At PreZero, the circular economy is more than just an operational concept – it is the essence of the company. In ten European countries and the USA, PreZero is setting standards in the implementation of innovative solutions for the circular economy, not only in consulting but especially in its core business, waste management, and recycling. Furthermore, PreZero sees the various challenges of the circular economy not as obstacles, but as opportunities that can be overcome most effectively together with customers and partners from industry and local authorities.

PreZero relies on innovative solutions to make the entire recycling cycle as sustainable as possible, from disposal and recycling to the development of new packaging. One example of this is using alternative drive systems for the vehicle fleet and efficient route planning that optimises the entire process while minimising environmental impact. For instance, the utilization of artificial intelligence, along with X-ray technology for precise material recognition, elevates PreZero's efficiency to new heights. This is immensely important because only good sorting can turn waste back into high-quality raw materials for a new life cycle. Good sorting is the key to any further utilisation of recyclable materials.

In addition to technological approaches, collaborative endeavours are also crucial. In collaboration with customers and business partners, PreZero not only optimises services along the entire value chain but also constantly initiates pioneering projects. Since 2019, PreZero has partnered with the Bundesliga club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim to implement sustainable initiatives, culminating in the stadium's certification as the first zero-waste stadium in the Bundesliga in 2023. DIN SPEC 91436, which was developed by a consortium of NGOs, businesses, and science, serves as the basis for corresponding zero-waste certification. PreZero is also proving to be an outstanding operational partner in Madrid. Here, the environmental services provider is cooperating with the biogas processing plant at the Valdemingómez Technology Park to convert biogas obtained from organic household waste into biomethane.

The diversity of the targeted partnerships with their different approaches emphasises the company's willingness to innovate. In the USA, for example, PreZero is testing the black soldier fly as a solution for both the utilisation of organic waste and the development of new protein sources. The larvae not only decomposes the organic waste but also utilises the nutrients it contains for us humans. The high protein and fat content of the larvae is of particular interest to the animal feed industry. And even the leftovers from insect feeding can be used as high-quality fertiliser in agriculture. With the PreZero brand OutNature, an alternative raw material for paper made from silphia fibres is being used on a large scale together with the long-established Procter & Gamble group and the Schwarz Group retail companies Kaufland and Lidl. Silphia is a fast-growing plant that requires little care and water, thrives in different climate zones, and can be grown on marginal land – properties that also lead to a significantly lower overall environmental impact in paper production thanks to regional cultivation.

PreZero in Sweden is also promoting partnership-based collaboration with the GoZero app, the largest online marketplace for reusable products. Here, companies collaborate across diverse industries to facilitate the reuse and recycling of materials, contributing to a more sustainable future.

The partnership with the mineral oil company Shell to develop chemical recycling methods shows that PreZero wants to create pioneering innovations even in unusual alliances. The joint venture PreZero Pyral also aims to use the valuable raw material aluminum more effectively for new packaging and products. For example, a deodorant can with a recycled aluminum content of over 50% has already been developed in collaboration with Lidl and Tubex.

Innovation requires strong partnerships, which is a core idea at PreZero. Through collaborative endeavors, the company is shaping the future of the circular economy and thus making a significant contribution to the conservation of resources. PreZero is not just an ecologically minded company – it is a pioneer for a sustainable and circular future.