QUO VADIS - Recycling

Stakeholders from the recycling industry recently met at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences to talk to each other and the university management. They included the deans of the faculties involved in environmental issues, representatives of the iTN Zittau research institute and interested representatives of the cooperating recycling industry, above all the LVR - Landesverband der Sächsischen Recyclingindustrie e.V. Dresden. All those present emphasized the importance of recycling, also and above all in order to be able to deal with the current tasks in environmental protection accordingly. For this reason, applied research on the subject of recycling will continue to be carried out and expanded at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences in cooperation with companies. This is due to the recycling industry's increased demand for well-trained specialists and research services.   

Dr. Lohmann from LVR e.V. and the representatives of the recycling industry outlined the outstanding importance of material and energy recycling for society as a whole in a modern circular economy. The recycling industry is currently expected to grow by more than 10% per year, as increasing recycling rates is a declared environmental policy goal.

The energy-efficient circular economy is an important driver of social and economic change. Only in this way can resources be conserved sustainably and other environmentally relevant issues, such as climate protection, be effectively addressed and resolved. In this context, the high and constantly increasing demand of the recycling industry in Saxony and especially in Upper Lusatia for high-quality research services and very well-trained and committed graduates was also emphasized.   

Dr. Wuschke(Scholz Recycling GmbH Espenhain) emphasized the importance of existing cooperation between the industry and the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. Not only does the university offer high-quality specialist training, but with iTN Zittau it also has an efficient research institute that is particularly dedicated to researching application-oriented recycling processes. Mr. Handschick from Steinert Unisort GmbH Zittau considers the active integration of the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences into the various administrative and specialist networks as well as into the training network for environmental and recycling technology to be indispensable.  

Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences offers excellent conditions for teaching and research, particularly in the fields of technical environmental protection and recycling. Very well-equipped laboratories enable high-quality energy and material recycling research. This is a benefit for the entire region - both for science and its transfer to companies and the economy. Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences plans to push this research area and continue to expand it in line with market requirements. This means that Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences is and will remain an important partner for and in the region.  

For young people, studying recycling management or environmental and recycling technology opens up attractive job and career prospects. After all, qualified and well-trained experts are needed to build a strong recycling industry in Saxony and especially in Upper Lusatia. The Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences provides this specialist knowledge in an innovative and attractive way.