Not Only Safe, but Also Clean: Major Event on the Stoos

Considerate driving, adjusting speed and driving style, keeping a sufficient distance when overtaking - there are rules not only for skiing but also for dealing with waste. On March 7 and 8, 2026, the IGSU ambassador teams ensured that these rules were followed at the Grand Prix Migros and Migros Ski Day on the Stoos. They were engaged by the Innerschwyz Waste Association ZKRI, and Stoosbahnen AG also supported the effort. 'Such events bring people into nature and give them the opportunity to indulge their passion and exchange ideas with like-minded people,' says Lars Truttmann from ZKRI. 'However, the proper disposal of waste is often forgotten,' he notes. The IGSU ambassador teams toured the village of Stoos with their recycling vehicle and were present at the mountain station of the Schwyz-Stoos funicular with interactive games where participants could test their waste knowledge with throwing games and waste memory.

Large reach - The IGSU ambassador teams raise awareness of the littering problem every year for up to 196,000 people by talking to passersby in parks, shopping streets, schools, markets, and events about littering and recycling. 'The effect of awareness is multiplied when these people pass on their knowledge and attitudes about littering and recycling to others,' says Nora Steimer, managing director of the Swiss Littering Competence Center IGSU. However, almost more important than quantity is quality for IGSU. With charm, humour, and unique actions, the IGSU ambassador teams meet people at eye level and thus remain memorable. 'The ambassador teams attract a lot of interest, can engage passersby in interesting conversations for four to five minutes, and are often recognized,' says Nora Steimer.

Many approaches, one goal - Besides their recycling vehicles, the IGSU ambassador teams have actions such as 'Littering Crime Scene' or 'StreetUnArt' in their repertoire. They reach both children and adults, motivating them through direct communication to dispose of their waste correctly.

In addition to the IGSU ambassador teams, IGSU offers many other awareness-raising measures: They organize the annual national IGSU Clean-Up Day, which takes place this year on September 18 and 19, 2026. The action day is supported by the Federal Office for the Environment BAFU, the Swiss Association for Municipal Infrastructure SVKI, and the Pusch Foundation. Furthermore, IGSU assists cities, municipalities, and schools with implementing space sponsorships or age-appropriate school workshops on littering, recycling, and environmental protection. IGSU is also active in research: Currently, they are investigating the effectiveness of various measures against littering with the University of Applied Psychology FHNW in multi-year 'Swiss Littering Study' field experiments.

The IGSU ambassador teams will draw attention across all regions in 2026 with their actions: IGSU Tour 2026.

IGSU - Swiss Littering Competence Center - IGSU is the Swiss Littering Competence Center and has been committed nationally to a clean environment with preventive awareness-raising measures since 2007. One of the most well-known measures is the national IGSU Clean-Up Day, which takes place this year on September 18 and 19, 2026. The IGSU is supported by the IGORA Cooperative for Aluminium Recycling, PET Recycling Switzerland, VetroSwiss, McDonald’s Switzerland, Migros, Coop, Valora, Feldschlösschen, Coca-Cola Switzerland, and the International Chewing Gum Association. These organizations also engage in their own activities against littering, such as providing additional waste bins, conducting regular clean-ups around their stores, or organizing clean-up actions with the community.

Editor's note: Image rights belong to the respective publisher. Image rights: IG saubere Umwelt IGSU