Disposal Fee

Why separating waste saves money

Fees differ sharply by fraction. Unsorted mixed waste is the most expensive because it goes to incineration as general waste (“Kehricht”). Sorted fractions are cheaper, and some even generate proceeds: scrap metal and non-ferrous metal are bought, waste paper and cardboard are roughly cost-neutral depending on the market, and waste wood is cheap.

That is why we separate on site while clearing. A cubic metre of sorted material often costs only half as much to dispose of as a cubic metre of mixed waste. Providers who throw everything unsorted into a skip are either calculating with higher costs or not disposing of it properly.

The advance recycling fee

For electrical appliances and lamps, disposal in Switzerland has already been paid for at the time of purchase — through the advance recycling fee (“vorgezogene Recyclinggebühr”, VRG) or the advance disposal fee (“vorgezogene Entsorgungsgebühr”, VEG), a levy built into the retail price. These devices can therefore be handed in free of charge at any retailer selling that category and at municipal collection points.

For you that means: no provider may charge you a disposal fee for the appliance itself. What they may legitimately charge is the effort for transport and handling — not a “disposal fee” for the device.

Hazardous waste costs extra

Paints, varnishes, solvents, waste oil, chemicals, batteries and fluorescent tubes count as hazardous waste (“Sonderabfall”). They must go to approved collection points and are charged by quantity and hazard class. Small household quantities are often taken back free of charge by retailers and municipal collection points; larger quantities from workshops or businesses cost noticeably more.