This paper analysis the potentials for a transition towards circular waste management in the province of Utrecht, the Netherlands, and proposes a transition agenda to facilitate the transition. We specifically focus on the potentials for small & medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for several reasons. Firstly, little research has been done on the contribution potential of SMEs to a circular economy. Secondly, a recent survey amongst 300 Western European SMEs found that 50% were not familiar with the concept of a circular economy and that a quarter does not understand the concept \cite{Fusion_2014}. Thirdly, given the large number of SMEs in the province of Utrecht (X in year Y), this paper hopes to make a contribution towards new business models and concepts within this important group of actors.
Our paper is structured as follows. In Section \ref{utrecht-province} we briefly highlight the current state of waste management practices and economic developments in the province of Utrecht, followed by a short theoretical review on the circular economy in Section \ref{circular-economy}. In Section \ref{methods} we introduce our methodological approach, which is used in Section \ref{transition-agenda} to develop a transition agenda that can be used by regional policy-makers, companies and other interested actor groups to faciliate the transition to more circular waste management in the province of Utrecht.
What are the opportunities for the province of Utrecht to accelerate the transition to a circular economy?
How can the opportunities be facilitated, barriers removed and the transition be shaped?
What is the desired role for the provincial government in this?