Scaling Circular Solutions in Zurich

Enabling more people in Zurich to participate in circular behaviors (such as sharing, repairing, reusing, and redistributing goods) by making existing solutions more visible, accessible, and attractive. Zurich has a fragmented ecosystem of initiatives that promote circular economy practices, ranging from second-hand marketplaces and sharing platforms to repair services and donation networks. These services exist across multiple physical and digital touchpoints, including mobile apps, websites, messaging groups, and community-driven platforms. Despite their diversity and potential impact, most of these solutions operate in silos and remain largely unknown to the broader population.

While the infrastructure for reuse, repair, sharing, and redistribution already exists, it is highly fragmented and lacks visibility, accessibility, and scale. Users often face high search costs, inconsistent user experiences, and limited trust or awareness. As a result, many reusable goods are discarded, and participation in circular practices remain limited to niche communities or restricted to specific use cases (e.g. design classics, collectors’ items).

Problem Statement

While the infrastructure for reuse, repair, sharing, and redistribution already exists, it is highly fragmented and lacks visibility, accessibility, and scale. Users often face high search costs, inconsistent user experiences, and limited trust or awareness. As a result, many reusable goods are discarded, and participation in circular practices remain limited to niche communities or restricted to specific use cases (e.g. design classics, collectors’ items).

Existing Solutions & Market Insights

Globally and locally, platforms such as peer-to-peer marketplaces, sharing economy apps, and repair networks have demonstrated strong potential to reduce waste and extend product lifecycles. A few examples in Zurich are:

• Online peer-to-peer marketplaces: Tutti, Ricardo, marko, World of plenty, messenger chats
• Physical peer-to-peer marketplaces: MARTA, Kreisflohmi, public book shelves, public libraries, Madame Frigo (for food)
• Physical second-hand marketplaces/donation networks: Brockenhäuser, Second-hand shops, Josy, Äss-Bar (for food)
• Sharing economy apps: Sugar cup, Züri teilt, Sharley, Pumpipumpe, Too Good To Go (for food)
• Repair services: Platform by the city of Zurich in development

Market research in the circular economy space highlights key barriers to adoption, including:

• Lack of centralization or interoperability between platforms
• Low user awareness and engagement
• Proximity to desired service/marketplace
• Friction in user journeys (e.g., too many steps, unclear value proposition, inconsistent availability)
• Trust and safety concerns in peer-to-peer exchanges

At the same time, studies show that users are increasingly motivated by sustainability, cost savings, and community belonging, indicating strong latent demand if solutions are made more accessible and user-friendly.

The Challenge

How might we design a scalable, user-centric digital solution that connects, amplifies, and simplifies access to existing circular economy services in Zurich?

Your solution could, for example:

• Aggregate or integrate multiple platforms into a unified experience
• Improve discoverability of local initiatives
• Reduce friction in participating (e.g., listing, finding, or repairing items)
• Build trust and engagement among users
• Use data, AI, or network effects to scale impact