The taxed rubbish bag, and why your neighbours notice

Swiss recycling is a moral system. Learn it early.

In most cantons, general household rubbish has to go in an official taxed bag (Züri-Sack, taxe au sac). A 35-litre bag costs around CHF 2. Anything else and your rubbish will be opened, traced back to you, and fined.

Everything recyclable is free: paper, cardboard, PET bottles, aluminium, glass (three colours), batteries, electronics. Bring them to the neighbourhood collection point or the supermarket.

Compost bins (Bioabfall) exist in most buildings. Ask your caretaker (Hauswart / concierge) where. Glass and noisy recycling only during weekday daytime hours. Sunday silence is real.

Bins go out the night before collection, recycling only on the printed days. The year's schedule exists on paper somewhere in your building.