Our primary aim should be to avoid generating waste. If this is not possible, waste should be reused or recycled. In the waste recycling hierarchy, Swiss environmental legislation prioritises preparation for reuse and material recovery, provided these are technically possible, economically viable and more environmentally friendly than other disposal methods. Recycling is the most frequent waste disposal method in Switzerland. Combustible waste that cannot be recycled is used to produce energy, for example in waste incineration plants, where the heat generated is used for district heating and electricity generation. Non-combustible waste is treated where necessary and sent to landfill. The aim is to keep the use of landfill to a minimum so that raw materials remain in the economic cycle for as long as possible. It is important to employ the waste disposal method with the least impact on the environment. The waste disposal methods commonly used in Switzerland are defined and described below:
Preparation for reuse
Preparation for reuse refers to the treatment of waste so that it can be turned back into products. Disposed items usually undergo a number of treatment steps, such as testing, cleaning, repair and reprocessing, in order to make them usable again for their original purpose and to return them to the product cycle.
Material recovery (recycling)
Material recovery involves processing waste so that all or at least parts of it can be reused as secondary raw materials. For example, metals can be recovered from electronic waste, aggregates from excavated material or phosphorus from sewage sludge. The anaerobic digestion process is also a type of material recovery, as it converts biogenic waste into usable products (biogas and digestate).
Energy recovery
Combustible waste from households or industry and businesses (e.g. combustible construction waste) that is not suitable for recycling is disposed of in waste incineration plants, cement works or waste wood furnaces. The heat generated is used to produce electricity and to heat buildings. Alternatively, waste with a high calorific value and low levels of pollutants may be used as a substitute for fossil fuels in industrial plants such as cement works. Waste contaminated with organic pollutants is thermally treated separately (e.g. at hazardous waste incineration plants). All incineration plants have an advanced flue gas cleaning system that largely eliminates the pollutants in the flue gas stream. This means that emissions meet or fall significantly short of the legally stipulated limits. Standards for flue gas cleaning and furnaces depend on the type of waste burnt.
Chemical-physical and biological treatment
The aim of both chemical-physical and biological treatment is to remove pollutants from waste or to ensure it can be disposed of safely. Wastewater and contaminated excavated material, for example from the remediation of contaminated sites, are types of waste typically treated in this way. After chemical-physical treatment, the pollutants can be disposed of in concentrated form in suitable facilities.
Landfills
Residues from waste incineration and waste that is not suitable for material or thermal recovery are deposited in legally compliant landfills. The majority of this deposited waste is mineral construction waste and inert residues from waste incineration. If waste does not meet disposal requirements, it must be pre-treated accordingly.
Collection and logistics
There are many specialist players in the waste management industry. Their tasks include collecting the waste at source (from industry, businesses and households) in suitable transport containers, storing it temporarily and forwarding it to waste disposal companies. Waste is often treated in a cascade of specialised plants. Well-organised logistics are essential if waste is to be handled efficiently. Movements of hazardous waste must be documented in accordance with the Waste Movements Ordinance.
Further information
Last modification 24.02.2025
