Plastic pollution is a growing environmental crisis - and Switzerland is no exception. According to the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), around 14,000 tons of plastic end up in the Swiss environment every year. From hiking trails in the Alps to the shores of our lakes, plastic waste is increasingly visible and has long-term consequences for nature and wildlife.
Plastic in nature: a problem for generations
Once in the environment, plastic does not simply disappear. It breaks down into microplastics - tiny particles that spread through soil, rivers and even the air. These particles can harm animals, contaminate water sources and ultimately end up in the human food chain.
In Switzerland, the problem is particularly worrying as plastic pollution is not limited to cities. Even in remote Alpine regions, in the Rhine or in clear mountain lakes, traces of microplastics have already been detected. This shows how persistent and far-reaching the problem is.
The role of packaging waste
A large proportion of plastic pollution comes from single-use packaging - products that are often only used for minutes or days and then disposed of. Despite well-developed recycling systems in Switzerland, a significant proportion of plastic ends up in the environment through littering, incorrect disposal or slow decomposition.
How plastic-free packaging can help
One effective way to reduce plastic waste is to prevent it from being produced in the first place. Packaging made from paper, recycled materials or other environmentally friendly alternatives prevent additional plastic from entering circulation.
By consciously avoiding plastic packaging alone, over 50,000 unnecessary plastic packages have already been avoided - a clear sign that changes in production and distribution are having a noticeable effect.
A call to action
Reducing the 14,000 tons of plastic pollution in Switzerland every year requires commitment from consumers, companies and politicians. Choosing products with plastic-free packaging is a simple but effective way to make a contribution yourself.
Plastic pollution is not a distant problem - it is here, in Switzerland, and affects us all. Together, we can ensure that future generations can experience mountains, lakes and landscapes without unnecessary plastic waste.
