Ricycle extends the life-cycle of rice by circling leftovers back to the gastrosystem. We work to ensure that no grain goes to waste. 

The Tip of the Riceberg

There is nothing special in rice. It is cheap. It is easy. It is always there.

In all its insignificance, much of the world revolves around rice.

Rice is the primary staple food for more than half the world's population and a source of income for millions. At the same time, due to its water-intense production and preparation, combined with long-distance shipments and large storage requirements, rice has an environmental footprint greater than one dares to imagine:

  1. Rice cultivation is a major source of methane

  2. Rice production consumes approximately 30% of the world’s fresh water

  3. Rice farming accelerates deforestation and land degradation 

This is the tip of the riceberg. Across the world, one-third of the nutrition produced go to waste. This figure is unsustainable and unnecessary.

In its simplicity, rice is a carbohydrate or a sugar. In all its beauty, a standard beer brewing process is kicked off by yeast that turns sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide.

Ricycle connects those with leftover rice - restaurants - with those in need of sugar - brewers. We work to ensure that waste finds its way back into the system.

The Circle of Rice

Ricycle is a Zurich-based initiative that provides a foodwaste-solution for restaurants and a sugar-solution for brewers.

Our circle of rice:

  1. Restaurants give their leftover rice to Ricycle

  2. Ricycle transports the rice to breweries

  3. Breweries produce beer

  4. Beer is consumed in restaurants, bars or wherever

We create a locally rooted system that makes sense, adds value, and operates so smoothly that no one notices that it is there.

Our wheels are steered by efficiency, quality, and integrity.

The Ricyclists

Anna Tervahartiala
A communications and human rights specialist with years of experience collecting foodwaste across Zurich.

Marco Näf
A bicycle messenger and expert in logistics who has roamed the streets on wheels for more than 20 years.

Got rice? Need sugar?
We look forward to hearing from you.