Switzerland Approves New Packaging Recycling Rules Effective 2027

According to industry reports, Switzerland has adopted new packaging legislation that will introduce minimum recycling targets for packaging materials and require separate collection systems for single-use plastic packaging from 2027 as part of broader efforts to strengthen the country’s circular economy.

The Federal Council approved the new Ordinance on Packaging (VerpV), replacing packaging regulations that have been in place since 2000. The updated framework is intended to improve packaging recyclability, increase the use of recycled materials and reduce the environmental impact of packaging placed on the Swiss market.

Under the new rules, all packaging marketed in Switzerland must be designed to be “as recyclable as possible.” The ordinance establishes minimum recycling rates of 55% for plastic packaging and 70% for beverage cartons, creating new performance benchmarks for producers and importers. 

The legislation also requires businesses to eliminate unnecessary packaging and phase out packaging containing hazardous substances by 2030, in accordance with Switzerland’s Ordinance on Protection against Dangerous Substances and Preparations (ChemO).

A key provision of the new framework requires manufacturers and retailers to establish separate collection systems for single-use plastic packaging. The measure supports earlier parliamentary initiatives aimed at expanding plastic recycling and promoting the circular economy across Switzerland.

The ordinance also introduces an advance disposal fee for certain glass packaging, including food containers, to help finance end-of-life waste management. Beverage containers will continue to be exempt from deposit requirements.

In parallel, amendments to the Ordinance on Waste Avoidance and Disposal (VVEA), adopted in June, introduce additional measures to improve material recovery and resource efficiency. Among the changes is a requirement for waste incineration facilities to recover recyclable materials from filter ash, supporting the objectives of Switzerland's Environmental Protection Act.

The Federal Council has also approved revisions to administrative penalty rules, introducing standardized fines for littering and the illegal disposal of municipal waste. Depending on the type and quantity of waste involved, penalties can reach 250 Swiss francs.

The revised VVEA will enter into force on August 1, 2026, while the new Ordinance on Packaging will take effect at the beginning of 2027, giving businesses time to prepare for the new recycling and collection requirements.

The measures reflect a broader international trend toward stricter packaging regulation as governments seek to improve recycling performance, reduce waste generation and increase producer responsibility for packaging materials.

Source: The Federal Council of the Swiss Confederation

SUNSHINE Spotlight: Switzerland’s new packaging rules introduce mandatory recycling targets and separate collection systems for plastic packaging, reinforcing the country’s shift toward higher recycling rates and stronger circular economy policies.