What is the challenge?
On the popular beaches of Renesse and Burgh-Haamstede, beach pavilions generate large volumes of waste each summer. Reducing, separating and reusing this waste is key to cleaner beaches and a lower environmental impact.
At the same time, the Municipality of Schouwen-Duiveland is exploring how sustainability efforts can be formally integrated into permit procedures — for example, when pavilions apply for expansion or renewal. Certification schemes like Green Key are being considered to ensure long-term commitment and measurable results.
Why this pilot?
This pilot connects environmental action with regulatory innovation. It aims to:
- Reduce and separate waste at beach pavilions
- Explore how sustainability criteria can be embedded in permit frameworks
- Encourage circular practices such as reuse
- Align public and private ambitions through concrete agreements
By linking sustainability to business development, the municipality hopes to drive real, lasting change in coastal tourism.
What’s being done?
So far, the pilot has:
- Held multiple rounds of conversations with pavilion owners and stakeholders
- Embedded the waste topic in regular municipal dialogue with beach entrepreneurs
- Identified opportunities and barriers for integrating sustainability into licensing
- Created alignment with the Veere pilot to allow for shared learning and regional scaling
This early engagement lays the groundwork for collaborative change.
Who is involved and what’s the 3ST approach?
This pilot is led by NME Schouwen-Duiveland, on behalf of the municipality, with support from:
- Local beach pavilion entrepreneurs
- Municipal policy and permitting departments
- Regional waste collectors
The project builds on existing local sustainability efforts and uses the 3ST Theory of Change method to test how policy instruments can drive environmental improvements in everyday operations.
What will it deliver?
- Improved waste reduction and separation at beach pavilions
- Clear criteria and guidance for embedding sustainability in permit processes
- Tested use of Green Key certification as part of licensing
- A model for other coastal municipalities exploring permit-based sustainability tools
Want to know more?
Impuls Zeeland is responsible for coordinating this pilot project. Please feel free to contact this organisation if you have any questions.