National Councils make progress on circular economy

The National Council's Environment Committee wants to strengthen the circular economy in Switzerland. To this end, in May it published a parliamentary initiative and has now appointed a sub-commission. The sub-commission is to "examine the various concerns of the initiative in depth and, with the involvement of affected industries, prepare a preliminary draft for the attention of the plenary commission," it says in a Communication of the Environmental Commission.

The initiative of the Environmental Commission provides, among other things, that waste must be recycled as long as this is technically feasible and economically viable. This applies in particular to metals, building materials and phosphorus. The federal government should also be able to oblige manufacturers and retailers to use packaging made from recyclable materials. In addition, it should operate a platform to promote the Swiss circular economy.

The Environment Committee of the Council of States supports the initiative from the National Council committee. However, it must have "innovative and forward-looking framework conditions that are based on the needs of the economy and society," it wrote in an Media release in June. The federal government must also set a good example, he said. "Then the chances are great that the draft will meet with broad support."

Further resolutions of the Environmental Commission of the National Council can be found at here