Swiss NGOs Call for Stronger Packaging Ordinance
The Swiss Plastic Action coalition, uniting ten environmental and consumer organisations, welcomes the revision of the Federal Packaging Ordinance as an important step toward a circular economy but warns that the current draft still falls short of what is needed to tackle plastic pollution and protect public health.
“Switzerland cannot solve its packaging crisis by recycling. We need binding reduction and reuse targets, a universal deposit system, and clear rules to eliminate toxic substances from packaging.”
In its joint submission to the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), the coalition calls for:
- Reduction at source: Binding targets to reduce total packaging waste by 5% by 2030, 10% by 2035, and 15% by 2040, compared with 2018 levels.
- Universal deposit system: A mandatory deposit covering all beverage packaging — reusable and single-use — to ensure high return rates and a level playing field between materials.
- Investment in reuse: Redirect part of the advance disposal fee (TEA) to finance reuse infrastructure, washing logistics, and national standards, as done in France and Germany.
- Safe materials: Ban hazardous chemicals and ensure all packaging, including recycled ones, is chemically inert and safe for consumers.
- Transparency: Stronger corporate reporting and independent verification to prevent greenwashing.
If adopted, these measures would align Switzerland with the EU’s forthcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and position the country as a credible leader in safe, circular packaging.
“This reform is a real opportunity for Switzerland to catch up with European standards and to protect both health and the environment”
Next steps: The consultation closed on 16 October. The coalition hopes that the government will integrate these recommendations in the final text of the ordinance expected in 2026.