Switzerland consumes three times as much plastic as other European countries
Plastic pollution in Switzerland may only be a small part of the global plastic waste problem.
However, we are responsible for it and can and should contribute to change.
A brief overview of the problem situation
Every year, more than 5,000 tons of plastic are released into the environment in Switzerland, directly affecting soil and water. [Empa, 2019]
Switzerland consumes three times as much plastic as other European countries, but recycles 30% less.
[Swissinfo, 2018]
Around 4,400 tons of macroplastics end up in our soils every year. In addition, about 100 metric tons end up in waterways. With regard to the
Microplastic pollution looks like this: 600 tons of microplastics end up in our soils and about 15 tons in our waters. [Empa, 2019]
About 65.4% of the waste and pollutants found in Swiss rivers and lakes are plastic. [Swiss Litter Report, 2018]
While the EU is working on a plastics strategy to ensure that all plastic packaging used in its 28 member states can be either recycled or reused by 2030, the Swiss government has said there is no plan to follow the EU. [Swissinfo, 2018]
What is currently being done to solve the problem:
At the federal level.
Switzerland has initiated a voluntary agreement with retailers to charge for single-use plastic bags. Participating retailers no longer offer free single-use plastic bags to their customers. This has resulted in 84% less demand at checkouts in 2016/2017. The number of single-use bags is expected to decrease by another 70% to 80% by 2025.
However, plastic bags are only one type of plastic waste in Switzerland. Plastic straws,
bottles and other single-use products are not included in the agreement.
Since the agreement is voluntary, the government does not require retailers to apply it mandatorily. And as a result, not all retailers apply it.
At cantonal level
As of January 01, 2020, the sale of single-use plastic products has been banned in the city of Geneva. The ban includes plastic bags, straws, drink stirrers, plates, cutlery, cups and cup lids. The ban is part of Geneva's cantonal plan to reduce plastic waste by 25% by 2024. It also aims to reduce the pollution level of Lake Geneva.
So far, the ban only applies in Geneva and not in other cities in Switzerland. The national government has stated that a nationwide ban is not planned.
At retailer level
Migros wants to reuse 70% of its plastic waste in the long term. The supermarket chain has recently started offering its customers the Migros home collection bag, in which all plastic waste can be collected. Customers can take the filled bag back to the Migros collection point when they next shop, where it will be taken care of for possible recycling.
For the time being, the Migros plastic collection bag is only available in stores in Lucerne. Step by step, other Migros stores throughout Switzerland are to follow by 2021.
Although all these measures go in the right direction, we are only tackling the tip of the plastic waste problem. One thing is certain: even with regular cleaning of rivers and lakes, a considerable amount of waste is generated on the banks of Swiss waters every month.
shores of Swiss waters each month, which can end up in the ocean. The problem will worsen if we do not apply more sustainable alternatives to the use of plastic in our daily lives.