Waste: Be Circular!

Plastic is a global problem

Plastic is everywhere, and you can hardly get rid of it and it is our task to solve this problem.
‍

We solve it with innovative startups

With five excellent teams we developed ideas that challenge the status quo of the recycling industry with their unique, innovative ideas.
‍

Waste: Be Circular!

Waste Be Circular was the first THE MISSION program.

Together with 11 companies covering the entire plastic value chain, from production (Huhtamaki, Schur Flexibles), distribution (DB Schenker), retail (Schwarz Group), recycling (PreZero), and many more, the five selected teams worked on their solutions to reduce, reuse or recycle plastic waste.

Plastic is a global problem

Plastic is everywhere, and you can hardly get rid of it and it is our task to solve this problem.

We solve it with innovative startups

With five excellent teams we developed ideas that challenge the status quo of the recycling industry with their unique, innovative ideas.

How did the program go?

180+
Applications for the program
90+
Pages in the Handelsblatt Trend Radar
View Trend Radar

Our highlights & success stories

Recyda

Recyda is the first global recyclability assessment tool. Recyda collects and centralises information about the composition of packaging in a software tool, so that the recyclability of packaging for different target markets can be easily assessed. This will increase the distribution of recyclable packaging promoted.
Get to their website

Circolution

Circolution is developing a scalable system for reusable packaging of food from all segments. The system is designed to save resources, meet consumer needs and offer food producers the opportunity to grow in new and sustainable target group segments. The business model includes the leasing of packaging, including its return and cleaning.
Get to their website

Sliceomat

Sliceomat is an automatic sausage slicer for e.g. supermarkets without fresh food service counters to reduce plastic packaging in the refrigerated section. Out of the program the team registered a patent with Weber Maschinenbau.

InnoBlock

InnoBlock is a database-driven mobile app that shows ecologically relevant properties about products and communicates them to the customer.

Success stories

Annabell Hillenbrandt

Senior Manager, Bain & Company
In The Mission, you have motivated and driven young talents on the one side and big established companies on the other side. Bringing them together creates an incredible microcosmos where you can really change things.  

- Niklas Schaefer

Founder of Budge, THE MISSION Alumni
Besides an energizing team spirit, you become part of a potential new start-up in a setting incomparable to anything else. Or can you think about a place where you get all the freedom you need to be creative and being paid for creating your own company?

- Lynn Knapp

Co-founder AmetiXGreen, THE MISSION Alumni
The program provides you not only with a safe environment to develop your ideas or with experienced partners to work with. It also comes with many open-minded and energetic people and heaps of drive and positive energy.