REUSE Yards - Harvest the Urban for Circular Re-Construction

AI Quick Summary

In collaboration with local disposal sites and demolition companies, reuse yards alongside their recycling yards will be established as a pioneering solution for the interim storage of used materials, particularly windows. These yards will thus be integrated into an existing decentralized system for material collection and urban harvesting. The pilot disseminates the basis for establishing an efficient process for the reuse of building components in Switzerland to support a system transition towards CE. What problem would you like to solve? The non-profit association RE-WIN was recently founded, to explore practical ways to transition the construction industry from linear to circular economy in the reconstruction of crisis areas, as well as in Switzerland. In response to the war in Ukraine, RE-WIN's re-use building experts initiated the "Windows for Ukraine" initiative, merging the goals of reducing CO2 emissions in Switzerland with addressing the urgent need for windows in Ukraine. Replacing windows is a multibillion business in Switzerland. It is responsible for a big amount of CO2 emissions and waste. The potential for reclaiming high-quality windows with double or triple glazing is substantial. Switzerland installs approximately 1.8 million windows annually, often replacing ones with relatively short lifespans. Some have never even been used, many have had a first life cycle of less than 20 years. This presents opportunities not only for remanufacturing, altering, recycling, but even direct re-use both domestically and in Ukraine.The project aims to prevent reusable windows and other construction materials from being discarded prematurely, maximizing their qualitative value and life span. To do so, it aims to tackle the challenge of collecting, logistics and storing of used materials, aligning reuse and recycling in a harmonious manner. The goal is to streamline the re-use process and thus contribute to a solution for the circular construction sub-process of harvesting.How would you like to go about? Together with disposal yard operators, demolition companies and window manufacturers, the initiative aims to pilot and refine the Re-Use Yard. A decentralized system of collection points for reusable materials (particularly windows) alongside recycling centres and disposal yards. Presumably central to the sorting and ensuring minimal losses will be a mechanism to separate reusable materials from those destined for recycling or disposal directly on-site. A collection and transport unit is required to divert the re-usable materials on site from the recyclable and disposable. During the pilot phase, the collected materials will be dedicated to the benefit of emergency aid in Ukraine but forming a basis for establishing the re-use yard and making it accessible and scalable throughout Switzerland.Who will benefit from your solution and how?The Initiative stands to yield multiple benefits:Local trades will benefit as the solution is based on established and local stakeholders, fostering economic stability in the transition to a circular economy. Furthermore, service-oriented and low-skilled jobs will be created.Owners, investors, and the construction sector at large stand to profit by lowering its carbon footprint and reducing waste, aligning with sustainability goals and regulations.Manufacturers gain access to low-carbon, local, fair, and reusable resources, and components, enhancing the sustainability and competitiveness of their products. It enables exchange between actors and facilitators of the architectural field and construction industry. Society as a whole benefits from slowing down climate change, promoting social equity, and future-proofing the economy.Overall, this solution expects to be an impactful hack into the established procedure of the linear economy, unlocking the potential of closing cycles. Who are the existing persons/companies in your team and what is their role? RE-WIN is a non-profit organization with an interdisciplinary team in the construction sector. Together with partners in Switzerland and Ukraine, we develop strategies and processes to establish circular economy principles in crisis areas, as well as in Switzerland. RE-WIN (NPO) (Lead Organization): Amman, Regine (Senior Operation Manager & Corporate developer for Swiss Re): Advisor - Process & Business DevelopmentBuser, Barbara (Re-use Entrepreneur): Core Team – Concept & Development + Advisor for Process & Business DevelopmentDillmann, Félix (RE-WIN Admin): Core Team - Project LeadEgger, Simon (RE-USE Project Developer Zirkulie & Artist) & Grandjean, Nicolas (Architect & Lecturer Uni FR): Advisor - Practical knowledge for the operation of Windows logistics and storageSchneider, Michelle (Architect & Researcher ZHAW): Core Team - Expert knowledge on circular windowsStirnimann, Daniel (Civil Engineer & Former MD MC-Bauchemie AG): Advisor - Business Development + Coordination of windows and communication to UkraineOur implementation partners ensure the ability to execute as they provide the competence and knowledge of experts, including value chain stakeholders. Both are logistic companies and Recycling Centres:Moser-Recyclingcenter AG (St. Gallen): Moser, Robert (Managing Director): Implementation Partner and operator of Urban MineLötscher Logistik AG (Lucerne)Zimmermann, Hubert (Managing Director): Implementation Partner and operator of Urban MineDiverse Window Manufacturers: (Building Craftsmen): Deconstruction for re-use and technical knowledge about Material How does your challenge have a positive impact on the planet (e.g., material reduction, CO2 emission reduction)? By giving materials and components multiple life cycles, it significantly reduces the waste stream of the Swiss construction industry, lessening the burden on landfills. Furthermore, by reducing the need for primary resources, it contributes to the conservation of natural resources and helps preserve the environment. Lastly, the solution effectively reduces CO2 emissions, aligning with global efforts for a sustainable construction industry.Has your idea been tested before? RE-WIN collected and distributed successfully more than 4200 windows. It has currently 900 windows in stock and has the commission for approx. 2000 windows in the next 6 months, letting only assume the vast potential of scalability. All the collected windows are minimum double- and hundreds even triple glazed isolation glass. RE-WINs volunteers are operating 3 collection storages in Bern, Basel and Lichtenstein. What is new now is that we plan a systematic approach within the established system and together with key stakeholders in waste management.What are you planning on working on throughout the booster (e.g., developing the business model, building an initial prototype, material for prototyping, etc.)? We will:test and develop the suggested material flow and supply chain for re-used windows.evaluate availability of re-used materials, particular windows through scalability, and thus explore market potential. evaluate costs as a basis to subsequently develop scalable business models.calculate potential CO2 savings.build and test a prototype of the reuse tray.What will you deliver at the end of the booster? At the conclusion of the booster program, we will provide a prototype of the re-use yard, including: Data on the quantity, sizes, and quality of potential available windows and material streams.Technical, logistical, spacial and personal requirements for the operation of a re-use yard.Cost calculations for the recovery of reusable windows and potential supply chain framework for efficient material collection ready for re-use.Furthermore, we will show the potential for:Measurable impact on the environment through carbon savings.Effective impact on the economy in short and midterm as supporting new branches for the building industry, the creation of jobs and potentials for CE.Measurable impact on health, wellbeing and living conditions of human beings through reduction of CO2-emissions.What are you expecting from the booster (e.g., looking for specific partners, expert support, etc.)? Connect with other partners, experts and initiators for Circular Economy Models to strengthen and contribute to a broad network and ecosystem for open innovation.Receiving support in the development of a scalable prototypeSeeking further partners to enrich the inter- and transdisciplinarity to successfully develop pioneering solutions for CE.How will you attract the 3rd party funding (10% of the total funding amount)? As re-use next to recycling becomes a required and promising potential for urban mining, the Implementation partners have agreed to invest the 3rd party funding.

