Nation enforces penalties across the country for acts of trash disposal improperly
In an effort to curb littering and promote a cleaner Switzerland, the Federal Council has proposed a new system for standardized littering fines across the country. Currently, littering fines are regulated by individual cantons and local councils.
Under the proposed system, a flat CHF 100 fine will be issued for littering or leaving behind a single piece of rubbish. This fine will be the base for a tiered structure, with a CHF 200 fine for leaving behind two or more pieces of litter. For larger waste, anything between 35 and 110 litres, a maximum fine of CHF 300 will be imposed, as seen in the canton of Thurgau.
The Federal Council's proposals aim to introduce uniformity in fines for such offenses, which currently vary across Switzerland. The details of the proposed system are under consultation until the 16th of October.
Switzerland, known for its high recycling rates, produces a significant amount of waste. According to data from Switzerland's Federal Office for the Environment (BAFU) and the 2022 report by OceanCare, a Swiss-based non-profit, the country produces 671 kilogrammes of waste each year, making it one of the world's largest producers of waste.
Interestingly, the majority of plastic waste in Switzerland is incinerated, with only around 10 percent of the 127 kilos each resident produces each year recycled. This highlights the need for more effective waste management strategies, such as the proposed standardized littering fines and the plan for a Switzerland-wide collection of recyclable plastic packaging.
In addition to the proposed fines, abandoning large items by the side of the street can lead to prosecution and fines up to CHF 20,000. The canton of Thurgau recently increased fines for throwing a cigarette butt away from CHF 50 to CHF 300.
These new measures are part of a broader waste management reform aimed at improving recycling rates and reducing waste production in Switzerland. The country, one of Europe's top recyclers, currently recycles just over half of the waste it produces. The reform seeks to increase this figure and promote a cleaner, more sustainable Switzerland.
- To address climate change and improve the environment, Switzerland's Federal Council has proposed a policy that includes standardized littering fines, aiming to reduce waste and promote recycling, as discussed in environmental-science circles and general news.
- Under this proposed legislation, leaving behind a single piece of rubbish will incur a CHF 100 fine, while two or more pieces could result in a twice as high CHF 200 fine, as observed already in the canton of Thurgau.
- Furthermore, politics and policy-and-legislation in Switzerland are set to consider increased fines for abandoning large items, up to CHF 20,000, as part of a broader reform aiming to enhance recycling rates and decrease waste production across the country.
