KATCH_e in the 5th Cradle to Cradle Expert Talks, Vienna

Rainer Pamminger our KATCH_e project partner from the Technical University of Vienna (http://www.ecodesign.at) attended the 5th Cradle to Cradle Expert Talks which took place at the 16th May in Vienna.

About 100 experts and pioneers meet to exchange their views and experiences on circular economy and specifically on cradle to cradle.

After the opening Dr. Hugo-Maria Schally, from the Directorate General Environment, European Commission presented that in December 2015, the European Commission adopted an ambitious action plan on the transition towards a circular economy. The measures intend to keep the value of the products as high as possible, to minimise waste, to foster innovations and in there for to support European businesses.  In addition to the proposed measures at EU level, however, Member States, the economy and consumers must also be active in order to create this transition. Per definition Circular economy covers the entire life cycle of the products: from production and consumption (including reuse) to waste management (including recycling). This transition is financially supported by the European Structural and Investment Funds, which comprise € 5.5 billion for waste management. In addition, 650 million are funded projects within the scope of Horizon 2020 and for investments in circular economy at national level.

Next Albin Kälin, Managing Director of the EPEA Switzerland, further said that we need a paradigm shift in production towards cradle to cradle. Shortages of raw materials, vast amounts of garbage and toxins in everyday products demand a rethinking of industry and the economy. “Products were not developed for a closed loop. They contain composites which are difficult to separate and which are loaded with toxic substances. Today almost always a “downcycling” takes place, were the raw materials lose their quality during the recycling process.

Also Mag. Georg Kapsch, President of the Federation of Austrian Industries, confirms the interest of industry in a paradigm shift to secure the quality of raw materials for the coming generations.

In the second part the experiences and views of the experts have been discussed within specific areas like textiles, building materials, plastics, design, etc.

https://epeaswitzerland.com/event/5-cradle-to-cradle-expert-talks-vienna-a/