Project Idea Metadata

Project Idea Name: REUSE Yards - Harvest the Urban for Circular Re-Construction
Date: 3/14/2024 11:48:16 AM
Administrators:
- Félix Dillmann

Project Idea Description

What problem would you like to solve?

The non-profit association RE-WIN was recently founded, to explore practical ways to transition the construction industry from linear to circular economy in the reconstruction of crisis areas, as well as in Switzerland. In response to the war in Ukraine, RE-WIN's re-use building experts initiated the "Windows for Ukraine" initiative, merging the goals of reducing CO2 emissions in Switzerland with addressing the urgent need for windows in Ukraine.

Replacing windows is a multibillion business in Switzerland. It is responsible for a big amount of CO2 emissions and waste. The potential for reclaiming high-quality windows with double or triple glazing is substantial. Switzerland installs approximately 1.8 million windows annually, often replacing ones with relatively short lifespans. Some have never even been used, many have had a first life cycle of less than 20 years. This presents opportunities not only for remanufacturing, altering, recycling, but even direct re-use both domestically and in Ukraine.

The project aims to prevent reusable windows and other construction materials from being discarded prematurely, maximizing their qualitative value and life span. To do so, it aims to tackle the challenge of collecting, logistics and storing of used materials, aligning reuse and recycling in a harmonious manner. The goal is to streamline the re-use process and thus contribute to a solution for the circular construction sub-process of harvesting.

How would you like to go about?

Together with disposal yard operators, demolition companies and window manufacturers, the initiative aims to pilot and refine the Re-Use Yard. A decentralized system of collection points for reusable materials (particularly windows) alongside recycling centres and disposal yards. Presumably central to the sorting and ensuring minimal losses will be a mechanism to separate reusable materials from those destined for recycling or disposal directly on-site. A collection and transport unit is required to divert the re-usable materials on site from the recyclable and disposable.

During the pilot phase, the collected materials will be dedicated to the benefit of emergency aid in Ukraine but forming a basis for establishing the re-use yard and making it accessible and scalable throughout Switzerland.

Who will benefit from your solution and how?

