Munich Startup: Who are you and what is BACK?
Anna Diermeier, founder of ZURÜCK Studio: We are a design studio for zero-waste and upcycling projects. Every day, valuable resources end up in the trash. We create new things for companies. The range of materials is diverse. We work with textile offcuts, advertising banners, and paper scraps. What these materials have in common is that they have only been used for a short time or not at all, even though some were designed for long-term use. The leftover materials are processed locally and fairly in Germany or even in and around Munich.
Consider the circular economy when designing products
Munich Startup: How do you incorporate the circular economy into your business model?
Anna Diermeier: For our upcycling projects, we utilize existing materials that have completed their first life cycle, such as advertising banners. Here, we apply the reuse principle, meaning a material is given a second purpose and reused.
It gets even more exciting when the secondary use is considered right from the start when designing the original product. For example, we did this for an exhibition with the Bavarian Chamber of Architects. When we created the exhibition banners, we included a pattern with the product graphic on the back. After the traveling exhibition, which runs for about a year, the banners will be sewn into practical cable pouches.
Our services are primarily aimed at companies that have large amounts of waste and want to create something new from it. We focus on tailor-made solutions, i.e., products that the target group of companies really needs, and on local processing.
BACK: Positive communication as an important part of work
Munich Startup: What can other startups learn from you?
Anna Diermeier: We view positive communication as an important part of our work. That's why we communicate the background of projects—how they came about, where they were manufactured, and how they were used—on social media and our website. We also enjoy participating in panels and discussing the circular economy. Talking about the topic and raising awareness is already a success. From the very beginning, I've worked with a photographer for the photos and videos I publish. I believe that's a key part of success. I think attractive photos are extremely important.
Munich Startup: What are your current challenges?
Anna Diermeier: I find it difficult to find the right balance. Balancing the fluctuations between feeling "idle" and "overwhelmed"—everything always comes at once. I work alone on the conception stage, but I've built a great network of companies that then implement the products. A steady order flow with a few recurring projects would be great.
Adapt regulations so that disposable products are no longer “worthwhile”
Munich Startup: What other circular solutions are there that you find exciting?
Anna Diermeier: Upcycling is, of course, obsolete if we produce circularly. Then there are no more leftover materials, overproduction, or single-use products. There are a few companies that have already embraced the circular economy concept and have even adapted their business models. Patagonia and Vaude, of course, come to mind. A reusable system, such as Recup or Vytal makes perfect sense. However, this requires that the cups are actually reused and not sitting in our cupboards at home. It would also be great if all stores agreed on a single system and didn't offer their own solutions.
Munich Startup: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Anna Diermeier: In five years, ZURÜCK is a busy design studio with many wonderful projects in the field of upcycling and, above all, product development with a focus on zero-waste and the circular economy. Regulations have changed so much that it's no longer worthwhile to produce disposable clothing, disposable furniture, or elaborate disposable packaging. We've been able to drastically improve our resource waste and our garbage problem. Incidentally, Munich has the goal of becoming a zero-waste city. We're a key part of that!
