Littering in Switzerland Decreases but Causes Increasing Discontent

Littering has negative effects on people, the environment, and the economy: Litter reduces the quality of life and the sense of security among the population and tarnishes a location's image. It not only pollutes soil, plants, and water bodies, but also incurs high costs: In Switzerland, approximately 200 million francs are spent each year cleaning up litter. The good news is that littering in Switzerland has been continuously decreasing for ten years. This is demonstrated by the results of the annual survey by the Swiss Anti-Littering Competence Centre IGSU. The survey has been conducted since 2015 and has documented a continuous slight improvement from the start. "From 2015 to 2019, there was a slight relaxation of the littering situation in Switzerland each year. In 2020, we couldn't conduct a survey due to COVID-19. After a stagnation of the littering situation in 2021, the trend towards improvement has continued since 2022," concludes IGSU director Nora Steimer on the last decade.

Survey respondents are more bothered by littering

In 2025, the IGSU ambassador teams surveyed 2,776 people about the littering situation in 31 cities and towns across Switzerland. This year, 7.4 percent of respondents felt that "quite a bit" or "a lot" of littering was happening at the survey location, whereas it was 8.3 percent in 2024. Looking at littering across Switzerland, the situation has significantly improved over many years: While 25 percent of respondents in 2015 believed that "quite a bit" or "a lot" of littering was happening in Switzerland, the number has halved to 12.5 percent within ten years.

Since 2023, the question of how bothered respondents are by littering has been expanded to two more specific inquiries: Respondents must firstly indicate how bothered they feel by littering throughout Switzerland, and secondly, how disturbing they find the littering at the survey location. While in 2024, 20 percent felt bothered by littering on-site, 25 percent now feel "quite a lot" or "a lot" bothered by it. Particularly in German-speaking Switzerland, the increase from 2024 (M = 2.5) to 2025 (M = 3.0) is notable, even though the estimated extent of on- site littering in German-speaking Switzerland has slightly decreased (M2024 = 2.0, M2025 = 1.9). In terms of all of Switzerland, slightly more respondents in 2025 were again bothered by littering than the previous year: In 2024, 65 percent were "quite a lot" or "a lot" bothered by littering in Switzerland, which rose to nearly 68 percent in 2025.

The age effect becomes apparent

Environmental psychologist Ralph Hansmann from ETH Zurich suggests that despite constant levels of local littering, the greater annoyance might be due to increased expectations from one's fellow citizens and cleaning services. The higher standard of cleanliness may be a result of various public awareness activities against littering. Noticeable are also the varying perceptions among different generations: People over 50 years old perceive the littering situation to be worse compared to the previous year, while those under 30 perceive an improvement. Older generations not only perceive more littering, but are also more likely to be bothered by it. "Even though littering is steadily slightly decreasing or stagnating, we are far from reaching our goal," emphasizes Nora Steimer. "As long as waste continues to end up in nature, we must keep implementing measures to raise public awareness about the consequences of littering and motivate behavioral changes." Therefore, IGSU has also been involved in scientific research for many years, including a large Swiss littering study that investigates which measures are effective against littering in certain situations. In the summer of 2025, the first field experiments were conducted: Together with scientists from the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, IGSU studied the impact of various anti-littering measures in "picnic and leisure zones" in nine Swiss cities. The results will be published at the beginning of 2026. Next year, field experiments will be conducted in "catering zones around takeaways," with experiments in "roadside areas" planned for 2027.

Creative installations and animal support

Not only is the IGSU continuously developing new measures against littering, but Swiss cities and municipalities are also often trying new paths and employing unconventional means: The association of Zug municipalities for waste management Zeba, according to Clea Winter from the Anti-Littering specialist unit, for instance, relies on creative installations alongside stickers and posters: Over-sized cigarette butts, a butt-bathtub, voting ashtrays, or cheeky dog poop flags attract attention. Chur also proves to be innovative: From 2026, the city will receive support from the so-called "Dreckspatz" or "dirty sparrow": "The comic bird in the depot attire humorously and clearly enters the debate on waste disposal issues and shows that enlightenment works with charm, color, and a wink," reveals Dario Krättli, head of the Chur city operations depot. The city of Zurich is also open to unconventional approaches: "Regular actions and campaigns always provide new impulses - for example, this year a trial with disposable ashtrays," explains Michael Ultsch, head of city cleaning in Zurich. The test facility, agreed upon at a round table with the federal government, the tobacco industry, retailers, environmental associations, cantons, and municipalities, was conducted, among other places, in Zurich to counteract cigarette butt littering.

