Turning urban waste streams into sustainable food production

Urban regions worldwide are navigating the reality of growing populations, climate challenges and an increasing need for sustainably produced food. At the same time, cities generate large volumes of residual flows, organic waste, heat, CO₂ and water, that often leave the urban environment unused.

These streams are typically seen as costly by-products, yet they embody exactly the kind of resources that circular economies depend on. Circular City Greenhouses by Van der Hoeven demonstrate how these flows can be captured, upgraded and reintegrated into a productive system.

Explore Circular City Greenhouses

Feeding cities through circular horticulture

By combining advanced greenhouse technology with urban waste utilization, this concept places horticulture at the heart of the circular economy. Materials and energy no longer move in a straight line but circulate within the city. Heat from local facilities supports climate control, treated organic residues serve as valuable inputs for cultivation, reclaimed water feeds irrigation systems and captured CO₂ boosts crop growth. The greenhouse acts as a functional link between agriculture, energy providers, waste processors, utilities and city planners, turning separate sectors into a connected ecosystem.