The Swiss Federal Council has adopted a comprehensive package of regulatory amendments aimed at strengthening the circular economy, increasing recycling rates and harmonising enforcement against littering across Switzerland as communicated by press release. The reform introduces a new Packaging Ordinance (Verpackungsverordnung, VerpV), amends the Ordinance on the Avoidance and Disposal of Waste (Abfallverordnung, VVEA), as a result of which recoverable metals, including zinc, will have to be recovered from filter ash, and revises the Fixed Penalty Ordinance (Ordnungsbussenverordnung, OBV), with most measures entering into force on 1. August 2026 and 1. January 2027.

A key element of the reform is the replacement of the existing Beverage Container Ordinance with a new Packaging Ordinance covering all types of packaging. The new framework is designed to reduce the environmental impact of packaging by promoting recyclability, increasing the use of recycled materials and limiting unnecessary packaging and hazardous substances. It also introduces mandatory recycling targets for plastic packaging and beverage cartons, while requiring producers and retailers of single-use plastic packaging to provide separate collection systems for consumers.

The amendments to the Ordinance on the Avoidance and Disposal of Waste aims to reinforce the waste hierarchy by prioritising waste prevention, reuse and material recycling over disposal. They also require operators of municipal waste incineration plants to recover recyclable metals, including zinc, from filter ash, thereby implementing recent legislative reforms aimed at improving resource recovery.

In addition, the revised Fixed Penalty Ordinance introduces harmonised fines for littering and the unlawful disposal of larger quantities of municipal waste throughout Switzerland. Depending on the nature and quantity of the waste, fixed penalties may reach CHF 250.

Alongside the legislative package, the Federal Council has published extensive supporting documentation, including the final ordinances, explanatory reports, consultation summaries and additional implementation materials. Together, these documents aim to provide detailed guidance on the new regulatory framework and its practical application, making them an important resource for manufacturers, retailers, waste management operators and other stakeholders affected by the reforms.