The Swiss pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai is hosting a waste management exhibition entitled “No Time To Waste” to showcase circular economy solutions on managing and recycling waste to generate value. The exhibition is running until December 10, 2021.

The exhibition serves as an opportunity to showcase Switzerland’s innovative solutions on how waste can be recycled and harvested for beneficial purposes so that people and communities could use them. It is also an excellent platform to raise awareness on the environmental issues caused by the increase in trash generation, and to underline the importance of circular economy in preserving the environment.

The `No Time to Waste’ exhibit also focuses on upcycling different waste materials. For instance, the pavilion is highlighting how plastic is recycled to fashion materials, extracting gold from used smartphones, the power of worms in composting organic waste, etc.

Mr. Manuel Salchli, Commissioner General of the Swiss Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “Trash, whether on earth or in space, is a vexing and snowballing issue confronting the world now. We seem to be piling up trash without thinking of its consequences to people, environment and the climate. It is high time and imperative that we create awareness on this and enhance sustainable waste management.”

`No time to Waste’ exhibition follows the announcement of the Swiss-Middle East Circular Economy for Youth Initiative (SMECEYI) winners, which provided an opportunity for students to produce out-of-the-box renewable ideas to catalyse circular economy.

From his side, Mr. Dante Larini, Project Manager of the Swissnex at the Swiss Pavilion, said: “Organizing the exhibit “No Time to Waste” at Expo 2020 Dubai means that we can connect with a large and multifarious audience, and look at efficient ways to recycle and upcycle different materials. The Swiss exhibit is also endeavouring to portray Waste, as an opportunity with its letters corresponding to Wealth, Art, Sustainability, Technology and Education.”

Although consumption rates are above the global average, Switzerland is considered a recycling role model because of its waste collection, separation and recovery system. In addition to a state-of-the-art waste management infrastructure, the authorities actively encourage the population to recycle as much as they can.  In Switzerland, over 50 percent of household waste is recycled.