öbu - Der Verband für nachhaltiges Wirtschaften

Innovator•Switzerland

Climate•Growth

The Re-Use of Steel Sections (RUSS) project, launched by öbu in 2021, aims to drive circular economy practices in the Swiss construction industry, which is a major contributor to CO₂ emissions and natural resource consumption. RUSS focuses on establishing a circular supply chain for construction materials, initially targeting steel sections to make them reusable in new projects. The project addresses obstacles like re-certification, contamination treatment, and storage logistics, and it connects stakeholders across the value chain—from demolition companies to architects. A digital tracking platform ensures transparency regarding the origin, condition, and quality of materials. RUSS has the potential to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions, with an estimated annual savings of 50,000 tons through direct steel reuse. Expanding to materials like concrete and wood will further enhance this impact, lowering the industry's carbon footprint and reducing dependence on global supply chains. RUSS supports key SDGs, including SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, Infrastructure), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).