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 [...]
Neutralization of HBCD (Flame Retardant) in "Old" EPS Insulation Materials
Background Information: 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 recycled (post-consumption) insulation materials will increase sharply in the future. The potential to return these materials to the cycle is therefore significant […]
VOBU Study «Requirement for Material Recycling of EPS and XPS Insulation Materials»
Initial situation Insulation materials greatly reduce the energy consumption of buildings. However, their production contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions in the construction industry. The production and energy recovery of expanded polystyrene (EPS) alone generates around 130,000 tons of CO₂ equivalents every year in Switzerland. With the predicted increase in deconstructed insulation materials, the question of sustainable recycling is becoming increasingly [...]
cycleworks – Plastics in Construction
Background: Plastics in Construction. Plastics have become indispensable in the construction industry. Their technical properties enable a wide range of applications, through which they can make an important contribution to reducing the environmental impact. Approximately 23% of the annual Swiss consumption of plastics, amounting to 1 million tonnes, is used in the construction industry. But what happens to these […] after use?
Circoplast – Circular Construction Plastics
Over one million tons of plastics are consumed in Switzerland every year - around 22% of which are used by the construction industry. The Circoplast project was launched to extend the service life of these 220,000 tons of plastics and close the material cycle. In collaboration with players from the construction and plastics industry, recycling companies and the support of [...]
Quality for Circular Economy
Changing regulations, increasing environmental burdens, and national/international crises are forcing companies to act flexibly. This flexibility can be achieved by integrating circular economy strategies into quality management. In collaboration with the Swiss Association for Quality (SAQ), realcycle GmbH (formerly REDILO GmbH) conducted interviews with stakeholders from various industries (food, textiles, watches, construction, tech, MedTech, and packaging) […]
Plastic Recycling Switzerland (Report Modules 1 and 2)
Modules 1 and 2 of the “Kunststoffverwertung Schweiz” (Swiss Plastics Recycling) project comprised a gap analysis (status determination) as well as the updating and verification of plastic mass flows and the corresponding recycling potentials in Switzerland. Plastics from households as well as plastics from industry, commerce and agriculture were investigated. Furthermore, the study identifies trends and developments from the national and international environment. […]
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