SWIRCULAR: a Swiss Digital Circular Construction Ecosystem
As part of the Innosuisse Flagship Call 2023, the SWIRCULAR project aims to revolutionize the Swiss construction industry. It addresses the urgent need for a transition to a circular economy in the built environment. The project focuses on the joint development of legal, economic and technical innovations. With this comprehensive approach, SWIRCULAR aims to bring about a change towards [...]
Reffnet-Fall Sustainable climbing holds
Climbing holds from the company Auftriib As part of a Reffnet consultation, we supported the company Auftriib in its efforts to develop sustainable climbing holds. Today, most climbing holds are made of polyurethane or polyester. After heavy wear, damage or when the climbing holds become "out", the old holds are burned. Auftriib now aims to develop a sustainable, [...]
ScreenFood research project - for safe food and packaging
As an associated partner, we are supporting the European research project "Metrology for Food Safety in the Circular Economy: Targeting and Screening Methods for Contaminants in Food and Recycled Packaging", or "Screen Food" for short, for three years. The project aims to make food and food contact materials safe in the long term. To this end, measurement methods for the detection of contaminants in food [...]
Workshop Made in Zurich initiative on recyclable packaging
As part of the "KLW konkret - Verpackungen optimieren" event, we shared our know-how on the circular economy and packaging optimization with the members of the "Made in Zurich Initiative". While the participants developed creative solutions, we supported them with technical expertise. Keynote speech on the concrete implementation of the circular economy for packaging With a keynote speech, Melanie Haupt introduced the [...]
Launch of the bioplastics specialist group
How should bioplastics be assessed and how can the biological cycle be sustainably ensured? These and other questions are discussed in the bioplastics expert group and new measures are developed - join in now!
Screen for Food Safety" research project launched
As part of a European research project, we will be working over the next three years on measurement methods for detecting contaminants in food and food packaging and will be involved in their development and harmonization.
How much plastic do we use in Switzerland?
What do Switzerland's plastic material flows look like? This question was scientifically answered by the ETH in 2022. An easy-to-understand overview of plastic consumption and recycling has now been produced in collaboration with the authors. This is now available.
Which paper and cardboard packaging can be recycled in Switzerland?
Together with Swiss Recycle, we have produced the white paper "Paper and cardboard - a general overview". This provides information on current international standards and national criteria for the recyclability of lightweight paper and cardboard packaging. With the common understanding thus created, further whitepapers or guidelines can be developed.
Life cycle assessment and evaluation of the recyclability of food packaging
As part of her Bachelor's thesis in Environmental Engineering at the ZHAW, Lea Schneider is working on the recyclability and life cycle assessment of food packaging. Problem definition The substitution of plastic packaging with paper, cardboard or other fiber packaging (fiber-based packaging) is a trend in the food sector. Packaging should be recyclable, as resource-efficient and environmentally friendly as possible while at the same time protecting the contents. The idea is [...]
Neutralization of HBCD (flame retardant) in "old" EPS insulation materials
Background Insulation materials for buildings can be made from a wide variety of materials. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS) are frequently used today. Like other thermoplastics, these materials are theoretically easy to recycle. In addition, according to several studies, the amount of post-consumer insulation materials will increase significantly in the future. The potential to recycle these materials [...]