QualiCycle – Initiative for high-quality plastic recycling in Switzerland
Around 790,000 tons of plastic waste are produced in Switzerland every year - but only a fraction of this is recycled. Although plastics offer many advantages for our everyday lives, their current use and disposal cause major environmental pollution and an enormous consumption of resources. The pressure to develop circular solutions is growing, particularly in the area of food packaging. The EU demands [...]
All-in-One: The Revolution in Plastics Recycling
Modern life is unimaginable without plastics, but the environmental impact of plastic waste must be drastically reduced. Currently, only about 8% of the plastics used in Switzerland are recycled. However, there is enormous potential in material recycling: increased material recycling is the key to conserving resources, reducing CO2 emissions and strengthening the […]
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 sectors. Standard products include touch panels, industrial controllers, I/O modules, Raspberry Pi, and more. As part of this Reffnet case, we were able to conduct comprehensive consulting on packaging optimization for the company. The goal was to examine the […]
Sustainable Recycling Pathways for Fiber-Based Lightweight Packaging
Technical innovations and political efforts are leading to an increased use of lightweight packaging made from paper- and cardboard-based materials, as well as other cellulose fiber products. Fiber-based lightweight packaging is used in combination with, for example, plastics and often has residual contamination compared to newspapers and cardboard boxes. The existing paper and cardboard recyclers in Switzerland are not specialized in these lightweight packaging materials, […]
Packaging Optimization for Sportswear
The project aimed to sustainably optimize various cardboard packaging solutions for Odlo. Founded in 1946, the company is globally recognized for its outdoor apparel. In addition to supporting top athletes, Odlo also offers a wide range of products for the general public. Odlo is now facing new challenges, increasingly encountering the desire for less plastic, fewer […]
cycleworks – Closing the Loop PS Switzerland
Plastics have become indispensable in our everyday lives, but their use also leads to massive environmental pollution. A promising solution to mitigate these impacts is material recycling. Our exchange starts right here: Since 2020, stakeholders along the entire value chain have been committed to a closed loop for polystyrene (PS) food packaging. At the “Closing the Loop” round table […]
ScreenFood Research Project – for Safe Food and Packaging
For three years, we are participating as an Associated Partner in 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. The project aims to ensure the long-term safety of food and food contact materials. To this end, measurement methods for the detection of contaminants in food [...]
Workshop on the Made in Zurich Initiative for Circular Packaging
As part of the event «KLW konkret – Verpackungen optimieren», we shared our expertise in circular economy and packaging optimization with members of the «Made in Zürich 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 attendees to the […]
Achieving a Sustainable Shopping Basket with Life Cycle Assessments
Project Background: Weita AG, part of the internationally operating Bunzl Group, distributes consumables in Switzerland. Their product range includes approximately 100,000 products in the categories of Foodservices, Cleaning, General, Safety & Hygiene, and Healthcare. Sustainability is becoming increasingly important, and there is a growing demand for sustainable product alternatives. Various sustainability indicators can be used in this context [...]
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 examined the recyclability and life cycle assessment of food packaging. Problem statement: The substitution of plastic packaging with paper, cardboard, or other fiber packaging (fiber-based packaging) in the food sector is a growing trend. Packaging should be recyclable, as resource-efficient as possible, and environmentally friendly while simultaneously protecting the contents. Considered […]