In the project ‘Technical innovations and financial instruments for a circular economy’, Trinomics has carried out for the Dutch Ministry of Environment an analysis of three sectors relevant for a circular economy. These are the plastics, electronical equipment and buildings sector. Three questions were examined in particular: 1) Which innovations are needed in this sector for a circular economy, 2) Which governmental instruments can provide the best incentives for such innovations, and 3) What are recommendations for an optimal application of these instruments, including the need for new instruments? The results of this study are used internally by the Ministry.