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 [...]
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 […]
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 […]
realCYCLE Project
Whether we like it or not, plastic packaging will remain an integral part of our daily lives for a long time to come. However, the enormous consumption devours raw materials and energy – and leaves behind huge mountains of waste. The realCYCLE project aims to change this. Made possible by the Migros Pioneer Fund, it aims to understand and align the entire value chain of plastic packaging as a circular economy. A prerequisite for a […]
Design for Recycling Plastics
Most plastic packaging currently in circulation cannot be recycled or can only be recycled with great effort. Under constant observation and consideration of relevant activities in Europe, harmonized guidelines for the environmentally sound development and production of plastic products and packaging (Design for Recycling) are being developed and discussed. The goal is to ensure high-quality plastics with minimized pollutants. […]
Assessment of the recyclability of plastic packaging according to RecyClass(TM) criteria
Emmi AG is a leading Swiss company for high-quality dairy products. As part of the Swiss Resource Efficiency Network (Reffnet.ch), we advised Emmi on packaging design and circular economy, supporting them in finding a sustainable strategy for cheese packaging films, known as tubular bag films. For this purpose, tubular bag films made of two different material mixtures were examined and compared to […]
Guide to choosing materials for packaging fresh convenience products
Initial situation: Packaging fulfills a variety of functions. It not only protects food from spoilage and environmental influences, but also enables its distribution from the producer to the consumer. In addition, its ease of handling facilitates self-service at the point of sale. Packaging also serves as a carrier of legal and consumer-relevant information. At the same time, packaging burdens the environment both during […]
Reffnet case analysis of the ecological optimization potential of plastic cans
Oswald Nahrungsmittel GmbH is a company that distributes spice mixes, bouillons and sauces, as well as dessert ingredients and coffee. Typical for Oswald are the plastic can packaging. As part of the consulting provided by Reffnet, we collaborated with Carbotech AG to examine the packaging for its ecological optimization potential. It was important that the packaging [...]
Your Project
Interested in a project with realcycle? Our range of services for you is broad: from consulting and training to project design or assistance with the implementation of developed measures. With us, you get everything from a single source. We sit down with you, analyze and advise as equals. Together with you, we define a plan of action, support […]