Switzerland is one of the biggest producers of urban waste in Europe, according to figures released by Eurostat, the EU’s statistics office, on Thursday. Only the Danes (766 kg) and the Norwegians (739 kg) throw away more.
Other big waste generating countries include Iceland (656 kg), Malta (640), Cyprus (637) and Germany (615). The European average is 492 kilos for 2018 with Romania at the bottom of the table with only 271 kilos of waste per head.
Despite ranking as one of the largest producers of urban waste in Europe, Swiss waste production is 5% less than the peak in 2008 when per capita waste generation was 733 kilos. It is also three kilos less than 2017.
In terms of recycling, each inhabitant of the European Union recycled 150 kilos of waste, compared to a mere 54 kilos in 1995. Composting per capita was 84 kilos compared to 33 kilos in 1995. In comparison the Swiss were good Europeans recycling 217 kg and composting 152 kilos in 2018.
More
More
How the Swiss deal with waste
This content was published on
Switzerland scores well in areas like innovation and quality of life, but it’s also a champion at waste generation.
Trump made direct financial demands during call with Swiss president
This content was published on
During the telephone call between Karin Keller-Sutter and Donald Trump on July 31, Trump demanded direct payments from Switzerland, according to an investigation by SonntagsBlick.
Demonstrators in Swiss capital demand better access to mental health care
This content was published on
Thousands of people demonstrated in Berne on Saturday afternoon against long waiting lists, the lack of therapy places and the absence of a clear pricing structure.
This content was published on
Swiss companies' expectations for salary growth are down by 0.3 percentage points compared to a year ago, according to a survey conducted by the Center for Economic Research (KOF).
One Swiss national killed in plane accident in southern France
This content was published on
A Swiss national was killed alongside a German national in a crash involving two light aircraft on Saturday afternoon in Saint-Pons, south-eastern France.
Over 6,000 apprenticeships remain unfilled in Switzerland
This content was published on
By mid-August, which is the start of the Swiss school year, some 6,400 apprenticeship vacancies remain, mainly in the construction, catering and machinery industries.
Japanese film Tabi to Hibi wins Golden Leopard at Locarno
This content was published on
The Japanese film Tabi to Hibi by director Sho Miyake won the Golden Leopard, the top prize in the international competition, on the final day of the Locarno Festival.
Switzerland could produce up to 5Mt of emissions annually by 2050
This content was published on
Two to five megatonnes of CO2 equivalents per year: this is the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that Switzerland is still expected to produce annually in 2050, a new study shows.
US tariffs putting 100,000 jobs at risk in Switzerland
This content was published on
US tariffs of 39% on Swiss imports will directly affect 100,000 jobs, mainly in the watchmaking, machinery, metals, and food industries, economiesuisse warns.
This content was published on
Switzerland has released CHF4 million (nearly $5 million) to help Sudan, which has been severely affected by famine and cholera.
Switzerland rejects new Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory
This content was published on
Switzerland says it rejects the announced construction of thousands of housing units in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian West Bank.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss business takes on global waste
This content was published on
The recycling subscription service with a social mission Mr. Green has been a big hit with busy families and business in cities in Switzerland. But can it work in Africa?
Plastic: How can the Swiss use so much and recycle so little?
This content was published on
Switzerland consumes three times as much plastic as EU countries, but recycles 30% less. Bans on plastic in the EU and China may change that.
This content was published on
French border towns are reacting after a slew of incidents of Swiss residents being caught dumping rubbish across the border in France.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.