The responsible committee of the Council of States is in favor of a culture change: politicians want to punish waste offenders throughout Switzerland

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Waste should be avoided as much as possible in Switzerland. Where possible, items that are no longer used or usable should be passed on or recycled. After the National Council, the responsible Council of States committee also wants a cultural change when it comes to waste.

The Committee for the Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy of the Council of States (Urek-S) unanimously approved the proposal “Strengthening the Swiss Circular Economy” in the general vote, as the parliamentary services announced on Friday. The committee largely followed the decisions of the National Council. New Swiss fines for litter will be enshrined in the Environmental Protection Act, among other things.

Differences in waste collection

Unlike the Grand Chamber, the Urek-S wants in principle to maintain the monopoly of the cantons in the field of municipal waste disposal. Voluntary collection by private companies should only be possible if the Federal Council approves this for certain waste fractions, as the Commission unanimously requests.

With this scheme, the Commission wants to ensure that private collections are not stopped if, for example, they are no longer profitable due to fluctuating prices for recyclable materials, and the public sector then has to fill the gap. The committee writes that the planning and financing of sales by the cantons and municipalities should not be made more difficult.

An anti-litter campaign is needed

The Commission further requests that reuse be strengthened as a form of waste recovery. In addition, only as much phosphorus may be recovered from sewage sludge as is necessary to meet domestic needs.

In contrast to the National Council, the Council of States committee continues to speak out against an obligation to unpack unsold biogenic products. From their point of view, this measure provides only a relatively small ecological benefit with high economic costs. As mentioned, the minority would like to adhere to this measure.

Finally, the Urek-S supports a motion by National Councilor Jean-Pierre Grin (SVP/VD), calling for a national awareness and prevention campaign against litter. Both transactions are expected to be discussed by the Council of States in the winter session. (SDA)

Source:Blick