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.
First large-scale alpine solar plant approved in Switzerland
This content was published on
The approval was met with satisfaction by the project's organisers, but it also brings with it a certain amount of pressure.
Medieval squirrels may have ‘helped spread leprosy’
This content was published on
An examination of squirrel remains in the United Kingdom has opened up interesting questions and possibilities in terms of the history of the disease.
Swiss money laundering office registers record number of reports
This content was published on
The Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS) registered a record number of reports of suspicious activity last year.
Two teens accused of planning terror attack released from custody
This content was published on
The Schaffhausen judiciary has released the two teenagers from custody who allegedly planned bomb attacks in Switzerland.
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.