Circular economy in South Tyrol

Thinking in circles

We're rethinking: everyone can play a part on the path to a functioning circular economy. From waste management and construction to retail, hospitality and catering, different sectors are exploring ways to recycle materials, use resources more efficiently and prevent waste. In addition to the companies themselves, numerous initiatives are also working on practical contributions to the South Tyrolean circular economy here in the province. The Circular Food Hub, for example, develops regional pilot projects that focus on reducing food waste the catering industry. Other projects support the construction sector in becoming more resource-efficient. Other projects, such as INNO.CIRCLE and the SustainaBuild network, support the construction sector in becoming more resource-efficient.

Concrete measures are also being implemented in tourism - for example in accommodation that carries the South Tyrol Sustainability Label® or in restaurants that focus on regional cuisine and take measures to reduce food waste. Holiday resorts and destinations have also embarked on this journey and are making their efforts visible through the South Tyrol Sustainability Label.

A place to suit you

If you want to plan your trip with greater awareness, you’ll find plenty of options in South Tyrol. Read our seven tips for a more mindful holiday here.

Certified accommodation

In South Tyrol, you’ll find many accommodations that carry the South Tyrol Sustainability Label®. The label is based on defined criteria and provides transparency regarding the measures individual hosts have already implemented—for example, in the areas of waste reduction, regional products, or energy supply.

Find your accommodation with the sustainability label

Conserve resources

Whether it's electricity, water, air conditioning, light or the towels in the hotel — be mindful and try not to waste valuable resources unnecessarily. A new towel every day or a long shower in the morning? Ask yourself honestly whether this is really necessary. To save even more resources, you can switch off your smartphone at night, as well as the air conditioning during the day. When you open the window, our clear mountain air will refresh you!

IDM Südtirol-Alto Adige/Patrick Schwienbacher

Take it up, bring it back

In our landscape, what I take up the mountain, I always bring back down to the valley. In the mountains, it is particularly important not to leave any rubbish behind. Waste decomposes only slowly or sometimes not at all. Handkerchiefs take about five years to disappear, cigarette butts seven years and an aluminium can a full 600 years.

Avoid rubbish in the mountains

IDM Südtirol Alto Adige/F-Tech Production

Products from here

Discover our South Tyrolean products, which are produced and processed locally. Our winemakers prioritize recycling and short supply chains, among other things. Our apples, milk, and organic honey also typically come from nearby. Our products that carry the South Tyrolean seal of quality are produced and processed locally. This way, you can truly taste their origin.

Discover our regional products

IDM Südtirol-Alto Adige/Armin Terzer

Genuine memorabilia

If you are looking for a souvenir from your holiday in South Tyrol, you can take a look around the regional craft shops. Be it with the woodcarving artists in Val Gardena, with rural basket weavers or with South Tyroleans who produce hand-knotted woollen carpets. Traditional craftsmanship and raw materials from the region come together here.

Get to know our craft

IDM Südtirol-Alto Adige/Harald Wisthaler

South Tyrolean Slow Food

Those who try our regional products and specialities and visit local restaurants or grocery shops experience the region's food culture right at the source. Local products, recipes and traditions tell a story of origin that can also be tasted.

Taste the local flavors

Expierience "Green Events"

In South Tyrol, you will find many events where resource efficiency and waste management play a role right from the start. Without plastic crockery, with as little light and noise pollution as necessary and a focus on local products and vegetarian dishes, it is a mindful way to celebrate.

Find your "green event"

gpichler.com

Simply – because we can.

It is important for us to see nature as a partner.

We love the high quality of our products.

Less waste, more circular economy.

We strengthen local relationships and cycles.

Good food near you: the South Tyrolean farmers' market.

Directly from the farm

On the road together

Tourism with responsibility

Europe's largest high alpine pasture and South Tyrol's oldest nature park, Schlern-Rosengarten, are renowned for their natural beauty. Locals who want to preserve their special home live here. Visitors from all over the world come here all year round.

For the residents and tourism stakeholders of the Seiser Alm, nature conservation and tourism go hand in hand. They are working together to promote responsible tourism. For example, hut operators take care to use less packaging when purchasing their goods, and committed Alpine Club members keep hiking trails clean. Regular campaigns such as CleanUp Day or planting bee-friendly trees raise awareness of the importance of a respectful approach to nature. In 2023, the Alpe di Siusi Dolomites region achieved the highest level 3 of the South Tyrol sustainability label®, which is based on the criteria of the Global Council for Sustainable Tourism.

Find out more about the label

Click here to watch the video about waste reduction in the destination Seiser Alm. A mountain hut operator explains during the transport of goods to the hut that when shopping he chooses unwrapped products whenever possible, while dedicated Alpine Club members help keep the hiking trails clean.

Nature partners at eye level

For hotel manager and head chef Hannes Rainer, nature is at the centre of everything he does - and he runs the Naturhotel Rainer in Jaufental in a manner that reflects that. He is assisted by his nature partners - such as vegetable farmer Florian, with whom he tests traditional storage methods for his vegetables.

Click here to watch the interview with hotelier and chef Klaus Rainer. The protagonist is shown in his hotel and explains the concept behind his nature hotel. Nature and regional cycles are at the heart of everything he does.

The wool artist

The wool comes from their own sheep. Processing is carried out at spinning mill nearby. She crochets home textiles such as rugs, cushion covers and blankets herself. The wool artist Johanna Aichner implements the principle of local production in exactly her own way.