A country full of mountains – and full of plastic

Switzerland is considered a clean country. But behind the idyllic facade lies a massive problem: plastic. The new OceanCare report, "Plastic Matters," reveals in a comprehensive analysis of the facts just how serious the situation is – and why recycling is not a sufficient solution. Despite high environmental standards, Switzerland is among the world's largest consumers of plastic per capitaand relies heavily on incineration instead of a circular economy. OceanCare +2 OceanCare +2

Plastic consumption in Switzerland: Top European figures

127 kilos of plastic per person – every year

With 127 kg of plastic consumption per capita,Switzerland is among the global leaders. OceanCare +3 OceanCare +3 OceanCare +3
Around 95 kg of this becomes plastic waste, which is mostly used for only a short time – packaging, disposable products, or cigarette butts. Swiss Radio and Television (SRF) +1

85-90% are incinerated, not recycled.

The myth of a functioning recycling system goes like this:

• Most of the plastic ends up in waste incineration plants. OceanCare +1

• Only a very small portion is actually recycled.

• Even in PET recycling, the average recycled content is only 17%. OceanCare +1

Littering costs Switzerland around 200 million francs annually.

Lawns, parks, streets, and waterways require expensive cleaning. Particularly problematic: 1 million discarded cigarette butts in just two weeks, collected by school classes in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. OceanCare +1

Why recycling isn't enough

1. Plastic loses quality during the recycling process

Each reprocessing step leads to a loss of quality and requires new raw materials. OceanCare +1

2. Too many types of plastic – hardly recyclable

Additives, dyes, and other materials make single-stream recycling difficult. OceanCare

3. The biggest polluters are not recyclable.

Tire abrasion, microfibers from textiles, and microplastic particles cannot be recycled at all. Switzerland, with its linear system (use → incineration), can hardly compete with the circular economy. OceanCare +1

Conclusion:Switzerland cannot recycle its way out of the plastic problem. OceanCare

Tons of microplastics – Switzerland's invisible oil spill

Every year, 14,000 tons of macro- and microplasticsenter the environment. OceanCare +1
Including:

• 8,900 tons of tire abrasion OceanCare +1

• 2,700 tons of plastic waste OceanCare

• 100 tons of macroplasticsin Swiss waters per year OceanCare +1

• 4,400 tons in the ground OceanCare

• 55 tons of microplastics per yearin Lake Geneva alone; a total estimated 580 tons have accumulated in the lake. OceanCare

• Also found in floodplains of nature reserves (≈ 53 tons of microplastics) and in the snow of the Alps. OceanCare +1

Plastic in food – a health risk

Microplastic particles have been foundin Swiss food products such as apples, carrots, salt, and beer. These plastics contain up to 12,000 chemical substances, including:

• Hormone-active plasticizers (phthalates)

• brominated flame retardants

• toxic additives

According to scientific findings, these substances can:

• influence the hormonal system

• Obesity Promotion

• Thyroid disorders promote

• Infertility and diabetes promote

(Specific figures are taken from the OceanCare report and supplementary literature.) OceanCare +1

Political action is needed: laws must be applied instead of waiting.

Switzerland doesn't need new laws – it needs to finally use the existing ones. OceanCare demands:

1. Ban single-use plastics immediately

According to the Environmental Protection Act, Article 30a– e.g., single-use plastic items such as takeaway containers or plastic bags. OceanCare +1

2. Ban microbeads in cosmetics

In accordance with the Environmental Protection Act, Article 26– Microbeads in personal care and cosmetic products. OceanCare

3. Limit plastic production and use

Through the Chemicals Act, Waste Ordinance, and Beverage Packaging Ordinance. OceanCare

4. Promote reuse instead of incineration

A power comeback of the previously functioning reusable system is necessary.

5. Regulate microplastic sources

Tire abrasion, textile fibers, cigarette butts, bioplastics, and liquid polymers – clear action is needed. trashhero.org

Problem:
The Federal Council is delaying implementation – despite over 70 political initiativesdemanding clear steps. OceanCare +1

Switzerland as part of the solution – or part of the problem?

Although Switzerland is participating internationally in the "High Ambition Coalition"for a global plastics agreement, it is lagging behind nationally. For OceanCare CEO Fabienne McLellan, the situation is clear:

"Switzerland must face up to its responsibility regarding plastic waste internationally – and also within its own borders." OceanCare

Conclusion: Now is the time to act.

Plastic pollution is not just a global problem – it starts right on our doorstep. Recycling isn't enough. Voluntary measures aren't enough. Symbolic politics aren't enough.
We urgently need binding legal measures that are consistently implemented – to protect our environment, our health and our planet.

Sources & further reading

• OceanCare (2022): Plastic Matters – Inventory, Facts, Legislation & Recommendations for Action for Switzerland (Summary) – December 2022. OceanCare +1

• OceanCare: Fact sheet “Plastic and Switzerland” – “Swiss people consume around 127 kilos of plastic per person per year.” OceanCare

• SRF News: "High plastic consumption – NGO: Switzerland has a massive plastic problem." Swiss Radio and Television (SRF)

• OceanCare: Press release “Switzerland must live up to its responsibility in dealing with plastic waste…” (January 9, 2023). OceanCare

• Further background sources on microplastics and plastics recycling (see e.g. Eawag, WHO/FAO etc.)