Upcycling - Valuables from unknown treasures!
Today, we present two very different suppliers who create new and valuable products from seemingly worthless resources.
A new lease on life for Swiss Post work clothes
Every year, Swiss Post distributes approximately 200 000 work clothes to its employees. Where do these garments come from and what happens to them when they have served their time?
Taking the future into one's own hands ...
... and help shape tomorrow's Switzerland! The «Atelier du Futur» is a project within the framework of the social commitment of the furniture anchored in the cooperative. The participants deal with pressing social issues. They are shown in a creative way how diverse the possibilities are to approach a topic and how easy it is to make a positive contribution yourself and to get involved.
Diverse teams have more success
An inclusive labour market enables all people to earn a living and participate in social life. At Oeko Service GmbH in Zurich, people with and without disabilities work together at eye level. The inclusive model close to the first labour market has been successfully implemented since 2019.
An entire municipality gone organic
Parks, meadows, grasslands and other green areas contribute greatly to improving the quality of life. As cities and urban areas become denser, protected natural spaces must find their place in urban development projects. Some urban and peri-urban areas are undertaking sustainable and innovative approaches to the management and maintenance of their green areas. The City of Lancy is a pioneering example in this field.
Making sustainability measurable
In cooperation with the UN, the Swiss Confederation is organising the next United Nations World Data Forum 2020, to be held in Bern from 18 to 21 October 2020. The Swiss Confederation is organizing, in collaboration with the UN, the next edition of the United Nations World Data Forum, to be held from 18 to 21 October 2020 in Bern.
Giving objects a second life
Anyone who subscribes to baby bodysuits instead of purchasing them and who willingly lets his high-end camera online, is part of a circular economy. This year, following projects participated in the WWF's Catalyzer program for resource-light business models. These projects pave the way towards an efficient and eco-friendly use of resources:
What will the marketplace of the future look like?
During Advent we enjoy Christmas markets and it becomes clear that there is much more to it than just buying goods. It's about the atmosphere, the opportunities to meet friends, the access to information, about memories, stories, and about culture. With the online marketplace Faircustomer, we explored the question of how a modern, sustainable marketplace can meet these needs - online and offline... Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
The first Cradle to Cradle book
Circular economy is one of the threads running through this Advent calendar. Today we present the first book, which was developed according to the the principles of Cradle to Cradle™. In cooperation with Epea Switzerland, the Vögeli printing company has improved its processes so that all materials such as printing ink, paper, coatings and glues used in print products are optimized for the natural cycle. This means that these products do not contain any toxic printing waste.
What if the youth involved in the climate strikes could speak directly to the corporate world?
Barely one year ago, 500 schoolchildren took part in the climate demonstration in the streets of Zurich, calling for more climate protection measures. It was the beginning of a movement that initially went almost unnoticed, but has been progressively gaining a lot of momentum. Meanwhile, millions of young people have mobilized worldwide. Countless projects sprouted in schools, universities and communities, which in turn have influenced elections and voting. How to proceed from here on? How can we reach a «level zero goal» regarding greenhouse gas emissions? Today, the initiators of the «BusinessForFuture» project will be available to answer these and many more questions in a live chat.
Car repairs : the smart alternatives
AXA wishes to pave the way for environmentally friendly and cost-saving car repairs. A pilot test with 14 partners showed that it is frequently worthwhile to repair minor damages, instead of renewing large areas. This pioneering trial reveals great potential for the entire auto industry.
Three SMEs act for climate protection
Did you know that coffee ground can be made into a plastic substitute? Or that raw earth formerly considered waste from constructions sites can be pressed into building blocks? Did you ever wish for your office to be closer to your home? The Swiss Climate Foundation uses taxes levied on CO2 emissions to provide funding for innovative projects. Many projects are thought leaders in their field with an enormous potential in saving energy and CO2.
A gold label for particularly energy-efficient communities
The "Energiestadt Gold" label is awarded to municipalities that are particularly committed to climate protection and to the efficient use of energy, such as the municipality of Reinach BL. Gold is omnipresent during the Christmas season and stands for something valuable and special.
Positive changes through sustainable, fair consumption ...
What do the ducks in the BabyCenter, the orange juice in the nursing home and the chocolate tasting for city employees have in common? These are examples of how Fairtrade Towns are gradually converting their consumption to fair trade and "seducing" their population to sustainable consumption. Take part. It always starts with one person...
A "Plan B" for hedgehogs, wild bees & Co.
Today we present three projects that show how you can promote biodiversity in the garden, on the balcony and in your city or community with a minimum of effort.
Focusing on the well-being of people and the environment
Recently, a workshop manager told us "now is the time for companies to open their hearts"... It is also the time for company parties, for appreciative words, for solidarity and gifts that express joy in good cooperation. What would an economy look like in which people would work all year round for the "good of man and nature"? We present three companies that have taken a closer look at this, described it and developed it further for their business according to the approach of "Gemeinwohloekonomie" (public welfare economics).
For the love of food
Did you plan the Christmas dinner yet? Is there still a company dinner planned? As we have already reported several times in the Advent calendar, about 30% of the food is thrown away. That doesn't have to be the case. The OGG is committed to a sustainable nutrition system and shows solutions - from the soil to processing to the Foodwaste Bankquett.
The new Procurement Act
Law is a dry subject, requiring time and patience. But this year there was a small sensation: The new procurement law was passed, after 12 years of intense work. The new law places more emphasis on quality rather than price competition and thus gives the public sector a great deal of leeway. You can find out why this is relevant in terms of sustainability and how cities such as Zurich and Bern proceed today in the chat with Marc Steiner and Sonja Gehrig.
Role models from today for tomorrow
In its Environmental Agenda, the Canton of Basel-Stadt presents local initiatives and people who are committed to a future-oriented world, and also provides a platform to draw attention to local environmental events.
Nuclear power plant Mühleberg off the grid - what now?
Today, 20 December 2019, marks a turning point in Swiss energy policy. The Mühleberg nuclear power plant is the first of five nuclear power plants to be shut down.
Using business as a force for good!
Everyday, you have a chance to vote. Every coffee you drink, every meal you eat, every piece of clothing you wear, every bank account you open represents an opportunity to vote for what you believe in. Demand more from the businesses you buy from, work for, invest in and vote everyday!
Sustainable learning? Learning for sustainability?
Today we introduce the new social platform Dumonda.Me, where you can ask questions about sustainability and get answers from a growing community of committed people. And we invite you to a journey to so former 'windows' about learning for sustainability in the advent calendar.
20 years in retrospect
The Advent calendar on sustainable development went online for the first time in 2000 - as a commission for Novatlantis, an ambitious project of the ETH Domain. Unfortunately, this first calendar is no longer online; however, we have browsed through the more than 400 "windows" for the following years, "wiped their windows a little" and tried to identify a few trends.
What do graffiti, concerts and a sneaker have to do with sustainability?
Today we present art projects on sustainability
