Figure 9. Annual turnover of the waste collection industry in Estonia from 2013 to 2022, million euros [36]
In the field of energy, Estonia emphasizes the development of RE sources. In 2022, more than 40% of the produced electricity came from renewable sources, including biomass and wind power plants. Waste-to-energy technologies, such as biogas plants that convert organic waste into biogas, are in active use. Such technologies contribute to the reduction.
This has a counterpart among the industrial companies in Estonia, with a bright example being Enefit Green, active in industrial waste usage for biomass and RE production. In 2023, the company was recycling organic waste in remarkable volumes that contributed to considerably lowering the environmental footprint of its production and improving circularity metrics.
Meanwhile, Estonian companies and startups also have contributions in regard to CE solutions. As one example, Polymer Deka has focused on the recycling of plastic waste; a developed technology allows converting plastic waste into new construction materials that make production with a low carbon footprint. EcoTree is another such startup processing wood waste to make environmentally friendly construction materials.
Education and public awareness help further the CE within Estonia. In 2021, the National Environmental Education Plan was adopted, also including programs of citizens’ and entrepreneurs’ education on principles of sustainable consumption and waste management. The initiatives also include waste separation campaigns, as well as educational programs for raising the level of awareness about the CE principles.
Thus, Estonia illustrates successful integration of the CE at all levels, from government policies to corporate initiatives. Implementation of environmental innovations, increase in recycling rates, and sustainable consumption, together with active engagement of citizens, enables the country not only to hold high positions in environmental sustainability rankings but also to contribute substantially to the global struggle against climate change. However, meeting the overall sustainable development targets set by the EU remains an ongoing task.
1.2.2. Switzerland
Switzerland is one of the world leaders in the field of CE, showing very high indexes of waste recycling, use of resources in a friendly to environment way, and implementation of newest technologies [37]. This is a small but highly developed country that actively applies the comprehensive approach based on strict legislation, state support, and ecological consciousness of the population. The EPI reached 100 in 2024 for the waste recycling rate, which means that Switzerland’s waste management system is truly effective and corresponds to the highest international standards.
Switzerland started creating the very foundation of its CE back in the 1980s when the first laws aimed at waste minimization and recycling were introduced. A key step was the adoption of the 1983 Environmental Protection Act, which set strict standards for the handling of household, industrial, and hazardous waste. In 2001, the Waste Disposal Act came into effect, effectively banning the burial of unsorted waste. All waste must be either recycled or sent for energy recovery. These legislative measures, based on modern technologies, presupposed the recycling of domestic waste and the reprocessing of the rest by heat, which practically excluded the use of landfills.
Switzerland possesses probably the most effective system of separating garbage in the world. In the country, citizens are obliged to sort garbage, separating paper, glass, plastic, metals, and organic waste, which are then sent to recycling [38]. The glass recycling rate reaches 95%, the plastic packaging is recycled at a rate of 82%, and the recycling rate for aluminum and steel is over 90%. Organic waste makes up a large part of recyclable waste, and half of it is utilized in the production of biogas and compost, which diminishes greenhouse gas emissions and encourages local agriculture.
The high rate of success in Switzerland is also based on active public involvement. Education in Switzerland starts at the elementary school level, where principles of waste separation and sustainable consumption are taught to children. The active adult population supports all environmental initiatives, taking an active part in recycling programs and choosing products in an environmentally friendly way. Such a culture contributes not only to a high rate of recycling but also to the development of the market of recycled materials.
Real estate in Switzerland plays a significant role in the country’s sustainable economy, with environmental aspects becoming an integral part of property management. Sustainability principles are being actively implemented throughout all stages of a building’s life cycle, from design and construction to operation and renovation. Zurich Invest, one of the leading players in the real estate market, underlines the importance of eco-friendly solutions with a focus on energy efficiency, reduction of CO₂ emissions, and minimization of resource consumption.
One of the main strategies is building and managing buildings that meet the Minergie standards and other environmental certifications. These would reduce the energy consumption of buildings through modern insulation technologies, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, and integration of RE sources such as solar panels. More than one-third of the global demand for energy and about 40% of the CO2 emissions can be traced to buildings. In Switzerland, buildings produce 26% of greenhouse gas emissions. According to Zurich Invest, 95% of their portfolio in real estate has already been certified according to ecological standards or is under consideration for it; this again attests to the commitment towards sustainable development.
Moreover, special attention is drawn to the renovation of old buildings by substantially enhancing energy efficiency. New projects involve eco-friendly materials to reduce not only carbon footprint but also to maintain a healthy living environment.
Green areas also need to be integrated into the development. Green roofs, urban gardens, and rainwater collection systems not only clean the air but also ease the burden on city infrastructure, adding to climate change adaptation. These measures contribute to the CE by supporting a closed-loop system of resource use.
Zurich Invest’s global goal is to achieve climate-neutral real estate construction by 2050 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030 (fig.10).
Figure 10. Zurich invest’s strategy for reducing carbon footprint [39]
Thus, Switzerland demonstrates how real estate can become a driver of sustainable development by minimizing environmental impact and improving quality of life. Examples such as Zurich Invest show that environmental approaches in property management not only contribute to environmental protection but also represent economically advantageous solutions, creating value for both owners and society as a whole.
Switzerland is one of the leading countries in the CE, and such success may be attributed to several important factors. First, the achievements of Switzerland are driven by its very developed recycling infrastructure. That country invests heavily in cutting-edge technologies and infrastructure projects for the purpose of reusing materials after recycling them as effectively as possible. The scope of waste recycling in Switzerland is rather broad, as it covers construction debris and even components of old electronic equipment. This full-cycle approach reduces reliance on imported raw materials and reinforces the local economy.
The success of a CE in Switzerland finds its foundation in a profound tradition of public awareness and environmental responsibility: the Swiss are very aware of and involved in all aspects of waste sorting