Current status: A consultation process has been launched regarding six revisions to ordinances in the environmental sector; the deadline for comments is April 12, 2026. This revision aims to implement the amendments to the Environmental Protection Act (EPA), particularly those related to the circular economy.
But what laws govern waste management in Switzerland?
The Environmental Protection Act (EPA)
This is the core law governing environmental protection in Switzerland and serves as the basis for all waste regulations. The first version of the law, enacted in 1983, established the fundamental principles of separate collection: waste must be managed in the most environmentally friendly manner possible and recycled, but it must also be disposed of within Switzerland whenever appropriate and conditions permit.
Following Parliamentary Initiative 20.433, “Developing the Circular Economy in Switzerland,” introduced in 2020:
- In May 2023, the National Council adopted a draft revision of the Environmental Protection Act;
- Both chambers of the Federal Assembly adopted the amendment on September 27, 2024;
- The Federal Council subsequently confirmed on November 13, 2024, that most of the legal amendments resulting from this initiative would take effect on January 1, 2025. (Parliament, 2020)
The focus is now also on resource conservation and the circular economy (reuse and recycling whenever technically feasible, economically viable, and better for the environment). The law also aims to combat planned obsolescence by establishing requirements regarding the lifespan and repairability of products. (Art. 35i, para. 1, letters a and b, EPA)
Despite legislative progress toward a circular economy, the resources needed for implementation are lacking, the regulatory framework remains partially under development, and certain issues—such as reducing packaging or limiting and eliminating waste—remain voluntary. In this context, ZeroWaste Switzerland (ZWS) participated in two consultations in 2025 (see below), hoping that the Federal Council will incorporate these recommendations into the final text expected in 2026. In the coming years, the implementation of Initiative 20.433 will depend largely on the adoption of implementing ordinances and the mobilization of local stakeholders. In this context, ZWS will continue to play a leading role by supporting pilot projects, fostering cooperation among local authorities, and contributing to the evolution of the Swiss legislative framework.
Federal implementing regulations:
ADWO
For more than two decades, the Technical Ordinance on Waste (TOW) governed the management of various types of waste in Switzerland. On January 1, 2016, the TOW was completely revised and has since been known as the “Ordinance on the Avoidance and Disposal of Waste” (ADWO). It finally places the emphasis on waste minimization, reduction, and targeted recycling. In accordance with the ADWO, the cantons ensure that recyclable fractions of municipal waste—such as glass, cardboard, metals, green waste, and textiles—are collected separately and recycled (FOEN, 2025)
Packaging Ordinance
Currently, the production of household plastic packaging in Switzerland is estimated at 195,000 metric tons per year (Recypac, 2024). The revision of the Packaging Ordinance, which is expected to take effect by this summer, will require retailers to minimize packaging (to the extent that current technology allows and it is economically feasible), as well as to collect and recycle 55% of plastic packaging and 70% of beverage cartons. (Plastic Recycler, 2025).
Cantonal and municipal regulations
It is important to note that the practical implementation of waste management policy is not solely the responsibility of the federal government. It falls largely to the cantons and municipalities, which ensure its operational implementation through their own laws and regulations.
The cantons play a coordinating and supervisory role. They are responsible for the overall organization of waste management within their territory. They enact cantonal laws and waste management plans, plan and oversee infrastructure, and ensure compliance with federal regulations.
Local authorities, for their part, are responsible for the financing arrangements (such as a bag tax) and the practical arrangements (collection points, sorting, and waste disposal) (FOEN, 2018).
Latest developments
In 2025, the Federal Council opened a public consultation on a draft revision of the Ordinance on the Avoidance and Disposal of Waste (AWDO) and a draft of a new Packaging Ordinance. The consultation ended on October 16, 2025.
The “Long Live Our Objects” Coalition, of which ZWS is a member, published its recommendations at the end of the consultation. They are organized around three main areas:
- Reduce waste generation;
- Support the preparation of items and packaging for reuse;
- Reduce single-use products and packaging and encourage their reuse.
Read the full statement.
The Swiss Plastic Action Coalition, of which ZWS is a member, has called for the Packaging Ordinance to be strengthened, shifting the focus from recycling to prevention and reuse. It emphasizes that the current text remains insufficient to curb plastic pollution and protect public health. In particular, the coalition recommends:
- Binding reduction targets at the source (-5% by 2030, -10% by 2035, -15% by 2040 compared to 2018);
- A universal deposit system covering all beverage containers, both reusable and disposable;
- Investment in reuse, using a portion of the advance disposal fee to fund national infrastructure and standards;
- Safe materials, free of hazardous substances;
- Greater transparency, with reporting requirements and independent audits to prevent greenwashing.
Read the full statement.
In Europe
The European PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation) will take effect on August 12, 2026, in all EU member states (Eur-lex, 2024). It calls for reducing packaging at the source and banning certain types of single-use packaging. It sets targets for reuse and recyclability: by 2030, all packaging placed on the European market must be recyclable, and materials must contain a minimum percentage of recycled plastics.
The packaging waste reduction targets are the same as those recommended by Swiss Plastic Action (5% by 2030, 10% by 2035, and 15% by 2040—amounting to a 37% reduction in absolute terms by 2040) (Lemontri, 2025). Thus, Swiss companies have solid sources of inspiration to move toward a model that, initially, improves recycling and, subsequently, significantly reduces waste generation. Furthermore, those that export goods to the European Union must ensure that their products comply with the requirements of the PPWR. (Swissrecycle, 2023).
Conclusion
Several options are on the table to move toward better waste management and greater transparency by maximizing the use of recycled materials and minimizing the use of single-use items. The 4 Rs (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) should guide both businesses and individuals.
References
The Swiss Parliament. (2020). Developing the Circular Economy in Switzerland. https://www.parlament.ch/fr/ratsbetrieb/suche-curia-vista/geschaeft?AffairId=20200433
Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN). (2025). Ordinance on Waste Reduction and Disposal (OWRD): Preserving Resources. https://www.bafu.admin.ch/fr/oled
Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN). (2018). Financing of municipal waste disposal. https://www.bafu.admin.ch/dam/fr/sd-web/tpCdsKj5ouj9/uv-1827-finanzierung-der-siedlungsabfallentsorgung.pdf?utm
Plastic Recycler. (2025). Draft Ordinance on Packaging. https://plasticrecycler.ch/fr/news-archiv/verpackungsverordnung/
Official Journal of the EU. (2024). REGULATION (EU) 2025/40. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/FR/TXT/HTML/?uri=OJ:L_202500040
Lemontri. (2025). PPWR: The Regulation That Will Transform Packaging in Europe https://lemontri.fr/ppwr-emballages/
Swissrecycle. (2023). What do the new European packaging regulations mean for Switzerland? https://swissrecycle.ch/fr/actuel/detail/que-signifie-la-nouvelle-reglementation-europeenne-sur-les-emballages-pour-la-suisse-1