The recycling rate for Swiss household waste has doubled in the last twenty years and is more than 50 % today. Even though Switzerland is thus above the European average of around 30 %, it is however one of the biggest producers of waste in Europe.

The waste management industry in Switzerland is based on the polluter pays principle as regards refuse and bulky items. Everyone pays for what they throw away. Refuse bags are taxed with a charge per bag in most municipalities, and a few municipalities use customary bags and chargeable stickers for sticking on them. In every municipality, you can buy refuse bags and stickers in any stores on request at the till or over the counter as well as at the Post Office (one roll of ten bags costs up to CHF 26 depending on the size).

The official collection points have separate recycling stations where you can separately dispose of recycling material such as glass bottles, PET bottles and plastic bottles, paper, metal cans, batteries and textiles. PET and plastic bottles as well as batteries can also be returned in grocery stores and other stores, usually deposit-free. On certain days, paper and cardboard can be left bundled by the side of the road where they are collected by municipality workers. The waste collection dates are issued by each municipality in their own waste calendars, which are sent to residents annually. Big bulky items such as furniture made out of wood, plastic or metal, mattresses, carpets, electrical appliances etc. can also be disposed of at the recycling centre or at the collection point.