As society is constantly evolving, some resources that the Central Public Administration once acquired to perform its duty are no longer needed.
Circular economy
The government wants the Central Public Administration to contribute to the circular economy to the greatest extent possible. To put this government policy into practice, DRZ aims for maximum recycling of redundant goods owned by the Central Public Administration. That is why the Central Public Administration is subject to a law prescribing how all government agencies are to process the goods they no longer use.
This law states that if a government agency has goods that still have value but that are no longer used, DRZ must be notified of these goods.
DRZ examines the goods and processes them in various ways, depending on the type of item.
Processing of redundant IT resources by DRZ
IT resources are taken to the Hoogeveen location. There, all data is professionally removed from the data carriers to prevent any unauthorised access to the data. Any IT resources that are too outdated are converted into raw materials by contracted companies. These valuable raw materials, such as precious metals and glass, are subsequently sold to the manufacturing industry, which turns them into products again.
IT resources that can be reused are sold to processing companies, which refurbish the goods and then offer them for sale outside the Central Public Administration.
Processing according to Weeelabex
The processing of redundant IT resources by DRZ is in compliance with the Weeelabex European regulations. This is how DRZ guarantees that the resources are processed in a highly environmentally conscious manner.
Processing of other redundant goods
DRZ uses the website rijksmarktplaats.nl (only accessible to government agencies), where redundant office furniture such as desks, chairs and cabinets are offered for reuse within the Central Public Administration. The Central Public Administration annually saves six million euros on average by reusing furniture rather than buying new furniture.
DRZ also converts redundant textiles, such as old Defence uniforms, into raw materials and then sells them. All other redundant goods owned by the Central Public Administration are offered for sale to citizens and companies through an auction to allow them to be reused as well.
Sales proceeds
In nearly all instances, the proceeds from a sale minus the selling costs are paid to the government agency that registered the item for sale. The government agency must then use the proceeds for its own organisation. This means that it will make less use of taxpayers’ money. An exception is the processing of IT resources. The proceeds from the sale of these goods are needed to meet the costs of processing.
This is how DRZ contributes to effective and efficient business operations of the Central Public Administration.