Switzerland’s most influential environmental prize is thus awarded to innovative companies which combine economic success with ecological impact.
A unique selection process involving national business federations and environmental organisations ensures that the most convincing solutions are identified each year.
An interdisciplinary body of experts selects the five best projects from the 40 which have been nominated. These companies then present their ideas to a high-profile jury. Under the leadership of former Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard, the jury then selects three finalists to make presentations at the CE2 Day event before deciding on the winner.
The award is given in partnership with the Swiss Environmental Foundation and the “Go for Impact” association, which functions as an umbrella for the BAFU (Federal Department of the Environment), economiesuisse, öbu, Swissmem and WWF Schweiz, among others.
Economic success and sustainable principles are not contradictions, as impressively proved by the nominees for the “Umweltpreis der Wirtschaft”. These pioneering companies are all passionate about shaping tomorrow’s entrepreneurial world and are not only successful in their segments but also raising the profile of ecological solutions.
An overview of Switzerland’s most innovative entrepreneurial sustainability solutions is available at the
This year’s winner is a pioneer in the urban mining segment and thus acts as a lighthouse for the construction industry. The family-run business recognised the enormous significance and potential of the sustainable economy as early as 1983 and has invested heavily in the segment ever since. Today the Eberhard Building Materials Recycling Centre handles up to 450 000 tonnes of mineral building rubble per year, processing it for use in new buildings – without any loss in quality. The new Europaallee road in Zurich is a prime example of this, being constructed from 99 percent top-quality recycled building materials.
Eberhard Bau AG has developed a response to the large quantities of building rubble: Since one and a half decades, the company, based in Kloten ZH, has been one of the pioneers in the reuse of such building materials.
Eberhard Bau AG has developed a response to the large quantities of building rubble: Since one and a half decades, the company, based in Kloten ZH, has been one of the pioneers in the reuse of such building materials.
The food service industry produces a lot of waste. In view of the low margins in the industry, it appears that there is little scope for reducing them. KITRO, based in Renens VD, has developed a digital tool that allows larger restaurants, hotel kitchens and canteens to reduce their food waste.
Logistics is a major emitter of CO2 and also experience high margin pressure. Pickwings, headquartered in Baar ZG, has developed a platform that connects shippers and transport companies in real time. The delivery network already has access to around 6000 trucks.
Doris Leuthard
Jury President
The «Umweltpreis der Wirtschaft» highlights one of the key economic and social issues of our times. Sustainability is a hot topic and will become even more important in the coming years and decades – also in Switzerland. Swiss Post is participating as a presenting partner, taking on the role of industry trail blazer to honour sustainable entrepreneurship in Switzerland.
