Rationale and Contextualisation

The Netherlands is one of the leading European countries in waste management, with minimal landfill use and high recycling and composting rates. EU policies such as the Landfill Directive drive national strategies to reduce waste and enhance material recovery, which is also the case in the Netherlands. Within this context, Omrin has positioned itself as a frontrunner in circular waste management, contributing to national and European goals of eliminating waste by 2050. Its innovative Circular Chain Management model is integral to transitioning from waste collection to resource recovery and circular economy leadership.

History and Reason for Creation

Omrin's origins date back to Friesland's regional waste management strategies in the 1970s and 1980s. In 1981, the Provincial States of Friesland established a waste management plan promoting regional cooperation. This led to the foundation of the Public Body Waste Disposal Friesland (OLAF) in 1984, which later evolved into Afvalsturing Friesland in 1995. Omrin was formed as the operational entity, with a focus on modern waste separation and resource recovery techniques. Over time, Omrin has grown into a networked organisation, integrating multiple municipal stakeholders and prioritising circular economy principles over simple waste disposal.

Omrin has been integral in contributing circular economy networks within Friesland, being a cofounder of Circulair Friesland, which is a network that is central to scaling the circular economy regionally and a significant force behind the regions success in various circular economy initiatives. The Circular Friesland network was in its conception 6 companies and now includes 160 companies, government organisations, educational institutes, and social organisations all in alliance aiming to facilitate Friesland becoming Europe’s most circular region. 

Aims and objectives

Omrin's overarching goal is to eliminate waste through a fully circular system where waste becomes a resource. By combining data-driven waste management, innovative recycling technologies, and strategic partnerships, Omrin seeks to minimise resource depletion and contribute to the success of a circular economy. Key objectives include:

-Increasing material recovery rates

-Reducing waste processing costs for municipalities

-Expanding partnerships for circular product chains

-Promoting clean mobility through sustainable logistics

-Strengthening municipal collaboration for waste governance

Structure and Governance

Omrin operates under two key entities, firstly Afvalsturing Friesland N.V. which is responsible for waste processing, and is owned by municipalities across Friesland, Groningen, and North Veluwe. The second is N.V. Fryslân Miljeu, which is in turn focused on waste collection, with shares held by Frisian and Groningen municipalities.

Omrin’s collaboration with municipalities in the region showcases an innovative model of private-public waste management. Its governance model ensures that decisions align with public interest rather than profit-making. Omrin collaborates with 36 municipalities, collecting waste from over 1.5 million people and 10,000 businesses. This public ownership structure fosters regional cooperation and reinvestment into waste processing technologies and workforce development.

Key Projects and Initiatives

Omrin has developed several flagship initiatives that showcase its leadership in circular chain management:

-Ecopark De Wierde: A state-of-the-art waste separation and processing facility in Heerenveen, achieving a 78% waste recovery rate.

-Clean Mobility Chain: A partnership with Scania, Iveco, MAN, and OG Clean Fuels to create a sustainable logistics network with clean fuel stations, due to this Omrin’s own fleet is largely green.

-Organic Waste Digestion: High-performance digestion processes for organic waste, significantly increasing biogas production and reducing CO2 emissions.

-Smart Data-Driven Waste Management: Utilising digital platforms to optimise waste collection, separation, and material reuse, integrating circular economy principles across the value chain.

Omrin achieves high waste separation rates through a unique model that prioritises reuse over waste at the source and post separation. This involves a requirement for some separation of waste on the consumer side, buta advance sorting for plastics, drinks cartons and cans are separated internally at Omrin through smart machines.

Beyond waste separation, Omrin recognises that the path to a truly circular economy lies in further collaboration and therefore continually contributes to investments in knowledge, technology, and other circular business models, collaboration with educational institutes, start ups, local governments, and business. This is in line with the Frisian Approach to a circular economy, hinged on broad collaboration across the ‘Triple Helix’ of actors from government, business, and research. For example, The National Test Centre for Circular plastics is a key partner of Omrin’s.

Read more about Omrin’s innovative technologies and energy neutral fleet here.

Read more about the NTCP here.

Regional Significance and Uniqueness

Omrin plays a crucial role in Friesland’s sustainability strategy, distinguishing itself in several ways. The organisation boasts impressive circularity rates, achieving a 78% waste separation rate, significantly surpassing both the Dutch national average of 57% and the EU average of 49%. Its unique shareholder structure, which involves local governments rather than private investors, ensures that profits are reinvested into regional sustainability initiatives. By adopting an integrated circular economy approach, the organization successfully combines waste collection, processing, material recovery, and circular production partnerships within a single cohesive framework.

Outcomes and Impact

Omrin’s innovative model has delivered significant economic and environmental benefits:

Financial Sustainability: With a turnover of over €200 million and an EBITDA of €42 million, Omrin offers some of the lowest waste processing rates in the Netherlands.

Investment in Circular Growth: Over €320 million allocated for upcoming projects to enhance circular economy initiatives and clean energy transitions.

Reduction in Waste-to-Landfill: Leading the Netherlands towards its national goal of eliminating landfilling by 2050.

Job Creation: Supporting regional employment through its facilities, logistics networks, and innovative circular economy partnerships.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

Omrin exemplifies how a publicly governed waste management entity can transition into a circular economy leader. By integrating innovative technologies, municipal cooperation, and data-driven waste processing, Omrin has set a benchmark for waste-to-resource transformation. Moving forward, continued investments in circular innovations, clean mobility, and material recovery will ensure that Omrin remains a model for sustainable waste management in Europe.