Switzerland is the world champion in the recycling. Recycling is an important matter in all Switzerland, as there isn’t much land to waste on landfill. Even more, because the ground is porous, drainage from landfills would quickly pollute its pristine lakes. Consequently, since 2000 all garbage that isn’t recycled is incinerated and the energy produced converted into electricity. Nationwide about 40% of solid waste is recycled. To encourage recycling, many cantons require payment of a fee for each garbage bag used. Have a look at the recycling-map to find your nearest recycling station.
The rules and regulations of garbage disposal and recycling in Switzerland take some getting used to, but are ultimately for the greater good.
Paper and cardboard – Paper gets bundled up monthly and collected. Make sure you tie it up neatly and leave it on the curb on the allocated day. Just put it out there when you see the piles lining up! There are containers for cardboard in most neighbourhoods, or you can take the cardboard back to the store of purchase for large items like electronics.
Electronics – Any electronic shop will take old items (Migros electronics, Fust, Interdiscount, Media Markt etc). Mobile phones that still work should be taken to a Swisscom shop (with charger/books etc), who will give them to a charity that in turn sells them in Africa at a price that the people can afford.
Compost – This is genius: take your old banana peels and apple cores to the community compost! I wish I knew what they did with that stuff. Then again, Switzerland sure is green so it probably goes straight back into the soil somewhere.
Clothes and Shoes recycling bags are usually collected by charities throughout the year. You will receive dedicated bags in your mailbox with the name of the charity and collection days. Place the bags in front of your house in the evening before planned collection day.
PET bottles – These go back to the store, look for the PET containers either outside or near the beverages in your supermarket.
Glass – There are containers for green, brown, and clear glass usually near the supermarket or centrally located in your neighbourhood.
Tins – Usually containers for tin cans are next to the glass containers. Look for the word ‘Dosen‘.
Regular household waste – Goes in the sack that you buy from the supermarket or post office, some regions use stickers instead.
Other – For the rest of it all, there are places to take your old oil, batteries, Styrofoam, electronics, poison, textiles and even cadavers (oh my! I think it’s just animals though). Visit your local Gemeide (city hall) for instructions if you did not get them when you moved in.