Swiss Federal Council

Switzerland to Implement National plastic & Drink Brick Recycling Program – Key Takeaways

Here’s a breakdown of the key facts from the article, covering Switzerland’s new initiative to recycle plastic packaging and drink bricks:

The Core Change:

Switzerland is planning to introduce a national recycling program for plastic packaging and drink bricks, mirroring systems for PET and glass. Currently, most plastic packaging is incinerated (97%) rather than recycled. The program is driven by a desire to reduce plastic packaging and CO2 emissions, supported by both the Federal Council and a parliamentary motion.

Key Objectives & Timeline:

Recycling Targets: 55% for single-use plastic packaging and 70% for drink boxes.
Implementation Date: January 2027.
collection System: A dedicated bag will be provided for collection, with deposit points across Switzerland. Some municipalities already offer this through Recypac,but it’s currently limited.

Private Sector Duty: The government is leaving it to private actors (companies, associations) to organize the recycling process initially. Further measures will be considered if targets aren’t met.
Buisness Involvement: Businesses,including food trucks,will be required to accept returns of packaging.
Packaging Redesign: The initiative also aims to reduce the amount of packaging used overall. This includes eliminating overly complex or oversized packaging and reducing empty space within packaging (like cereal boxes).
Recyclability Focus: Packaging should prioritize recyclable materials, but this presents challenges for multi-layered products like milk bricks.

Complexity of Materials: Separating layers in packaging like milk bricks (plastic, aluminum, cardboard) is technically arduous.
Business skepticism: Gastrosuisse (representing restaurants) is skeptical about the return logistics, particularly for takeaway customers, and believes the recycling targets are too ambitious.
Greenpeace Criticism: Greenpeace argues the focus on recycling perpetuates single-use packaging and advocates for reusable distribution systems.
* International Agreements: Recent international negotiations on plastic pollution failed to reach a concrete agreement.

In essence,Switzerland is taking a important step towards a more circular economy for plastic packaging,but faces logistical,technical,and ideological hurdles in the process.