New recycling centre to become a pioneering project in the circular economy
The city of Zurich is planning to replace the disused Hagenholz recycling centre with a new recycling centre. The building is designed as a pilot project for circular construction. The city intends to invest 33.1 million Swiss francs in the project. The voters will decide on the realisation.
The city of Zurich wants to build a new recycling centre on the Juch site in Zurich-Altstetten. The estimated investment for the project is CHF 29.95 million. An additional CHF 3.15 million will be required to transfer the Juch site from the city’s financial assets to its administrative assets. Due to the high sum, there will be a referendum on the realisation of the project, the city administration announced in a press release.
The replacement for the Hagenholz recycling centre, which will close in 2024, is designed as a pioneering project for the circular economy. The underlying design by Graber Pulver Architekten AG envisages the use of steel girders, concrete slabs and trapezoidal sheet metal from dismantled buildings, including the Hagenholz recycling centre. Wherever possible, the construction systems and materials used should be demountable and separable.
The operating concept also emphasises sustainability. The passing on, repair and reprocessing of consignments are therefore the main focus. The reprocessing of materials comes second. Only what is not suitable for this is sent for incineration in the waste recycling plant. Delivery should be possible on foot, by bicycle, car and larger transport vehicles.
Subject to approval by the electorate, construction is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2026. The centre could be operational from the fourth quarter. Until then, the temporary Looächer recycling centre in Zurich-Affoltern will remain in operation.