The circular economy is becoming an integral part of corporate strategies in Switzerland. The proportion of companies that have anchored it in their corporate strategy has risen from 11 to 27 per cent within four years. Large companies in particular are showing great dynamism. More than half of companies with over 250 employees have already anchored it in their corporate strategy. Medium-sized companies follow with 39 per cent, while smaller companies lag far behind with 23 per cent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Implementation remains fragmented Focus on energy instead of value chains Sector and regional comparison Political and legal framework Circular economy as an issue for the future The circular economy has arrived in the Swiss corporate world, at least on paper. While the strategic anchoring is increasing significantly, the consistent implementation with investments, activities and sales contributions is lagging behind. The latest status report from Bern University of Applied Sciences and KOF shows progress, but also gaps.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":140069,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","inline_featured_image":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22697,12476,22698,22433],"tags":[12525,12526,19415,12847,12528,18573,12586,54619],"class_list":["post-140138","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-company","category-immonews","category-sustainability","category-trends-en","tag-immoinvest-en","tag-immonews-en","tag-kreislaufwirtschaft-en","tag-nachhaltigkeit-en","tag-news-en","tag-ressourceneffizienz-en","tag-schweiz-en","tag-unternehmensstrategien-en","pmpro-has-access"],"acf":{"bild_mit_ki_erstellt_worden":[],"lead":"The circular economy has arrived in the Swiss corporate world, at least on paper. While the strategic anchoring is increasing significantly, the consistent implementation with investments, activities and sales contributions is lagging behind. The latest status report from Bern University of Applied Sciences and KOF shows progress, but also gaps.","autor":"Quelle: KOF","ort":"","bildunterschrift":"","bild_im_grid":false,"gallerie":"","newsim":""},"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t
<\/strong>Despite clear progress in strategic awareness, operational implementation remains subdued. Only 15 per cent of companies generate more than ten per cent of their turnover with circular products, after only a marginal increase since 2020. Companies are similarly reluctant to invest. Only seven per cent invest more than ten per cent of their funds in circular economy measures. The breadth of activities is also limited, with only a few measures on average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Companies implement measures relating to energy consumption or the switch<\/span> to renewable energies particularly frequently. Activities along the supply chains or in the use of raw materials are much rarer, even though these would be key levers for resource efficiency. According to study author Tobias Stucki, this means that a lot of potential is being wasted, especially as current geopolitical risks are once again putting dependence on raw materials centre stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>There are striking differences between the sectors. Companies from the telecommunications, electronics and medical technology sectors are particularly active. Construction, real estate<\/span> and personal services remain in the early stages of transformation. The regional picture is also mixed. Central and Eastern Switzerland lead the way in terms of strategic anchoring, while Ticino remains at the bottom. It is worth noting, however, that Ticino companies perform well above average in terms of their share of turnover with circular products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Politicians have significantly expanded the framework conditions for the circular economy in recent years. It has been explicitly enshrined in the Environmental Protection Act since 1 January 2025. This has shifted the focus of resource conservation beyond waste management. Cantons such as Zurich and Bern have set the course with referendums and strategies. Zurich adopted a comprehensive circular economy strategy, while Bern anchored the objective in government guidelines and a new sectoral waste plan. Other cantons such as Basel-Stadt, Geneva and Vaud are also pushing ahead with their own initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>The study clearly shows that the strategic relevance of the circular economy is increasing in Switzerland. Nevertheless, consistent implementation remains largely limited to initial steps. The transition to a circular economy requires massive investment, far-reaching changes in supply chains and new forms of cooperation. This is the only way to ensure that the circular economy does not remain just lip service, but becomes a central pillar for the climate, resources and competitiveness.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"