Future of Waste

We believe that waste is a failure of design. Should we start seeing it as an opportunity?

To shift something as complex as the way we perceive and use waste, we need to move beyond the outdated linear approach to consumption: take – make – waste.

The waste generation ecosystem has become so complex that it is challenging for an individual stakeholder to truly make a difference. There is no simple solution; everything is connected. We imagine a way forward by closing loops and building resilience through human-to-human connections across the corners of the ecosystem.

Paving our way from linear to circular economy. Together.

Why does it matter?

8 million tonnes

The amount of plastic per year leaked into the oceans according to Jambeck et al, 2015, source. The only way to handle this is to cut the pollution at the source.

€ 1.8 trillion

The net benefit Circular Economy could create by 2030 according to McKinsey, source. It is economically viable and offers new job and innovation opportunities.

3rd place

Switzerland’s position in the European ranking of waste production per capita, source. Only half of that is recycled and hardly any of it is used in Swiss production.

3 times

Today, Switzerland uses up three times the amount of resources it should aim to consume to stay within sustainable development goals. source, page 26

Our unique
vision &
approach

We envision a world in which waste is recognized as a resource. A world where sustainable consumption is accessible to all. A world where we are aligned with nature, so that we can preserve its beauty and diversity for future generations. Past experiences and culture prevent us from empathizing with other perspectives and visions. This tends to lock us into ineffective decision-making patterns which results in symptomatic solutions with limited, and often short-term, effect. Our approach is based on an innovative set of social transformation tools through which we seek to identify and tackle the root cause. Together.

Theory U

Theory U

Theory U is a guided process to reach a deeper understanding of a given system and to trigger momentum for systemic change. Developed by MIT, it has already catalyzed transformation for thousands of organizations and communities worldwide.

Stakeholder Dialogues

Stakeholder Dialogues

Inspired by collaboratio helvetica, a stakeholder dialogue is a space for deeper multi-stakeholder conversations than shift perspective from within and between the individuals involved.

Learn more on collaboratio helvetica’s website.

Here is where you come in

Check out our initiative

We are currently working on our first initiative in Arbon - Ostschweiz. You can read all about it on our initiative page.

Learn more →

Reach out to us

Are you a city, municipality, funder, business, or local stakeholder? We would love to find out how we can collaborate with you.

Learn more →

Sign up to stay in the loop



    We seek to connect unlikely allies and catalyze new collaborations

    Our Founders

    Boryana Milova

    Social entrepreneur and catalyst - Business innovation & Managing climate solutions

    Julia Bodin

    Social entrepreneur and catalyst - Environmental engineer

    Our Wisdom Council

    Darya Gerasimenko
    Darya Gerasimenko

    Academia

    Herman Gyr
    Herman Gyr

    Enterprise Development Group

    Nora Wilhem
    Nora Wilhem

    collaboratio helvetica

    Olmar Albers
    Olmar Albers

    Öbu

    Simone Alabor
    Simone Alabor

    Prisma

    Exploring
    Exploring

    Enterprise Development Group

    Meet our Partners