On June 25, 2025, the Swiss Federal Council (Bundesrat) made a bundle of amended ordinances related to environmental law available for public consultation. The changes are meant to support a circular economy in Switzerland and include waste- and packaging ordinances. The proposals include extended producer-responsibility obligations beyond drinks bottles to all packaging formats, raise recycling targets, prioritize reuse and recycling over other waste treatment options, and introduce both a nationwide littering fine and tougher penalties for large-scale illegal dumping.
The new packaging ordinance (VerpV) will include all types of packaging, whatever the material. It expressly covers single-use, multi-use, beverage, service, and plastic packaging and will replace the ordinance on beverage packaging from 2000. Some particularly relevant points include:
Art. 3: Following the new ordinance, “where technically and economically feasible,” all packaging placed on the Swiss market must 1) use the minimum volume/mass necessary, 2) avoid technical hurdles in collection & recycling, and 3) contain “the highest possible share” of recycled content.
Art. 4-6: Beverage cartons and other disposable plastic packaging must be taken back by producers/retailers unless they fund an approved industry recycling scheme. If targets of 70 % recycling (cartons) and 55 % (plastics) are missed, authorities can impose an advance disposal fee or mandatory deposit.
Art. 7-15: Producers and importers of glass packaging will pay CHF 0.01-0.10 per pack with the funds used to cover nationwide collection, sorting, cullet preparation, information campaigns, and BAFU oversight. Small volumes and non-food uses are exempt.
Art. 16-17: A deposit of ≥ CHF 0.30 will be mandatory on every multi-use beverage container and retailers must take them back. Exemptions apply only if an organization proves ≥ 80% return within five years.
The packaging ordinance is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, with some take-back deadlines beginning on January 1, 2028, and reporting beginning January 1, 2029. The proposed changes to all the circular economy related ordinances are open to public consultation until October 16, 2025.
Reference
Government of Switzerland (June 25, 2025). “Federal Council sends amended ordinances to strengthen the circular economy for consultation.” (in German, also available in French and Italian).
