«Long live our objects !»
14 organizations join forces to support an ambitious circular economy
Press Release
Bern, October 10, 2022 – A coalition consisting of fourteen organizations from the French-speaking, Italian-speaking, and German-speaking regions of Switzerland has been launched to promote the transition to a large-scale circular economy in Switzerland. Associazione consumatrici e consumatori della Svizzera italiana, APRÈS, the Swiss Association of Arts and Crafts, Circular Economy Switzerland, the Romand Federation of Consumers, Gemeinwohl-Ökonomie Schweiz, Greenpeace Switzerland, Impact Hub Switzerland, NoOPS.ch, Pro Natura, sanu durabilitas, swisscleantech, Travail.Suisse, and WWF Switzerland are joining forces today to support the establishment of favorable federal framework conditions and encourage economic actors to develop their offerings. Extending the lifespan of consumer products offers ecological, economic, and social benefits.
Switzerland lags behind in the implementation of a true circular economy, which is essential to preserve our resources. Repair, reuse, and refurbishment are still far from being top priorities in our country, which primarily focuses on waste sorting and valorization. However, the circular economy is not limited to recycling; it does not, in fact, reduce resource overconsumption or its considerable impact on the environment and climate. It is necessary to consider the entire lifecycle of a product and means to extend its use from the very design stage. Today, eco-design is still the exception, and consumers face numerous obstacles in their efforts to prolong the lifespan of their possessions.
Recognizing this situation, fourteen stakeholders from across Switzerland who are eager to drive change have come together in the coalition “Long live our objects !” Its official launch took place on October 10, 2022, in Bern, just steps away from the Federal Palace. At the end of October, discussions will resume in the National Council’s Committee on the Environment, Spatial Planning, and Energy (CEATE-N) on the revision of the Environmental Protection Act. The coalition members support this project, which could embed the development of the circular economy in the law. They even wish for it to be more ambitious. The text lacks, among other things, precision, incentives for re-use, quantified objectives, and control mechanisms.
Therefore, under a giant tree symbolizing longevity and diversity in circular strategies, Associazione consumatrici e consumatori della Svizzera italiana, APRÈS, the Swiss Association of Arts and Crafts, Circular Economy Switzerland, the Romand Federation of Consumers, Gemeinwohl Ökonomie, Greenpeace Switzerland, Impact Hub, NoOPS.ch, Pro Natura, sanu durabilitas, swisscleantech, Travail.Suisse, and WWF Switzerland have presented their objectives. Four main axes emerge: a commitment to extending the lifespan of consumer goods, working towards the establishment of a legal framework, providing consumers with easy and affordable access to repair and reuse, and supporting and promoting circular economy actors and commitments within Swiss companies.
This new coalition, which welcomes new members, plans to undertake joint political actions, engage in dialogue with economic actors, and communicate with the general public. The circular economy must become a priority to enable sustainable consumption that respects planetary boundaries.
Additional Information :
Contacts
- Sophie Michaud Gigon, Fédération romande des consommateurs, +41 77 434 64 08, s.michaudgigon@frc.ch (FR/DE)
- Joëlle Hérin, Greenpeace Suisse, +41 79 256 32 65, joelle.herin@greenpeace.org (FR/DE)
- Nils Moussu, sanu durabilitas, +41 78 848 71 46, nils.moussu@sanudurabilitas.ch (FR)
- Thomas Putallaz, NoOPS.ch, +41 79 417 09 69, info@noops.ch (FR)
- Christophe Barman, Association suisse des arts et métiers (ASAM), +41 79 462 51 44, cbarman@loyco.ch (FR)
- Marco Grossmann, member of the Circular Economy Switzerland and Swisscleantech commitee, 061 205 10 10, marco.grossmann@ecos.ch (DE)