It requires stamina

The city of Renens is combating littering, for instance, by using reusable dishware: "At the Festimixx 2025 festival, where 15,000 visitors attended over one weekend, food stands and bars exclusively used reusable dishes," rejoices Frédéric Schweingruber from the Sustainable Development Department in Renens. And in Basel-Stadt, a new package of measures against littering has been in effect since this year, aiming to prevent littering through targeted awareness-raising, consistent legal enforcement, and optimized disposal infrastructure, as reported by Timo Weber, head of the Department of Waste and Resources in Basel-Stadt. Clea Winter from Zeba also knows that dealing with waste requires persistence: "Although general littering is stagnant thanks to numerous measures, small waste like cigarette butts, snus pouches, or vapes is still found in irresponsible quantities." Hence, the Swiss Anti-Littering Competence Centre IGSU continues to support towns and cities with proven and new measures and scientific insights.

Quotes

Clea Winter, Anti-Littering Specialist Unit, Association of Zug Municipalities for Waste Management Zeba

"With our campaign ‹For a Clean Canton Zug›, we are making a statement against littering: with stickers and posters – and creative installations like oversized cigarette butts, butt-bathtubs, voting ashtrays, or cheeky dog poop flags. We talk to the next generation in schools. During actions with companies, clubs, asylum seekers, and the public – such as the 'Lorze-Putzete' – we show that every contribution against littering counts! Although general littering stagnates thanks to many measures, small waste like cigarette butts, snus pouches, or vapes is still found in unacceptable quantities. Let's stay at it together: for a clean Canton Zug, for a clean Switzerland, for a clean world."

Frédéric Schweingruber, Sustainable Development, City of Renens

"The city of Renens encourages event organizers to use reusable dishes. At the Festimixx 2025 festival with 15,000 visitors over a weekend, food stands and bars exclusively provided reusable dishes. Students and IGSU ambassador teams also engage against littering in Renens. For several years, Renens has also supported a monthly waste collection initiative started by two residents that involves several volunteers."

Michael Ultsch, Head of City Cleaning, City of Zurich

"The city of Zurich actively addresses the issue of littering: the waste disposal infrastructure and cleaning intervals are continuously adapted to meet needs. Regular actions and campaigns constantly provide new impulses – for example, this year a trial with disposable ashtrays. Overall, the cleanliness level in Zurich remains consistently high. The population actively reports undetected pollution, and city cleaning responds quickly and reliably. So, together, the population and city administration ensure a clean, livable Zurich."

Timo Weber, Head of Waste and Resources Department, Canton of Basel-Stadt

"With the new package of anti-littering measures approved by the government in the spring, the canton of Basel-Stadt is making a clear statement for more cleanliness and quality of life in public spaces. By targeted awareness-raising, strict enforcement, and optimized waste disposal infrastructure, awareness among the population should be strengthened, and littering sustainably reduced – for a clean, attractive, and livable city for all."

Dario Krättli, Head of City Operations Depot, City of Chur

"Littering remains a constant topic in Chur – with poster campaigns in schoolyards, notices on waste disposal vehicles, clean-up days, and space sponsorships, the city has been setting clear signals against public space waste for years. Starting in 2026, the depot will receive charming support from the cheeky 'Dreckspatz': The comic bird in depot wear humorously and clearly involves himself in waste disposal issues and shows that education can work with charm, color, and a wink – with a raised feather but without a raised finger."

Media Contact
Nora Steimer
IGSU Director
043 500 19 91
076 406 13 86
medien@igsu.ch

IGSU
Grubenstrasse 29
8045 Zürich
Tel 043 500 19 99
info@igsu.ch
www.igsu.ch

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