One year of Circular Quest: looking back, impact - and a look ahead to Zurich

A year ago, a pilot project was launched in Olten that opened up a playful approach to the circular economy. Today, we look back on an eventful year and look ahead to the next implementation in Zurich.

On September 12, 2024, "Circular Quest Olten" officially opened its doors - or rather: its posts. The interactive scavenger hunt through the city of Olten was developed to familiarize students and employees with the principles of the circular economy, not in the classroom, but through direct experiences, concrete examples and active engagement with consumption and production patterns.

A lot has happened since then.

Circular Quest: from pilot to educational format

A lot has happened since the launch in fall 2024. Whether for vocational trainees or employees - interest in Circular Quest remains high. Numerous companies from various industries have already used the format as further training or team events. Vocational schools have also integrated Circular Quest into internal training courses or directly into lessons. 

Among others were:

• Girsberger, BOXS AG, Webstar, Anta Swiss, Zurich University Library, and other committed organizations
• as well as vocational schools and classes from BBZ Olten and GIBS Olten or Bildungszentrum Emme.

Whether as part of a workshop, a team event or an internal school training course - Circular Quest has an impact precisely where knowledge is relevant and applicable: in people's everyday lives.

An effect that lasts

The feedback from companies and schools is clear: Circular Quest makes the circular economy tangible. Practical examples show how sustainable action is already possible today in a wide range of industries and encourage reflection and transfer to one's own working environment.

Most of the companies booked the standard package: the scavenger hunt followed by a workshop in which ideas for implementing circular principles in their own company were developed. This not only created "aha" experiences, but also concrete impulses for action.

What happens next?

The experiences from Olten will flow directly into the next implementation: Circular Quest Zurich. "Circular Quest Zurich" will start in November 2025, in close cooperation with the Allgemeine Berufsschule Zürich (ABZH) and supported by the City of Zurich's KlimUp funding program and the Swiss Federal Office of Energy SFOE.

We are not only continuing to develop the content, but are also going one step further conceptually:

• Thematic expansion: Climate change, energy efficiency and the circular economyIndustry focus: A brief in-depth look at the catering industry
• Didactically enhanced - incl. accompanying teaching materials and training for teachers

What comes next - will not remain a secret

Over the next few weeks, we will be providing insights into our partner landscape, the planned posts in Zurich and the supporting program for the official launch. It's worth staying tuned.

If you are already interested in using Circular Quest (whether in Olten or Zurich) for yourself, your team or your school, please contact us.

Thank you, Olten. Hello, Zurich.

We would like to thank all our supporters and partners who have made Circular Quest in Olten possible. Together with you, we were able to lay the foundation for this new educational format. Our special thanks go to the Federal Office for the Environment FOEN, the Swisslos Fund of the Canton of Solothurn, the City of Olten (especially the Werkhof Olten), Olten Tourism and the Däster Schild Foundation. 

We are looking forward to the new path that we will take together with our supporters and partners in Zurich. In addition to our implementation and funding partners KlimUp, BFE and ABZH, we would also like to thank our local post partners, who we will be introducing shortly.

The next step has been taken and it will not be the last. Together, we will continue to shape the circular economy.

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Book your Circular Quest team event

Whether for companies, schools or private groups - Circular Quest offers a tailor-made experience for every target group. Be inspired, get in touch with local players and bring a breath of fresh air to your sustainability strategies.

📅 This is how it works:

• Duration: Around 4 hours (incl. scavenger hunt, workshop and aperitif)
• Location:
  
  • Olten (as of now)
  • Zurich (from January)
• Objective: To learn about sustainable action skills for everyday private and professional life and develop concrete sustainable ideas for your own company

📩 Contact us and plan your individual team event: www.future-perfect.ch/circular-quest.