Making Better Use of Plastic Waste: Opportunities for the Future
Background and Objectives Switzerland’s waste management system is among the most advanced in the world. It is based on waste prevention, recycling, and energy recovery. Waste that is not reused, including plastics, is currently often recovered for energy in municipal waste incineration plants (MWIPs). This process generates energy, some of which is classified as renewable. Whether this classification is justified for the incineration of waste of fossil origin is […]
Teaching development Resource management
Sustainable resource management is an important part of the environmental engineering degree program at ETH Zurich. In the lectures Waste Technology, Waste Recycling Technologies and Waste Management and Circular Economy, Bachelor's and Master's students are taught the necessary knowledge and skills. Between September 2019 and February 2025, Dr. Melanie Haupt and Dr. Maja Wiprächtiger took over the management of all three lectures. [...]
Bio-based materials: exploiting potential, mastering challenges
New materials made from algae, cellulose, starch or by-products of food production provide degradable, recyclable and ecological solutions for various industries. We look at the hurdles and potential of these innovations and are happy to answer your questions.
We are launching QualiCycle!
Closing the loop for plastics requires strong dialogue and joint solutions. With the future project «QualiCycle – Platform for High-Quality Plastics Recycling Switzerland», we want to create a cross-polymer platform for exchange, cooperation, and concrete implementation.
Reffnet Case: Packaging Optimization for Kontron
Kontron Electronics AG, based in Rotkreuz, develops and manufactures electronic products for mechanical engineering, medical technology, and environmental technology, among other fields. Its standard products include touch panels, industrial controllers, I/O modules, Raspberry Pi, and several others. As part of this Reffnet case, we were asked to provide comprehensive consulting services on packaging optimization for the company. The goal was to optimize the various […]
Sustainable Recycling Pathways for Fiber-Based Lightweight Packaging
Technical innovations and political efforts are leading to increased use of lightweight packaging made from paper and cardboard (P+C) based materials and other cellulose fiber products. Fiber-based lightweight packaging is used in combination with plastics, for example, and often contains residual contamination compared to newspapers and cardboard boxes. Existing P+C recyclers in Switzerland are not specialized in this type of lightweight packaging, […]
From Waste to Food Packaging: The Potential of Recycled Polypropylene
Polypropylene (PP) is a common material for single-use food packaging. However, there is currently a lack of systems, technologies, and approvals across Europe to use recycled PP (rPP) as a Food Contact Material (FCM) in a closed loop. Instead, rPP is exclusively used in non-food applications. In order to ensure recyclability in the longer term, the use of recyclates in food contact materials must also be made possible. […]
Overview of collection systems for plastics in the construction industry
Plastics in the construction industry have received little attention in terms of circular economy to date. This is despite the fact that a large proportion of plastics are used in the construction industry today (kunststoff.swiss 2023) and that they also contribute significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the construction industry (Heeren & Hellweg 2019). Most GHG emissions come from the production and incineration of plastic products [...].
Plastic Recycling in the Construction Industry: Acting Together
Background Plastics play an important role in the construction industry due to their wide range of applications (see figure below). Around a quarter of Switzerland's annual plastic consumption is used in construction. However, little attention is currently paid to the plastics used in construction when it comes to sustainability in the construction industry, even though recycling plastics contributes to reducing the environmental impact […]
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 collaborative development of legal, economic, and technical innovations. With this comprehensive approach, SWIRCULAR aims to bring about a shift [...]