Switzerland Recycles 3.1 Million Tonnes of Materials annually, Equating to 3.5 Golden Gate Bridges
Bern, Switzerland – November 25, 2025 – Swiss residents recycled 3.1 million tonnes of raw materials last year, demonstrating the nation’s commitment to waste management and resource recovery. This figure, released today by Swiss Recycle, represents nearly half of the 670 kg of waste produced per person annually – approximately 350 kg recycled per inhabitant.
The considerable volume of recycled materials underscores Switzerland’s progress in diverting waste from landfills and incinerators, mitigating environmental impact, and fostering a circular economy. According to Swiss Recycle, the benefit of this recycling effort is comparable to the annual environmental impact of the city of Lugano and it’s 66,000 inhabitants. The data, drawn from Swiss Recycle’s 2025 activity report and waste statistics from the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), highlights a significant shift from 1970, when much of today’s recycled materials were disposed of through incineration or landfill.
More than half (52%) of urban waste in Switzerland is now collected separately for recycling. The association illustrated the impact of individual recycling efforts, noting that collecting one 0.5-liter PET bottle avoids an environmental impact equivalent to 43 requests to ChatGPT, while one kilogram of recycled batteries and accumulators saves the equivalent environmental cost of a train journey between Bern and Geneva. An LCD television can yield nearly 8.7 kilos of recovered iron.
The increase in recycling comes despite a tripling in the amount of waste produced per person annually since 1970, emphasizing the growing need for continued investment in enduring waste management practices.
