In cooperation with the waste associations of Central Switzerland, retail cooperative Migros (Zurich; www.migros.ch) has been offering to collect plastic packaging at its branches in the cantons of Lucerne, Zug, Schwyz, Uri, Obwalden, and Nidwalden since May 2021 (see Plasteurope.com of 13.05.2021).

The positive conclusion after eight months of the trial run is that consumers have returned around 180 t of plastic waste in the collection bags provided. In December 2021, the peak month so far, the figure was just under 40 t.

The high collection quality is particularly pleasing, explains Migros Lucerne. Hardly any incorrect or heavily soiled material was thrown into the containers, a factor that has a positive effect on the recycling rate. According to initial analyses, this is currently around 50%.

“With this rate, we have achieved our goal for the initial phase and are on track,” said Christine Wiederkehr-Luther, head of sustainability at Migros Group. In the long term, the aim is to achieve a recycling rate of up to 70%. To achieve this, Switzerland’s largest retail group is focusing on improving the recyclability of its own packaging.