Technische Universität Dresden, Institute of Waste Management and Circular Economy

Member since: 05/2019

Active in: WG Plastics

www.tu-dresden.de/uwhiak

Technische Universität Dresden, Institute of Waste Management and Circular Economy

The Institute for Waste Management and Circular Economy at the Technische Universität Dresden has been researching environmental issues since 1995. It is currently headed by Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Christina Dornack. Our research is conducted in support of the overarching aim of fostering a sustainable circular economy, and concentrates primarily on recycling strategies and technologies, finding the best ways to incinerate waste, the treatment of sewage sludge and how to re-use organic waste. Fermentation technology and cleaning up environmental contamination are particular areas of expertise. We provide our students with comprehensive training in issues relevant to the environmental and waste management sectors. The Institute also sees knowledge transfer through international cooperation as a central aim of its scientific work.

The challenges facing today’s circular economy are on a global scale. The team at the Institute believe the best way of meeting these challenges is to take a two-pronged approach, researching and perfecting established circular systems like Germany’s at the same time as transferring their knowledge to emerging economies around the world. The only way of doing this is as part of a network of stakeholders at international level, which is why we are a member of the Prevent Waste Alliance.

The notion of the circular economy is crucial to creating a sustainable, global society. The only way to secure a future worth living for future generations is to ensure that advanced, sustainable material flow systems are established all over the world. Excluding harmful substances from the production cycle is also an important part of a circular economy in its own right.