A law has been in force in the canton of Jura since the beginning of the year that obliges larger retailers to sell so-called “superfluous”
Take back packaging material and collect it separately. Other cantons are discussing following the example.
The Swiss Packaging Institute
calls for such isolated solutions to be avoided and for a nationwide solution
to strive for.

At the end of last year, the canton of Jura pushed ahead: since January 1, 2022, all shops in the canton with a sales area of 200 square meters or more have been obliged to take back “superfluous” packaging material and collect it separately. Goal of the Jurassic
The law is to increase the pressure on the packaging industry and the retail trade
increase in order to dispense with so-called “unnecessary” packaging. Simultaneously
the customers could save money because the chargeable
Fill garbage bags at home less with plastic, said Christophe Badertscher from the Jurassic Office for the Environment in a report by SRF. This means that the topic of packaging has once again become a favorite enemy from the outset
Swiss “environmental politician” reduced: the plastic. That packaging is a complex system in which plastics play an important role, but not by a long shot
are exclusive part, is once more hidden. From the point of view of the SVI
the entire law in the canton of Jura and corresponding plans in other cantons
unthought-out and senseless eco-activism.

For example, the law reduces in
Jura packaging only on their protective function. The canton apparently has packaging for this
determined in the context of a superficial screening process and some
Types of packaging classified as «unnecessary». This includes that in eco-circles
meanwhile a classic example of those welded in a plastic shrink film
gherkin as well as multipacks also welded in plastic shrink film
where, for example, three bottles of shower gel were reduced in one campaign
Price are offered or ready meals, which are additionally in a cardboard sleeve
be plugged in. The environmental office of the canton of Jura does not like all of this. That
Packaging can do more and in some cases must do more by law than “just”
The Jura authorities do not understand how to protect the contents. packagings
ensure hygiene (as with the cucumbers), enable smooth and
fast logistics at all levels and also offer the retail trade protection against theft.
And for most products, packaging is imperative because it
legally prescribed product information such as ingredients, origin and
Provide minimum shelf life.

Just the example of in a plastic shrink wrap
shrink-wrapped cucumber shows the shortened view in the canton of Jura. Fewer
Packaging can mean significantly more food waste, especially when it comes to fruit and vegetables.
According to a study by Wiener Denkstatt GmbH, an unpackaged
Cucumber an average drop of 9.4 percent, mainly because the
Cucumber spoils much faster unpackaged and the consumers actually
Cut away the edible peel for hygienic reasons. With one in the thinnest
When the cucumber is welded into polyethylene film, the waste is only 4.6 percent.
The “extra effort” for the packaging in plastic shrink film is worth it
Certainly cucumbers, since more than 80 percent of the CO2 balance of cucumbers is due to the
There is no production and the small amount of packaging is only a minor factor
role in an overall ecological balance. The validated
The Denkstatt study has been part of countless specialist events since it was published in April 2015
(among others at the SVI) and is also presented by
“Packaging critics” generally recognized. It shines as far as the canton of Jura
however not to have penetrated.

In general, the environmental agencies would
cantons a holistic view of the entire value chain
recommend products. The superficial look at the shelves in the stores and the
packaging emptied of contents, only generate a quick
ill-considered classification of so-called “superfluous” packaging. Since the
Consumers – despite all education – still have little idea of the holistic
performance of packaging and their appreciation of packaging
reduce the garbage problem, like left-green populist snap shots
Cantons may go down well here and there, but the environment and the economy
they are of no use. At the BAG in Bern, the subject of packaging is dealt with
more careful now.

From the point of view of the SVI it is too
State-politically absolutely nonsensical to want to regulate packaging at the canton
Economy generally functions nationally and internationally. The problems caused by
undoubtedly too high food waste and the associated packaging volume
arise are practically the same throughout Switzerland. To that extent
the SVI advocates a nationwide solution in close cooperation with
Recycling and disposal companies and all stakeholders of the
supply chain. The SVI and Swiss Recycling offer as part of the entire circular economy agenda
their expertise to all interested parties, including the cantonal environmental agencies. So far
previously known, was also in the canton of Valais as a result of the Jura regulations
a corresponding postulate accepted in the Great Council. Also in Aargau and in
Corresponding discussions are taking place at parliamentary level in Central Switzerland
level, even if no corresponding laws have yet been passed there.

In addition, it is very delicate, so fuzzy
Defining terms such as “unnecessary” in a law. What, for example, would be unnecessary
Car trips or unnecessarily long holiday flights. Also a general one
Take-back obligation in the retail trade is a very one-sided «solution», since there are different
Disposal needs of the population ignored and coercive measures
puts. Moreover, the entire high efforts of the
Packaging industry ignores the current high pressure packaging
recyclable and lighter. Much is now in motion
come better. Certain packaging quite haphazardly with pseudo-scientific
Classifying arguments as “unnecessary” simply makes no sense