Financial Penalty for Littering in Switzerland: Amount to Increase in Future
The Swiss government has announced new measures to tackle littering and waste management, with a focus on enforcing better environmental practices and reducing pollution.
The proposed measures include fines for individuals over the age of 16 who discard trash in public places. The fines for small waste, not exceeding 35 litres, stand at 100 francs for a single piece and 200 francs for throwing out two or more pieces. Larger waste, between 35 and 110 litres, could attract a fine of up to 300 francs. For waste exceeding 110 litres, criminal proceedings could be initiated, with a potential fine of up to 20,000 francs.
In addition to these fines, the government is proposing a national 'littering fine' ordinance, which aims to replace existing regional littering fines. This ordinance is part of a broader initiative to reduce plastic waste, which officials note is severely impacting lakes and ecosystems.
Another ordinance intends to establish a nationwide separate collection system for recyclable plastic packaging. This move aligns with ongoing global discussions in Geneva aimed at establishing binding agreements on plastic pollution reduction.
The government has also committed to the remediation of electricity pylons to protect bird populations. According to the Federal Council, overhead power lines can be fatal for large birds, and a short circuit caused by a bird can sometimes lead to serious power outages.
These regulations form part of Switzerland’s comprehensive strategy, which includes UN-led treaty negotiations focused on plastic pollution. The government is also proposing an ordinance to enable the recovery of recyclable metals, such as zinc, from the fly ash of household waste incineration plants, starting in 2026.
The consultation period for these proposals ends on October 16th, giving the public an opportunity to voice their opinions on these new measures. The government plans to bring into force other pieces of legislation seeking to strengthen the circular economy starting from August 1st.
The proposed national 'littering fine' ordinance is part of a broader initiative, targeting not just littering, but also plastic waste that significantly affects lakes and ecosystems, indicating a shift towards environmental science and climate-change awareness. The government's strategy also includes the establishment of a separate collection system for recyclable plastic packaging, aligning with global discussions on plastic pollution reduction in business and finance sectors.
