Cricular materials
In light of the three-pronged planetary crisis—climate change, environmental pollution, and biodiversity loss—the way we manage and source materials is both a driver of this crisis and an essential part of its solution. At Empa, we are therefore investigating how the circular economy can be strengthened to help address these global challenges.
How many materials are part of our everyday lives, and what happens to them when we no longer need them? At this booth for the whole family, children and adults alike can immerse themselves in the world of the circular economy, recycling, and waste innovation.
Discover why our consumption of resources is putting a strain on the Earth, and how research can help us live sustainably within planetary boundaries. Empa researchers will demonstrate how old items are transformed into new ones, ensuring that materials remain in the cycle, and what role new technologies, smart use, and a different approach to waste play in this process.
There’s plenty for kids to try out: Old coins and vinegar can be used to make small batteries, and those who successfully tinker can take an inspirational ride in a vehicle made from discarded e-scooters. At the art table, imagination and ideas are called for: Inspired by the Empa children’s book *Zukunfts(K)reise*, children and parents design their vision of a circular economy.
An interactive science booth for anyone who wants to learn how our lives can become more sustainable, resource-efficient, and creative.
Further information:
Measuring the doughnut
Zukunfts(K)reise
Empa at the Scientifica 2026
