Canton of Zurich focuses on raw material supply security
In the canton of Zurich, a cantonal popular initiative for the sustainable use of recyclable materials (circular-flow initiative) will soon be put to the vote. This focuses on consumption and thus only on a small part of the waste volume, writes the canton. However, it would like to focus on a holistic approach that covers the entire supply and value chain. The government council is therefore submitting a counter-proposal. This should also generate impulses for the Zurich economy.
Around two thirds of all waste in the canton of Zurich is collected separately and recycled. And when houses are demolished, around 80 percent of the mineral content (concrete, bricks, etc.) remains in the material cycle, according to the government. Nevertheless, around one million tons of material are still deposited in landfills every year, meaning that valuable resources are lost forever.
Closing material cycles more consistently
The so-called Circulation Initiative aims to make consumption more resource-conserving and to reduce the still large production of waste. The canton and the municipalities would have to create favorable framework conditions and incentives for this. They should ensure that "material cycles are increasingly closed and the waste of resources is put to an end".
Popular initiative too narrowly defined
For the government council, the thrust of the initiative is basically welcome, but the initiative text has weaknesses and is too narrow. The initiative focuses on consumption and thus primarily on the waste produced by consumers. However, this is only a small part of the total waste volume. A holistic approach is needed to effectively conserve natural resources. It is necessary to start where the cost-benefit ratio is best. For this reason, the government council proposes to the cantonal council to reject the popular initiative and to introduce a Counterproposal to decide.
Counterproposal addresses all areas of the material cycle
The government council's counter-proposal covers the entire supply and value chain, from production and consumption to waste. According to him, this has the advantage that major steps can be taken towards achieving the goal with economically compatible and socially acceptable measures. By addressing all areas of the material cycle, the counter-proposal also covers the production of goods and the construction industry.
Strengthening the resilience of the economy
The counter-proposal of the government council mandates the canton and municipalities to increasingly ensure the closure of material cycles and the careful handling of raw materials, materials and goods. According to the government council, this will lead to the promotion of innovations and private initiatives, which in its view will also have a positive impact on the business location of the canton of Zurich. This is because an economy with increased raw material supply security is more resistant to fluctuating raw material prices and international crises. At the same time, higher local employment and value creation would result, for example due to increased on-site repair services. Private development of environmentally friendly technologies with potential global application and government cycle-enhancing incentives can also give local firms international advantages, the executive further writes. Zurich companies would also benefit from material-efficient operations with better cost-benefit ratios, which would strengthen the overall competitiveness of Zurich's economy. (rs)
