Winning Solutions for Ammunition Removal in Switzerland

Switzerland faces a pressing environmental issue with thousands of tons of munitions submerged in its lakes, left over from past disposal practices. The Swiss defense department has launched a competition to incentivize innovative approaches to safely and environmentally friendlly extract these explosives. Offering up to £45,000 divided among the top three solutions, this initiative aims to find methods that mitigate risks, including potential explosions and contamination from toxic materials such as TNT. The complexity of the challenge lies in various factors: visibility under water, magnetic iron from the munitions, and the individual weights of the ammunition which complicate retrieval efforts. Competitors are tasked with considering these elements while crafting their solutions, making it crucial to integrate safety protocols and environmentally sustainable practices. This competition not only highlights the importance of addressing historical disposal issues but also encourages creativity and practical problem-solving in the face of serious environmental threats. By engaging with this challenge, participants contribute to safeguarding Switzerland's natural resources and ensuring a cleaner, safer aquatic environment for future generations.