Practical Information

Waste Prevention & Recycling

Though there are no mandatory recycling laws for general household rubbish, recycling is extremely popular in Switzerland, both because the Swiss like having a clean country, and one pays for trash collection by volume. Recycling rules and procedures vary by community. Generally, refuse is collected in bags of four different sizes and is charged accordingly.

For example, in Zurich the charge on the largest sack of 110-litre capacity has been 3 Swiss francs since January 1, 1993. For the 60-litre sack 2.10 Swiss francs is charged, 1.25 Swiss francs or 65 cents respectively for the 35- or 17-litre sacks. Recycling rules and charges vary from municipality to municipality so check with local city offices for more specific information.