Bottle Bill Resource Guide

Law Summary

Ordinance On Beverage Containers (814.621)

Date Implemented

Passed 5 January 2000; implemented 1 January 2001

Containers Covered

Refillables, and one-way containers that are recycled at levels below 75% by weight.

Deposit Amount No less than CHF 0.30 for refillable containers and non-refillable PVC [1]
Beverages Covered

Refillables:

  • All beverages

Single-use:

  • One-way soft drinks
  • Beer
  • Mineral water
Fees and Taxes 

Glass bottles: [2]

Volume

Fee (CHF = Swiss Franc)

< 0,09 Liter

Free

0.09 – 0.33 Liter

CHF 0.02

0.34 – 0.60 Liter

CHF 0.04

> 0.60 Liter

CHF 0.06

Program Success

Recycling rates, 2017*: [3]

Glass: 94% 

PET: 83% 

Aluminum: 92% 

*Note: because these recycling rates are all above 75%, the deposit requirement is not in effect.

Details

The July 5, 2000 “Ordinance On Beverage Containers” (814.621) repeals the August 22, 1990 ordinance of the same name. It regulates the supply and take-back of beverage containers in Switzerland, and finances glass bottle recycling. It places a mandatory deposit on refillable containers and non-refillable PVC plastic containers, and requires take-back and recycling of one-way and refillable beverage containers by dealers, manufacturers, and importers at their own expense. It requires that a deposit be imposed on non-refillable glass, PET, and aluminum beverage containers if their recycling rates fall below 75% by weight. [Footnote: “Calculation method for the recycling rate of beverage containers,” Federal Office for the Environment website, accessed 11/29/18].] 

According to the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment, The IGORA-Genossenschaft aluminium recycling cooperative levies a prepaid disposal fee on aluminum beverage cans and uses the fees to finance recycling activities. [footnote: “Aluminium packaging.” Federal Office for the Environment website, accessed 11/29/18.]

Footnotes

1. “Ordinance On Beverage Containers” (814.621), July, 5, 2000.

2. Personal communication from Philipp, Info VetroswissThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 12-4-18

3. Verwertung von Getränkeverpackungen 2017 (Recycling of Beverage Containers 2017), Bundesamt für Umwelt BAFU https://www.bafu.admin.ch/dam/bafu/en/dokumente/abfall/statistik/statistik-getraenkeverpackungen-2017.pdf.download.pdf/Verwertung%20von%20Getr%C3%A4nkeverpackungen%202017.pdf

 

Last Updated On 12 December 2021.

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More Info - Switzerland

Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN)

Waste and Raw Materials Division 
Tel.: 031 322 90 00 
Fax.: 031 322 70 54 
[email protected] 
[email protected]
http://www.bafu.admin.ch

Igora (aluminum recycling)

Verein PRS PET-Recycling 

Schweiz
Naglerwiesenstrasse 4
8049 Zürich

Tel: 044 344 10 80
[email protected]

VetroSwiss (glass recycling)

ATAG Wirtschaftsorganisationen AG 
PO Box 1023 
3000 Berne 14 
Tel. 031 380 79 90

[email protected]