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The Environment Act, which came into force on 1 January 2024, consolidates dozens of laws and regulations relating to land use, the environment and construction. Just over two years later, the practical implications are becoming increasingly apparent to everyone who works with temporary facilities on site. It is not only contractors who are noticing this, but also the logistics chain that supplies and installs site huts, units and containers.
At the same time, there is a growing focus on sustainability and working conditions at temporary workplaces. The central government is aiming for a fully circular economy by 2050, with an interim target of halving the use of raw materials by 2030. For the logistics sector, this means that speed and flexibility can no longer be viewed in isolation from material usage and a focus on product lifecycles.
Manufacturers who respond to this early on have a head start. A company such as https://harmsenunits.nl builds fully bespoke canteens and units in its own production hall in Lemelerveld, ensuring clients get exactly what they need without unnecessary material wastage. This approach is part of a wider trend affecting the entire sector.
What the Environment Act actually changes for temporary facilities
Under the Environment Act, temporary structures and facilities are subject to a different licensing regime than before. The former Building Decree and the General Planning and Permitting Act (Wabo) have been merged into the Decree on Structures in the Living Environment. As a result, local authorities have greater scope to impose local requirements on what may be erected on a building site.
This has a direct impact on logistics. A site hut or office unit that can be installed without any problems in one local authority may be subject to additional conditions elsewhere. Logistics planners must check which local regulations apply to each project, which can affect the lead time for project preparation.
The Digital System for the Environment Act makes it possible to retrieve planning permission conditions on a location-by-location basis. However, the reality is proving more challenging, as not all local authorities have fully digitised their regulations. This results in additional coordination work, particularly for large-scale projects involving multiple locations.
Circularity as a new factor in logistics
The construction sector is one of the largest consumers of raw materials in the Netherlands. Temporary facilities such as site huts and toilet blocks are also included in this, although they are still often overlooked in the circular economy debate. The reuse, exchange and refurbishment of existing units are therefore becoming more relevant than they have been for a long time.
In practice, logistics managers are increasingly opting for units with a longer service life and better maintainability. A canteen trolley that is completely worn out after a few years no longer fits into a circular approach. Manufacturers who offer individual replacement parts and take back and refurbish used units are responding to this shift.
The Harmsen Group in Lemelerveld combines new bespoke manufacturing with the sale and hire of second-hand units, supplemented by individual parts for refurbishment via their online shop. This model, which brings together manufacturing, trade and maintenance, enables shorter supply chains. It also prevents serviceable units from being disposed of as waste before their time.
Operational pressures call for a different ordering process
The construction sector has been grappling with staff shortages for several years now, and logistics planning for construction site set-up is no exception. With fewer people available for coordination, the ordering process for temporary facilities needs to be simpler and faster. Every extra round of discussions between the customer and the supplier takes up time that simply isn’t there.
Online configuration tools offer a solution. Clients can put together the interior, layout and accessories themselves, ensuring that the specifications are correct right from the initial enquiry. For logistics coordinators on large construction projects, this measurably reduces the time between ordering and delivery.
There is considerable variation in requirements. An installation company has different requirements for a site trailer than a local authority that needs a temporary base for roadworks. Bespoke production, combined with standardised logistics processes, offers a solution to this challenge without compromising on quality.
What logistics professionals can take away from this
For those responsible for setting up and supplying work sites, the list of considerations is growing. Site-specific permits, sustainability requirements from clients and a tight labour market call for suppliers who offer more than just a product on a trailer. Supply chain partners who contribute ideas on set-up, maintenance and reuse are becoming increasingly valuable.
Transparency regarding the origin of materials and their expected lifespan is becoming a factor in supplier selection. This is a shift comparable to what happened previously in transport logistics with regard to emissions reporting. Construction site logistics is becoming more professional at the same pace.
In the coming years, the pressure on temporary worksites will only increase, particularly as housing construction targets in the Netherlands remain high. Those who opt now for flexible, sustainable and easy-to-maintain units will avoid each new project turning into yet another search for the right facilities at the right time.
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