Switzerland's price watchdog wants distributors of free newspapers and take-away businesses to pay for the costs of littering.

Rudolf Strahm says the principle that the polluter pays should also apply to litter and free newspapers in public places.

The newsletter of the price supervisor says that current policy on the issue does not properly take into account this principle in the costs of such litter.

The government made it clear at the beginning of June that it was considering introducing a disposal fee for free newspapers that were causing a litter problem.

A round table on the issue is being organised by the Federal Environment Office in September. It will include representatives of cantons and communes, as well as newspaper publishers.

If the talks do not bring a solution, the environment office is to prepare the introduction of a disposal fee on behalf of the government.

The editor-in-chief of one of the freesheets noted that a fee was already being paid for disposal as part of the rental of street stands.

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