Switzerland – Refuse and waste related services – Erhebung, Verwaltung und Verwendung der vorgezogenen Entsorgungsgebühr auf Getränkeverpackungen aus Glas 2026-2030

Used glass beverage containers are considered municipal waste and are particularly suitable for recycling. The cantons are responsible for ensuring that they are collected and recycled separately to the greatest extent possible (Art. 13 of the Ordinance on the Avoidance and Disposal of Waste of 4 December 2015, VVEA; SR 814.600). The disposal of municipal waste must be financed according to the polluter-pays principle. The Federal Council regulated the financing of the disposal of glass beverage containers by means of an advance disposal fee (VEG) in the Ordinance of 5 July 2000 on Beverage Packaging (VGV; SR 814.621). Since 1 January 2002, an advance disposal fee (VEG) has been levied in Switzerland on manufacturers and importers of glass beverage containers. The Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) commissions a private organization to collect the VEG fees from manufacturers and importers and distribute them to the entitled parties (Art. 32abis of the Environmental Protection Act of 7 October 1983, EPA; SR 814.01). The FOEN concludes a contract with the private organization for a maximum term of five years (Art. 15 para. 2 VEG Ordinance). This organization may not pursue any economic interests related to the production, import, export, distribution, or disposal of beverage packaging (Art. 15 para. 1 VEG Ordinance). The future contracting organization will collect, manage, and use the VEG fees between 2026 and 2030. The FOEN will provide the necessary IT solution for this purpose. The contracting organization will conduct targeted information and awareness-raising activities for various stakeholders. It will operate under the brand name "VetroSwiss". The name “VetroSwiss” is owned by the Swiss Confederation.