In the warm season, waste increasingly ends up on the ground instead of in the bin. However, the first field experiments of the 'Large Swiss Littering Study' have shown that anti-littering measures reduce littering in picnic and leisure areas by about a third. Personal awareness conversations were also tested: conversations with passersby about littering and recycling were able to reduce littering by 27 percent. Such conversations are also conducted by the ambassador teams of the Swiss Competence Centre against Littering, IGSU. On May 15, they were seen with their recycling mobiles in the old town and at the train station of Murten, and on May 16, they drew attention at the lake promenade with their 'Littering Crime Scene' action: an IGSU detective marked littered items, questioned witnesses, and identified the fictional perpetrators with the help of passersby. 'Humour can achieve a lot,' says Stefan Portmann, building manager of the city of Murten. 'Cleanliness starts on a small scale—and sometimes with a smile. That's why we invited the IGSU ambassador teams to Murten again this year.'
Sustainable Awareness The IGSU ambassador teams raise awareness of the littering issue for up to 196,000 people every year. In parks, dining areas, squares, schools, markets, and events, they motivate children, young people, and adults in direct conversations to dispose of their waste correctly. With charm, humour, and creative actions like 'Littering Crime Scene' or 'StreetUnArt', the IGSU ambassador teams engage with their counterparts on equal terms and leave a lasting impression.
In addition to the ambassador teams, the IGSU offers many other awareness-raising measures: it organises the annual national IGSU Clean-Up Day, which takes place this year on September 18 and 19, 2026, supported by the children's book character Globi. It also supports cities, communities, and schools in implementing space stewardship or age-appropriate school workshops on the topics of littering, recycling, and environmental protection.
Research for the Environment In the 'Large Swiss Littering Study', it examines the effectiveness of various measures against littering together with the University of Applied Psychology FHNW.
In summer 2025, 'Picnic and Leisure Areas' was the first of three settings to be examined. More field experiments will be conducted in 2026, this time in 'Dining Zones around Take-Aways'. In 2027, experiments are planned along 'Interurban Roads'.
In 2026, the IGSU ambassador teams will draw attention with actions in all regions: IGSU Tour 2026
Media Contact:
Nora Steimer, IGSU Managing Director, 043 500 19 91, 076 406 13 86, medien@igsu.ch
Stefan Portmann, Building Manager of the City of Murten, 026 672 62 41,
stefan.portmann@murten-morat.ch
IGSU
Grubenstrasse 29
8045 Zurich
Tel 043 500 19 99
info@igsu.ch
www.igsu.ch