Sortavixa
Switzerland operates one of the most structured household recycling systems in the world, with separate collection streams for dozens of material categories. Understanding what goes where — and why — helps you sort with confidence and avoid the fees associated with incorrectly disposed waste. Sortavixa organises guidance by material type so you can quickly find the information most relevant to what you have in hand. Each section below explains accepted preparation standards, collection points, and any cantonal variations you should know about. Use this section as your go-to reference whenever you are unsure about a specific item in your home.
PET bottles carry a dedicated return system in Switzerland, with collection points at most supermarkets and train stations. Rinse bottles before returning them and ensure caps are removed where indicated by your local commune. Other plastic packaging, such as yoghurt pots or film wrap, follows different rules depending on your municipality — Sortavixa clarifies exactly which plastics your commune accepts.
Switzerland collects glass separately by colour — clear, green, and brown — to maintain the quality of recycled cullet for glass manufacturers. Bring bottles and jars to your nearest glass collection bank, which are typically found in supermarket car parks and public squares. Remove metal lids and corks before depositing glass, and never use the glass bank before 7 a.m. or after 8 p.m. to respect neighbourhood quiet hours.
Paper and cardboard are among Switzerland's highest-volume recyclable streams and are collected kerbside in most communes on a regular schedule. Flatten cardboard boxes and tie paper into bundles no heavier than 10 kg for safe handling by collection crews. Remove plastic windows from envelopes and do not mix paper with wet or food-soiled cardboard, which should go to organic or general waste instead.
Aluminium drinks cans and tin food cans are accepted at dedicated metal collection points found near most glass banks and supermarkets. Crush cans lightly to save space and rinse to remove food residue before depositing. Aluminium foil and baking trays are also recyclable in Switzerland — collect them separately and place in the aluminium collection container rather than the tin stream.
Switzerland operates a comprehensive take-back system for electrical and electronic equipment under the SENS eRecycling programme. Any shop that sells electronic goods is legally required to accept old items of the same category for recycling, free of charge. This covers everything from mobile phones and laptops to kitchen appliances and power tools — never place e-waste in ordinary refuse bags.
Portable batteries of all types — alkaline, lithium, NiMH — must be collected separately and are never to be placed in household refuse or recycling bins due to fire and chemical risk. Collection boxes are available at supermarkets, petrol stations, post offices, and electronics retailers throughout Switzerland. Tape the terminals of lithium batteries with insulating tape before depositing to prevent short-circuit during transport.
Unused or expired medicines should be returned to any pharmacy in Switzerland, which is obligated to accept them at no charge under federal health regulations. Household chemicals such as paint, solvents, pesticides, and cleaning agents must go to your commune's hazardous waste collection day or a permanent SERO collection point. Never pour chemicals down the drain or place them in refuse bags — they contaminate water systems and waste treatment facilities.
Most Swiss communes provide brown bins or compostable bags for organic kitchen waste, which is processed into compost or biogas through anaerobic digestion. Accepted materials typically include vegetable peelings, fruit scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, and small garden cuttings. Meat, fish, and dairy are accepted in some communes but not others — Sortavixa confirms the exact rules for your address.
Old furniture, mattresses, and large household items cannot go into standard refuse bags and must be booked for special collection or taken to your commune's disposal site. Many cantons offer one or two free bulky item collections per year for registered residents. Sortavixa shows you how to book a pickup, what items are accepted, and whether any furniture can be redirected to local reuse and second-hand organisations instead.
Worn or unwanted clothing, shoes, and household textiles can be donated via collection containers operated by charitable organisations found throughout Swiss towns. Items that are too worn to donate are still recyclable as industrial rags or fibre insulation and should not be placed in general refuse. Check whether your commune has a dedicated textile collection day, as some municipalities offer kerbside pickup in spring and autumn.
Sortavixa helps Swiss residents sort household waste correctly, follow recycling schedules, and adopt sustainable disposal habits across all cantons.