Industry and interest association SABO (the Swedish Association of Public Housing Companies) invites the public to take part in a two-step competition on how to reduce the amount of waste generated from renovation and demolition projects.

The municipal housing companies in Sweden renovate about 12,000 dwellings per year, with the rates of public housing renovation increasing by ten percent each year. Through the competition, SABO wants to generate innovative ideas about reuse and recycling, which can eventually lead to the development of new, cost-efficient and environmentally sustainable methods.

The first stage of the competition, called Retur 2014, is an idea challenge where the public is sourced for ideas of how to increase the reuse and recycling of building materials, with the exception of construction and building materials containing hazardous substances and classified as hazardous waste, which are not included in the competition. The competition is geared towards the general public, with a focus on students and public housing tenants.

“Much of what is in apartments that undergo renovation can be used again or repurposed as something entirely different. Together we can contribute to solutions that help Sweden improve resource management in the construction sector,” says Patrizia Finessi, environmental expert at SABO.

The first part of the contest is open for entries until August 19th. During the competition period, the public will be able to vote for their favorite entry. One of the winners will be selected by these public votes, the other two winners will be chosen by a jury of representatives from SABO and the Swedish Union of Tenants.

The winners will be announced in the fall, with their contributions serving as an important basis for the second part of Retur 2014. The second competition is an innovation challenge designed to develop professional and viable reuse and recycling ideas that can be tested by some of SABO’s member companies.

The competition is supported by Vinnova and arranged by SABO and Student Competitions in collaboration with the Swedish Union of Tenants.

More information on Retur 2014 and instructions on how to compete can be found at www.retur2014.se