The Initiative stands to yield multiple benefits:

Local trades will benefit as the solution is based on established and local stakeholders, fostering economic stability in the transition to a circular economy. Furthermore, service-oriented and low-skilled jobs will be created.
Owners, investors, and the construction sector at large stand to profit by lowering its carbon footprint and reducing waste, aligning with sustainability goals and regulations.
Manufacturers gain access to low-carbon, local, fair, and reusable resources, and components, enhancing the sustainability and competitiveness of their products. It enables exchange between actors and facilitators of the architectural field and construction industry.
Society as a whole benefits from slowing down climate change, promoting social equity, and future-proofing the economy.

Overall, this solution expects to be an impactful hack into the established procedure of the linear economy, unlocking the potential of closing cycles.

Who are the existing persons/companies in your team and what is their role?

RE-WIN is a non-profit organization with an interdisciplinary team in the construction sector. Together with partners in Switzerland and Ukraine, we develop strategies and processes to establish circular economy principles in crisis areas, as well as in Switzerland.

RE-WIN (NPO) (Lead Organization):

Amman, Regine (Senior Operation Manager & Corporate developer for Swiss Re): Advisor - Process & Business Development
Buser, Barbara (Re-use Entrepreneur): Core Team – Concept & Development + Advisor for Process & Business Development
Dillmann, Félix (RE-WIN Admin): Core Team - Project Lead
Egger, Simon (RE-USE Project Developer Zirkulie & Artist) & Grandjean, Nicolas (Architect & Lecturer Uni FR): Advisor - Practical knowledge for the operation of Windows logistics and storage
Schneider, Michelle (Architect & Researcher ZHAW): Core Team - Expert knowledge on circular windows
Stirnimann, Daniel (Civil Engineer & Former MD MC-Bauchemie AG): Advisor - Business Development + Coordination of windows and communication to Ukraine

Our implementation partners ensure the ability to execute as they provide the competence and knowledge of experts, including value chain stakeholders. Both are logistic companies and Recycling Centres:

Moser-Recyclingcenter AG (St. Gallen):

Moser, Robert (Managing Director): Implementation Partner and operator of Urban Mine

Lötscher Logistik AG (Lucerne)

Zimmermann, Hubert (Managing Director): Implementation Partner and operator of Urban Mine

Diverse Window Manufacturers:

(Building Craftsmen): Deconstruction for re-use and technical knowledge about Material

How does your challenge have a positive impact on the planet (e.g., material reduction, CO2 emission reduction)?

By giving materials and components multiple life cycles, it significantly reduces the waste stream of the Swiss construction industry, lessening the burden on landfills. Furthermore, by reducing the need for primary resources, it contributes to the conservation of natural resources and helps preserve the environment. Lastly, the solution effectively reduces CO2 emissions, aligning with global efforts for a sustainable construction industry.

Has your idea been tested before?

RE-WIN collected and distributed successfully more than 4200 windows. It has currently 900 windows in stock and has the commission for approx. 2000 windows in the next 6 months, letting only assume the vast potential of scalability. All the collected windows are minimum double- and hundreds even triple glazed isolation glass. RE-WINs volunteers are operating 3 collection storages in Bern, Basel and Lichtenstein. What is new now is that we plan a systematic approach within the established system and together with key stakeholders in waste management.

What are you planning on working on throughout the booster (e.g., developing the business model, building an initial prototype, material for prototyping, etc.)?

We will:

test and develop the suggested material flow and supply chain for re-used windows.
evaluate availability of re-used materials, particular windows through scalability, and thus explore market potential.
evaluate costs as a basis to subsequently develop scalable business models.
calculate potential CO2 savings.
build and test a prototype of the reuse tray.

What will you deliver at the end of the booster?

At the conclusion of the booster program, we will provide a prototype of the re-use yard, including:

Data on the quantity, sizes, and quality of potential available windows and material streams.
Technical, logistical, spacial and personal requirements for the operation of a re-use yard.
Cost calculations for the recovery of reusable windows and potential supply chain framework for efficient material collection ready for re-use.

Furthermore, we will show the potential for:

Measurable impact on the environment through carbon savings.
Effective impact on the economy in short and midterm as supporting new branches for the building industry, the creation of jobs and potentials for CE.
Measurable impact on health, wellbeing and living conditions of human beings through reduction of CO2-emissions.

What are you expecting from the booster (e.g., looking for specific partners, expert support, etc.)?

Connect with other partners, experts and initiators for Circular Economy Models to strengthen and contribute to a broad network and ecosystem for open innovation.
Receiving support in the development of a scalable prototype
Seeking further partners to enrich the inter- and transdisciplinarity to successfully develop pioneering solutions for CE.

How will you attract the 3rd party funding (10% of the total funding amount)?

As re-use next to recycling becomes a required and promising potential for urban mining, the Implementation partners have agreed to invest the 3^rd party funding.