The philosophy behind this increasingly competitive economic model is well known: compared to a linear economy - where raw materials are processed, transformed, sold, consumed and finally thrown away - the circular economy lengthens the life cycle of products by favouring their reuse, consuming fewer raw materials and thus generating less waste.

SUPSI is working to adopt this integrated approach that takes into account the entire life cycle of products in its training, research and dissemination activities.

By its very nature, the circular economy has interdisciplinary validity and can be found in all areas of activity of every department and every mandate. However, SUPSI also looks outwards, aware of the importance of joining forces with other realities in the area to promote a change in consumption patterns and promote more conscious lifestyles.

Among the recent collaborations that have sprung up in this area is the one with Circular Lugano, an object library where, on subscription, you can borrow objects that you need, use them for your own purposes, and bring them back to the shop to be borrowed by others. How often do we buy household appliances, sports equipment, and other items that we only use on a few occasions?

SUPSI, as well as other organisations and institutes in the area, has entered into a collaboration agreement with Circular Lugano, which allows students and employees to take advantage of the loan of catalogue items free of charge for up to 5 objects per month.