The European Union’s statistics office (EurostatExternal link) says the Swiss threw away an average 706 kilogrammes of rubbish per person in 2017 – making the country the third biggest municipal waste producer behind Denmark and Norway.
However, Switzerland also remains the champion in recycling, latest official EU figures show.
The Swiss lead the table with 217 kilogrammes per capita recycled in 2017, ahead of Norway and Denmark with 216 kilogrammes and 213 kilogrammes respectively.
The EU average level of waste generation was 487kg, while the average recycling rate was 81kg.
When it comes to composting, the Swiss come second behind neighbouring Austria but ahead of Denmark.
Swiss health minister criticises Trump’s ‘rash’ WHO exit
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Switzerland has expressed “deep” regret over Trump’s decision to withdraw from the WHO, Swiss Health Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider said in Davos.
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Job vacancies in Switzerland fell by 10% in 2024, marking the first negative annual balance since the Covid-19 pandemic, says Adecco.
Swiss president meets Zelensky in Davos amid tensions with Europe
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Swiss President met Zelensky at Davos. As Zelensky thanked Switzerland, Keller-Sutter said it's too early to discuss a new summit, awaiting Trump's actions.
Basel diocese files five claims of sexual abuse in Swiss Catholic Church
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The diocese of Basel has received 141 reports of sexual abuse since the publication of a sweeping study on violations in the Catholic Church by the University of Zurich in 2023.
Swiss president calls for open markets and stable institutions in WEF speech
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Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter was among speakers at the WEF in Davos to make the case for fair competition, a day after Donald Trump became the 47th president of the United States.
Swiss film in competition at the 75th Berlinale has a shot at Golden Bear
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The feature film La Cache by Lausanne screenwriter and director Lionel Baier has a chance of winning the Silver or Golden Bear at the 75th Berlinale, festival organisers said on Tuesday.
Swiss politician who shot at image of Jesus resigns from Liberal Green Party
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Sanija Ameti, who caused controversy after shooting at an image of Jesus and Mary last September, has resigned from the Liberal Green Party.
Swiss campaigners gather enough signatures to submit ‘responsible business’ initiative
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The Swiss people are set to vote again on the corporate responsibility of multinationals after campaigners collected 183,661 signatures in 14 days for their new 'responsible business' initiative.
Several Swiss municipalities and banks hit by cyberattack
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Russian hackers attacked the websites of several Swiss municipalities and banks on Tuesday, just as the World Economic Forum (WEF), got under way in Davos.
Music strengthens brain connections in premature babies, Swiss study shows
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In premature babies, music strengthens connections in certain areas of the brain, according to a years-long study by the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG).
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Plastic: How can the Swiss use so much and recycle so little?
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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.
Tonnes of plastic trash enter Lake Geneva every year
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Every year around 50 tonnes of plastic end up in Lake Geneva, located between Switzerland and France, a new study has shown.
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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.