News
News from Ecosens
Dimensioning geothermal probe field
We are delighted to have completed an exciting project in the field of near-surface geothermal energy.
Ecosens AG was able to carry out the geological investigations, including the dimensioning of the geothermal probe field, the subsoil investigation and the investigation of building pollutants for the site development on Thurgauerstrasse/Leutschenbachstrasse in Zurich.
Spray asbestos removal in Dielsdorf
For a large commercial building in Dielsdorf, Ecosens AG carried out a pollutant analysis of the building fabric prior to the planned conversion. This revealed intact spray asbestos applications on the upper floor, as well as already renovated surfaces with sealed spray asbestos residues.
When Switzerland's milk was poisoned with insecticides - The long-term consequences of the intensive use of wood preservatives in the 1960s
In the 1960s, many stables and barns in Switzerland were treated with wood preservatives. It soon became apparent that these could end up in the milk via the cows' feed. As a result, some farms had to dispose of their entire milk production. But even today you can still find buildings with contaminated wood. This field report shows the challenges that experts have to tackle with such properties.
Dimensioning geothermal probe field
The construction of the third incineration line at the Hagenholz waste incineration plant was approved by the Zurich electorate in September 2023 with a 90.8% vote in favor. The expansion of the Hagenholz waste incineration plant is intended to ensure waste disposal security in the canton and city of Zurich and create important conditions for achieving the city's net-zero 2040 climate targets.
New 7th edition of the "Zurich Planning and Building Law"
Our Environmental and Climate Law department was able to collaborate with other renowned authors on the revision of the book "Zürcher Planungs- und Baurecht" (Zurich Planning and Building Law), revising the topics of noise, air, construction waste and contaminated sites.
"Top Law Firm" Switzerland 2024 - We are one of them!
Grindelstrasse 5 has been Ecosens' home base for 30 years. Spread over three floors, our employees are on the move for you. As we are constantly growing and space was becoming increasingly scarce, we decided to relocate.
We have moved
Grindelstrasse 5 has been Ecosens' home base for 30 years. Spread over three floors, our employees are on the move for you. As we are constantly growing and space was becoming increasingly scarce, we decided to relocate.
New Head of Environmental Planning
Ecosens is pleased to announce that Sandra Laubis took over as Head of Environmental Planning on April 1.
Dismantling of former Erzenberg foundry, Liestal
The site of the former Erzenberg foundry in Liestal is being redeveloped. The old existing foundry buildings will have to make way for a residential development. Ecosens AG has been supporting and advising the client on building pollutants and contaminated sites since 2016.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) under Swiss law
With the adoption of the new Climate and Innovation Act (CISA) on June 18, 2023, Switzerland's climate targets were enshrined in law. Now it is time to target these with the implementation of concrete measures.
Alpine solar plant in Illanz (GR)
With the revision of the Energy Act (EnG), the federal government adopted the so-called "Solar Express" for large-scale photovoltaic systems in fall 2022. The amendment to the law also simplified and defined the approval procedure for Alpine solar installations on open spaces.
Aubrugg cogeneration plant
Recently, the Office for Waste, Water, Energy and Air (AWEL) presented its interim report on the contaminated site program of the Canton of Zurich. The report contains many interesting facts about the enforcement of the law on contaminated sites in the Swiss canton that has the highest number of entries in the cadastre of contaminated sites (5,740).
Remediation of the Valais landfill site
Recently, the Office for Waste, Water, Energy and Air (AWEL) presented its interim report on the contaminated site program of the Canton of Zurich. The report contains many interesting facts about the enforcement of the law on contaminated sites in the Swiss canton that has the highest number of entries in the cadastre of contaminated sites (5,740).
Soil contamination by dioxins in the city of Lausanne: investigations, remediation and cost allocation
On January 19, 2023, the canton of Vaud held a press conference to announce the results of the new soil tests in connection with the dioxin contamination discovered in Lausanne in 2021. Around 4,000 plots of land need to be further investigated and checked for their need for remediation, particularly in the case of construction projects or conversions to existing buildings.
Remediation of Solothurn's municipal manure landfills - Ecosens investigates underlying contamination
Between 1925 and 1976, the city of Solothurn disposed of waste on the "Stadtmist" in the agricultural area to the west of the city. The three landfills "Unterhof", "Spitelfeld" and "Oberer Einschlag" were created as a result of this disposal. The landfills are spatially separated by the two streams Brunngraben in the west and Brühlgraben in the east.
Air tightness measurements with blower door measurement method
In well-insulated buildings, up to 60 % of heating energy can be lost through gaps and cracks in the building envelope. Energy-efficient construction can therefore only be achieved with a high degree of airtightness of the building envelope. In addition, this prevents structural damage due to condensation as well as the penetration of drafts, noise or odors.
GI Good indoor climate
The GI GUTES INNENRAUMKLIMA® label offers building owners security with regard to the indoor climate in new buildings and conversions as well as in existing buildings. To obtain the label, qualified measuring institutes check that the highest standards of indoor air quality are met.
Bilanz honors the best law firms in Switzerland 2022
For the sixth time, BILANZ publishes the lists of the best law firms in Switzerland. From general contract law to landlord and tenant law to white-collar crime law: BILANZ presents the lists of the best law firms in Switzerland in 2022 - in each case the top 25 broken down into 31 legal fields.
Neophytes in the Valais Alps
Neophytes are alien plant species that were introduced after 1500 and have become established in the wild. These include popular garden plants such as the vinegar tree, the summer lilac or the cherry laurel. Invasive species spread so rapidly that they displace other native species that are characteristic of the habitat in question, which can lead to a decline in biodiversity.
Significant change in practice by the Federal Supreme Court regarding entries in the register of contaminated sites
At the end of the 1980s, two landowners in the canton of Thurgau, with the permission of the then Office for Environmental Protection and Water Management, had garbage slag installed on their land, e.g. to pave paths and areas for plant containers.
Rynetel wildlife transfer
Wildlife corridors are part of the ecological infrastructure. The AG6 wildlife corridor in the Rohr-Rupperswil forest area is one of the most important in Switzerland. The wildlife overpasses aim to create a trouble-free network of paths for wild animals across cantonal borders.
Ecosens AG processes PFAS contaminated sites
Investigation and remediation of suspected sites with the emerging pollutant group PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds). The substances in the PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds) group are chemically, biologically and thermally very stable due to their structure.
The lead on the mountain goes into the money - Shooting range Hittenberg
Municipality of Wald - The municipality of Wald has had to rehabilitate four bullet traps. Now the contaminated sites have also been dredged at the Hittenberg facility, which has been shut down for some time. A particular challenge was the demanding topography.
Comprehensive pollutant investigations on a company site in Näfels
In Näfels, north of the railroad station, there is the more than 3 hectare large company site of Fritz Landolt Immobilien AG with a history of over 200 years of use in the textile industry. With regard to the future development of the site, Ecosens AG was able to support the owner with various investigations.
CO2 capture and storage (CCS)
As part of its long-term Climate Strategy 2050, Switzerland is focusing on negative emissions technologies (NET) that remove CO2 from the atmosphere and store it permanently (carbon capture and storage, CCS), in addition to reducing emissions as much as possible.
The contaminated site program of the Canton of Zurich and cost allocations
Recently, the Office for Waste, Water, Energy and Air (AWEL) presented its interim report on the contaminated site program of the Canton of Zurich. The report contains many interesting facts about the enforcement of the law on contaminated sites in the Swiss canton that has the highest number of entries in the cadastre of contaminated sites (5,740).
