Decision Support System for Reuse Material Storage Network

AI Quick Summary

Development of an innovative decision-support tool to define an optimal location for intermediate storage centers for reused materials, aiming to structure the industry on a cantonal scale as a CCDC and nationally, in collaboration with the öbu association. Challenge in the circular construction industryThe lack of intermediary logistics centers for reused components in Switzerland is a major obstacle to the development of these sectors, particularly in terms of matching supply and demand. To ensure their successful structuring, it is crucial to establish precise criteria for the strategic siting of these centers, and to include their location in cantonal and/or municipal planning. This will optimize the economic viability of reuse and accelerate its adoption by construction professionals.Vision and innovationWe propose a practical approach aimed at economic players and public authorities to :Support decisions based on concrete criteria in identifying sites suitable for intermediate reuse logisticsBuild a cantonal and then national logistics networkEnsure adaptation to changing material flowsThe innovation lies in the development of a multi-criteria evaluation tool based on a rigorous methodology that combines a set of criteria with a dynamic weighting system. These elements will be developed in collaboration with the project partners.This approach allows for progressive development:Initial phase: validation of the model on the scale of the canton of VaudExpansion phase: making the tool available to other cantonsMaturity phase: optimization of the national networkImpactOur innovation tool will be deployed to a wide range of key players:Reuse actors: optimizing their activitiesPublic authorities: sustainable territorial planningSite owners: new recovery opportunitiesThe construction industry: easier access to reused materialsThis approach guarantees maximum impact in three areas:Environmental impact:Significant and immediate reduction in GHG emissions through logistics optimizationEconomicimpact : New , innovative business models thanks to critical mass and synergies between activities.Societal impact: Development of local skills and strengthening of territorial resilience.Work planOur experimental and iterative approach includes :Phase 1: Collaborative development (3 months)Co-creation sessions within the CCDC reuse working groupIn-depth analysis of material flows, including synergy with recycling activitiesCreation of decision tree with evolving weighting systemPhase 2: Experimentation and validation (3 months)Iterative testing of the decision tree on pilot sites with our implementation partner and interested CCDC membersValidation of replicable modelFinal deliverables :Validated and adaptable functional prototypeProgressive implementation methodologyEvolution guide and scenariosPre-testingAs part of the dialogue between the CCDC and the State of Vaud, the value of a systematic approach to the organization of the reuse sector was identified. This preliminary reflection confirmed the relevance of developing such a decision-making tool, which has never been undertaken before.TeamOur multidisciplinary team embodies the diversity required for systemic innovation:CCDC (ConstructionVaud):Innovation catalyst: diversified network of players, synergies between academia and industryExpert in sustainable construction: training of professionals and observatory of practicesStrong local roots: development of pilot projects and support for the emergence of new local skills.Role: Project coordination, mobilization of local players and steering of working groupsCIRCULARCH :Circular economy expertisePractical experience in reuse logisticsNational feedbackRole: Production of a prototype decision tree (exhaustive list of criteria, prioritization, weighting, etc.)DGE-GEODE :Regulatory expertiseTerritorial vision and synergy with sectoral planningRole: Methodology implementation partnerHEIG-VD - Institut interdisciplinaire du Développement de l'entreprise :Academic experience and expertise in territorial modeling and reverse logisticsParticipation in reuse-related projectsRole: Academic partner who will provide technical expertise to ensure the tool's operational robustness, in line with the state of the art.Third-party fundingThird-party funding of CHF 2,000 will be sought from CCDC members and partners interested in studying their potential storage sites. This approach combines the financial commitment of economic players with the early identification of pilot sites for experimentation, demonstrating the practical relevance of our systemic innovation approach.

Project Idea Metadata

• Project Idea Name: Decision Support System for Reuse Material Storage Network
• Date: 4/6/2025 9:03:30 PM
• Administrators:
  • Sylvain Braine

Project Idea Description

Challenge in the circular construction industry

The lack of intermediary logistics centers for reused components in Switzerland is a major obstacle to the development of these sectors, particularly in terms of matching supply and demand. To ensure their successful structuring, it is crucial to establish precise criteria for the strategic siting of these centers, and to include their location in cantonal and/or municipal planning. This will optimize the economic viability of reuse and accelerate its adoption by construction professionals.

Vision and innovation

We propose a practical approach aimed at economic players and public authorities to :

• Support decisions based on concrete criteria in identifying sites suitable for intermediate reuse logistics
• Build a cantonal and then national logistics network
• Ensure adaptation to changing material flows

The innovation lies in the development of a multi-criteria evaluation tool based on a rigorous methodology that combines a set of criteria with a dynamic weighting system. These elements will be developed in collaboration with the project partners.

This approach allows for progressive development:

• Initial phase: validation of the model on the scale of the canton of Vaud
• Expansion phase: making the tool available to other cantons
• Maturity phase: optimization of the national network

Impact

Our innovation tool will be deployed to a wide range of key players:

• Reuse actors: optimizing their activities
• Public authorities: sustainable territorial planning
• Site owners: new recovery opportunities
• The construction industry: easier access to reused materials

This approach guarantees maximum impact in three areas:

• Environmental impact:Significant and immediate reduction in GHG emissions through logistics optimization
• Economicimpact : New , innovative business models thanks to critical mass and synergies between activities.
• Societal impact: Development of local skills and strengthening of territorial resilience.

Work plan

Our experimental and iterative approach includes :

Phase 1: Collaborative development (3 months)

• Co-creation sessions within the CCDC reuse working group
• In-depth analysis of material flows, including synergy with recycling activities
• Creation of decision tree with evolving weighting system

Phase 2: Experimentation and validation (3 months)

• Iterative testing of the decision tree on pilot sites with our implementation partner and interested CCDC members
• Validation of replicable model

Final deliverables :

• Validated and adaptable functional prototype
• Progressive implementation methodology
• Evolution guide and scenarios

Pre-testing

As part of the dialogue between the CCDC and the State of Vaud, the value of a systematic approach to the organization of the reuse sector was identified. This preliminary reflection confirmed the relevance of developing such a decision-making tool, which has never been undertaken before.

Team

Our multidisciplinary team embodies the diversity required for systemic innovation:

CCDC (ConstructionVaud):

• Innovation catalyst: diversified network of players, synergies between academia and industry
• Expert in sustainable construction: training of professionals and observatory of practices
• Strong local roots: development of pilot projects and support for the emergence of new local skills.
• Role: Project coordination, mobilization of local players and steering of working groups

CIRCULARCH :

• Circular economy expertise
• Practical experience in reuse logistics
• National feedback
• Role: Production of a prototype decision tree (exhaustive list of criteria, prioritization, weighting, etc.)

DGE-GEODE :

• Regulatory expertise
• Territorial vision and synergy with sectoral planning
• Role: Methodology implementation partner

HEIG-VD - Institut interdisciplinaire du Développement de l'entreprise :

• Academic experience and expertise in territorial modeling and reverse logistics
• Participation in reuse-related projects
• Role: Academic partner who will provide technical expertise to ensure the tool's operational robustness, in line with the state of the art.

Third-party funding

Third-party funding of CHF 2,000 will be sought from CCDC members and partners interested in studying their potential storage sites. This approach combines the financial commitment of economic players with the early identification of pilot sites for experimentation, demonstrating the practical relevance of our systemic innovation approach.

Development of an innovative decision-support tool to define an optimal location for intermediate storage centers for reused materials, aiming to structure the industry on a cantonal scale as a CCDC and nationally, in collaboration with the öbu association.