During the warm season, waste increasingly ends up on the ground instead of in bins. However, the initial field experiments of the "Great Swiss Littering Study" have shown: anti-littering measures reduce littering in picnic and leisure zones by about a third. Personal awareness conversations were also tested: Conversations with passers-by about littering and recycling were able to reduce littering by 27 percent. The IGSU ambassador teams also conduct such conversations. On July 2nd, they attracted attention with a commitment action on Pilatusstrasse in Lucerne: With their relaxed manner, they invited passers-by to commit to anti-littering on a white poster with slogans, drawings, or signatures. "Lucerne is among the highlights for many tourists," says IGSU team leader Cédric Québatte. "The people of Lucerne are proud of their city and find it important to take care of it. This is also evident in the contributions on the poster." Since 2013, commitment actions have been carried out by IGSU in cities like Basel, Bern, Lucerne, and Lugano. The action is also supported by JTI (Japan Tobacco International) on the economic side.
Interactive action encourages participation
On July 3rd, the IGSU ambassador teams captured attention with another action: At Schwanenplatz, Inseliquai, and Uffschötti, they encouraged the public to participate in the "Littering Crime Scene" action. An IGSU detective marks littered items with evidence numbers and questions witnesses and suspects. Passersby can support him in his investigations. "The IGSU ambassador teams arouse the curiosity of the public, encourage them to participate, and educate them playfully about littering and recycling," says Matthias Bättig from the Streets Inspectorate of the City of Lucerne. "This is how anti-littering action works best."
Sustainable awareness
The IGSU ambassador teams raise awareness among up to 196,000 people each year about the problem of littering. In parks, food zones, squares, at schools, markets, and events, they motivate children, young people, and adults in direct conversation to dispose of their waste correctly. With charm, humor, and creative actions like "Littering Crime Scene" or "StreetUnArt," the IGSU ambassador teams meet people at eye level and remain sustainably memorable to them.
In addition to the ambassador teams, IGSU offers many other awareness- raising measures: It organizes the annual national IGSU Clean-Up Day, which this year takes place on September 18th and 19th, 2026, supported by the children's book character Globi. Furthermore, it supports cities, communities, and schools in implementing space sponsorships or with age-appropriate school workshops on the topics of littering, recycling and environmental protection.
Research for the environment
In the "Great Swiss Littering Study," IGSU, together with the University of Applied Psychology FHNW, examines the effectiveness of various measures against littering. In the summer of 2025, the first of three settings, "Picnic and Leisure Zones," was scrutinized. Further field experiments will be conducted in 2026, this time in "Catering Zones around Take-Aways." In 2027, experiments are planned along "Interurban Roads."
The IGSU ambassador teams will attract attention with actions in all parts of the country in 2026: IGSU Tour 2026
Media contact
Nora Steimer, IGSU Director, 043 500 19 91, 076 406 13 86, medien@igsu.ch
Matthias Bättig, Head of Development and Communications, Streets Inspectorate of the City of
Lucerne, 041 208 83 84
Do you need a quote for a report on littering or have a question on the topic? The IGSU experts are happy to assist.
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