Chargeable Rubbish Bags

Switzerland has one of the highest rates of waste recycling in the world. Throwing away household waste costs here in Switzerland and you must use the official grey refuse bags to dispose of your household rubbish. The purchase price of these bags includes a charge that covers the waste disposal costs. You can buy your official rubbish bags at the supermarket or Post Office – you may have to ask for them separately at the till. The rubbish bags come in different sizes (17, 35, 60, 110 litres) – try out what suits you best – the normal size is 35 litres. These bags are then put into the large communal containers near homes or collected on a designated day.

Recycling Centres

The Swiss are keen recyclers! There are several recycling centres around your living area where you can bring your recycling, which must be separated into paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, tins, aluminium, batteries, light bulbs, books, metal, old clothes and PET bottles to name a few. Visit the website of your municipality to find out where the nearest recycling station is located and its opening hours.

Recycling- and Waste Disposal

Plan The waste disposal poster is called “Abfallplan” and can be obtained at your local Council House or “Gemeinde”, it shows all of the various timetables for refuse collection and the various recycling options. Most areas have regular collections of paper and cardboard.

Electrical appliances

Defective televisions, computers, radios, refrigerators, etc. should if possible be returned to the original supplier or taken to a shop selling new appliances. Retailers are obliged to take these appliances back free of charge. Alternatively, they may be brought to the waste collection centre.