Kehricht and the Gebührensack: what belongs in residual waste?

Unlike many countries where waste collection is funded through local taxes or a basic charge, Switzerland operates on the ‘polluter pays’ principle: those who produce more waste pay more. This is implemented via the Gebührensack – a municipal-provided waste bag whose price already covers disposal costs. Bag prices vary considerably, typically between CHF 1.50 and CHF 3 for common sizes of 17, 35 and 60 litres.

Sacks are available at most supermarkets – they aren’t on shelves, but must be requested. Important: Each municipality or waste management association has its own bags, and only these will be collected. A bag from a neighbouring municipality or a standard black bin bag will remain on the roadside. In some regions – such as parts of Eastern Switzerland – a sticker is used instead of a bag, with the same principle applying.

The Kehricht is the final destination for everything that cannot be recycled or composted. Typically, this includes:

• Personal hygiene products: nappies, sanitary towels, cotton wool buds, razors and toothbrushes.
• Household waste: vacuum cleaner bags and their contents, cold ashes, cat litter and animal droppings, cigarette ends and chewing gum.
• Dirty packaging and leftovers: heavily soiled films and paper that can no longer be recycled, as well as leftover frozen food if your municipality doesn’t offer kitchen waste collection.
• Damaged items: broken crockery, porcelain, glasses and small defective household items made of plastic.

A simple rule: Before putting anything in the Gebührensack, check briefly to see if it belongs in one of the free or cheaper collection schemes – paper, cardboard, PET bottles, glass, metal or green waste. Every recycled item makes the Kehricht bag lighter and reduces the bill.

Switzerland operates a strict system of sorting, and many cantons have laws prohibiting the disposal of waste materials in the Kehricht. Those who repeatedly incorrectly sort their waste risk having their bag not collected – or a fine if it is found.

• Waste materials: paper, cardboard, PET bottles, glass, aluminium and steel are to be placed in separate collection schemes.
• Green waste: garden and often kitchen waste is composted separately or fermented.
• Electrical appliances: from toasters to televisions, a take-back obligation applies – retailers will take back devices free of charge, even if you haven’t purchased a new one.
• Special waste: paints, varnishes, solvents, chemicals, medicines, oil and batteries belong to the hazardous waste collection or should be returned to the shop.
• Large items: furniture, mattresses and carpets are collected separately or taken to a collection point.

Waste disposal is the responsibility of Switzerland's municipalities and cantons, so there is no single nationwide system. The differences are visible everywhere: the price of a Gebührensack varies considerably between municipalities; some regions use paid stickers instead of sacks, while others use refuse containers opened with a chip card and charge by weight.

Collection dates are also set locally. The city of Zurich may collect Kehricht several times a week, while rural municipalities may use a 14-day cycle. Your own municipality's waste calendar is always the definitive source; it also lists collections for bulky waste, green waste and paper. When you move to another municipality, check its local waste regulations first.

Buy Gebührensäcke in your own municipality, as a sack from the canton where you spent your holiday will not be collected at home. Do not force waste into the sack: collectors may leave an overfilled or torn sack, and most regulations set a maximum weight, often 10 to 20 kilograms. Put the sack out only on the evening before or the morning of collection. Sacks left too early attract foxes, crows and martens and are treated as an offence in some municipalities.

If you have room, separate PET, cardboard and Kehricht at a small station in the kitchen to prevent sorting mistakes. BinMinder can send you a free reminder the evening before, so you never miss your municipality's collection day.