. (norms/practices, human capital, rewards, etc.). A third part can focus on the aspects of moving from product to service, for example within the furniture sector (e.g. from chairs and tables in classrooms to ‘learning environment’ or ‘design for learning’) or the textile sector (e.g. workwear as a service). A fourth part can identify state-of-the-art and contrast, compare and provide estimates of the value creation of circular public procurement, for example environmental/material/energy savings, local job creation, costs, etc. 

IMPACTED SDGS:

  

PROPOSED PROJECT PROBLEMS: 

  1. What are the challenges of moving from product to service, for example within the furniture sector (e.g. from chairs and tables in classrooms to ‘learning environment’ or ‘design for learning’) or the textile sector. 
  2. How are ow public organizations capable of ensuring circular public procurement, i.e who are setting up the public tenders and who are the users of the tenders? Are they educated and have the authority to choose the circular solution? 
  3. What is the legal framework for public procurement, and how is this hindering/promoting a transition to circular public procurement? 
     


 

CHALLENGE PROPOSER:

Heidi Simone Kristensen 
Planning
hsk@plan.aau.dk

 

CO-PROPOSERS

Brian Vejrum Wæhrens
Materials and production
bvw@mp.aau.dk