Financial Penalties Imposed for Littering in Switzerland's Upcoming Regulations
Swiss Government Proposes New Measures to Enforce Cleanliness and Promote Circular Economy
The Swiss government has announced plans to strengthen its anti-littering ordinances and promote the circular economy. The consultation period for these proposals ends on October 16th.
The government has initiated a consultation on an ordinance to introduce a national 'littering fine.' The proposed fines apply to individuals aged 16 and above caught discarding trash in public places. A fine of 100 francs is proposed for discarding a single piece of small waste, such as a cigarette butt or a sandwich wrapper. The fine increases to 200 francs for discarding two or more pieces of small waste. A fine of up to 300 francs may be imposed for discarding waste between 35 and 110 litres. Criminal proceedings could be initiated for litter exceeding 110 litres, with a potential fine of up to 20,000 francs.
The fines are aimed at deterring littering, which can be harmful to both the environment and the security of the electricity supply. Overhead power lines can be fatal for large birds, and a short circuit caused by a bird can sometimes lead to serious power outages. The proposed measure therefore contributes to both the protection of birds and the security of the electricity supply.
In addition to the littering fine, the government plans to bring into force other pieces of legislation strengthening the circular economy, prioritizing reuse and recycling over disposal, starting from August 1st. One of the ordinances aims to enable the recovery of recyclable metals, such as zinc, from the fly ash of household waste incineration plants, starting from 2026.
Another ordinance has been proposed to remediate electricity pylons that pose a risk of electrocution to birds. The ordinance aims to replace existing regional littering fines and establish a nationwide separate collection system for recyclable plastic packaging.
Switzerland is also hosting key UN negotiations expected in August 2025 to establish a global treaty on plastics pollution addressing the entire life cycle of plastics from production to waste management, aiming to improve nation-wide plastic packaging collection and curb plastic pollution. Though exact Swiss national provisions on nationwide plastic packaging collection are not provided, this treaty context indicates strong commitments towards circular economy principles.
Related provisions focusing on strengthening the circular economy include mandatory use of recycled materials, increasing recycling rates especially for critical raw materials, promoting refurbishing frameworks that temporarily defer recycling obligations, and reducing waste generation overall as a part of EU and international waste legislation approaches influencing Swiss policy.
Though no direct Swiss specifics on bird safety were found, international treaty discussions on plastic pollution and waste reduction generally emphasize ecosystem protection, which would include the safety of birds affected by plastic waste and pollution.
In summary, the Swiss government is taking significant steps to enforce cleanliness and promote the circular economy. The proposed fines for littering aim to deter individuals from discarding waste in public places, while the new ordinances focus on the recovery of recyclable metals and the establishment of a nationwide separate collection system for recyclable plastic packaging. The government's involvement in global treaties to reduce plastic production and pollution also indicates a strong commitment towards circular economy principles and the protection of ecosystems.
The Swiss government's proposals extend beyond the littering fine, as they also aim to boost environmental-science efforts in recycling and reuse, particularly for recyclable plastics and metals like zinc. To ensure financial sustainability, these initiatives could potentially contribute to the national business sector through the implementation of efficient recycling practices and strategies.
Given that littering can pose risks to both environmental-science and public safety concerns, such as electrical system disruptions from bird-related short-circuits, the government's measures are not only eco-friendly but also financially prudent, aligning with the principles of business and finance.
