Fight against glass waste: lab of tomorrow 23 ideation sprint in Albania

The lab of tomorrow 23 Ideation Sprint in Tirana unites companies to create sustainable solutions to tackle glass waste in Albania. With support from GIZ, the EU, and adelphi, this initiative boosts the economy, reduces waste, and models sustainable practices.

Albania is addressing significant challenges and opportunities in glass waste management. By 2030, the country aims to recover 30% of its glass packaging, increasing to 60% by 2035. Currently, most glass waste is sent to landfills, causing environmental harm and economic burdens, as beverage producers rely on expensive imported bottles. This creates an opportunity for circular business solutions focused on reusability and recycling. By building a robust infrastructure for collecting, sorting, cleaning, and recycling glass, Albania can reduce waste, lower packaging costs, and generate economic benefits. These initiatives could boost the local economy, create jobs, and protect the environment.

In Tirana, the lab of tomorrow 23 Ideation Sprint unites local, regional, and international companies to develop solutions that are both economically viable and environmentally friendly. The focus of lab of tomorrow 23 is on “Reducing glass waste and providing affordable pricing for glass packaging and materials in Albania.” Companies work in teams to devise innovative solutions to specific challenges, with the goal of forming joint ventures.

Participating in the lab of tomorrow 23 allows companies to explore new markets, expand their product lines, collaborate with local and international partners, receive business development support, and potentially secure funding from a pool of up to €200,000, all while creating impactful solutions for reducing glass waste in Albania.

adelphi’s expertise at the Ideation Sprint

The four-day workshop, held from September 24th to 27th, used the Design Thinking method to develop solutions. adelphi played a key role as a methodological expert and coach for three teams on the topics of: 

• Extending the lifespan of glass bottles in the beverage industry;
• Obtaining affordable, valuable primary materials out of recycled waste and creating new glass waste-based products for sectors like construction and interior design;
• Repurposing discarded glass packaging into products like glass artistry, everyday items, interior design or sustainable consumer goods as an alternative to single-use products.

One team was coached by GIZ on the topic of:

• Extending the lifespan of glass bottles in the beverage industry.

adelphi has supported the lab of tomorrow project since 2021, aiding in the implementation of numerous programs as experts in Design Thinking and Business Design. They have also served as Design Thinking Coaches for venture teams in many ideation sprints, including the current one in Tirana.

Broader impact for glass recovery and recycling

The Ideation Sprint in Tirana is more than just a workshop; it is a step towards a sustainable future for Albania and a model for other countries. With the support of the EU and the expertise of GIZ and adelphi, the solutions developed could have a broader impact beyond Albania.

The lab of tomorrow is a business development and impact program by the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development. It is supported by the EU 4 Circular Economy and Livable Cities project (EU4CELC), co-financed by the EU and the BMZ, and implemented by GIZ Albania in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment (MoTE).