PETpla.net Insider 10 / 2013

MATERIAL / RECYCLING 30 PET planet insider Vol. 14 No. 10/13 www.petpla.net PET Recycling - Why does it work well in Switzerland? by Wolfgang von Schroeter Discipline plays an important part in evaluating these high rates of recycling and this is basically to be attributed to the Swiss population, as well as the compact nature of Switzerland’s geographic features, the short routes and the compara- bly low quantities of PET that are moved about. Nevertheless, the model character of Swiss recycling is undisputed. It is always worth taking a look at the Swiss situation, at people and methods, logistics and organisation and, last but not least, at their marketing approach which is necessary to establish the concept of recycling in the mind of the con- sumer. In order to find this out we, that is, PETplanet Insider, travelled to Switzerland to find out, why PET recycling in Switzerland works so well. René Herzog, Managing Direc- tor of PET Recycling Swiss, is in no doubt: “The legislator – the Federal Office for the Environment – speci- fies the requirements. We, that is, the bottlers, the dealers, the recy- clers as well as the consumers and PET-Recycling Switzerland (PRS) in their capacity as the organiser and motivator, we have committed ourselves to meet the legal require- ments with a system that sets about establishing an interrelationship between all those involved in the process at a logistical level. We are all accountable at a mutual, joint and voluntary level, when it comes to achieving the target“. Caspar van Dungen, Manag- ing Director of ITW Poly Recycling GmbH, as well as a member of numerous European recycling com- mittees, adds approvingly: “Fairness is a precondition for the operation of the system. The Swiss perception of accountability is of something that is voluntary, fair and sincere“. The recycling (not recovery) quota that has been identified by the Confederate Department for the Environment, Traffic, Energy and Communication (UVEK) is 75%. 75% of PET bottles filled and sold must be recycled for new material usage. Should the recycling quota not be achieved, UVEK has the option of introducing a deposit on PET bever- ages packaging. Within 20 years of being set up, the amount of PET recycled in Switzerland has achieved 81% and thus exceeded the legal quota – a very good result indeed by international standards. Swiss ways of PET collection... ... on the beach ... at the supermarket ... at the museum