Zero-Waste movement in Switzerland

Small shops with a big impact

Reading Time:    5 Min.
Publication:        October 30, 2025, Jessy Thür

The principle of “zero waste” – living without waste or with as little waste as possible – has become noticeably more important in Switzerland recently. The association Unverpackt Schweiz, which was founded in 2019, sees its task as raising awareness of sustainable shopping options and connecting stores that offer products without single-use packaging.

Why unpackaged?

Our everyday consumption habits generate enormous amounts of waste. According to the Federal Office for the Environment, each person in Switzerland produces around 700 kilograms of household waste per year—one of the highest figures in Europe. Packaging, especially plastic packaging, accounts for a large proportion of this. This is where zero-waste stores come in: they offer food, hygiene products, and cleaning supplies that customers fill into containers they bring with them.

The association Unverpackt Schweiz describes its goal as follows:
An unpackaged store deliberately avoids disposable and plastic packaging. Instead, the products on offer are sold loose or in reusable containers.

This sounds simple, but in practice it is a challenging undertaking. Many small stores have to juggle sustainability, price awareness, and economic reality.

Pioneers of the zero-waste concept

1. bare Ware, Winterthur
The store bare Ware was founded in 2017 by Iris Huber and Adriana Puente. Their vision: sustainable, organic, and unpackaged products, sourced locally whenever possible.
The store was a member of the Unverpackt Schweiz association and offered food, natural cosmetics, and household items. But after several years in business, “bare Ware” had to reorient itself—partly due to the economic consequences of the pandemic. Many zero-waste stores report that customers have become more price-conscious since the pandemic. This makes it even more difficult to operate profitably.

Despite these hurdles, the vision remained alive: today, the team is focusing more on workshops, educational work, and collaborations with local businesses. This shows how adaptable the “zero waste” concept can be – it doesn't always have to be the classic store.

2. Wayste – Zero waste via delivery service
Another example is the Zurich-based start-up Wayste, founded by Michel Bürki and Daniel Kunz. It delivers food, hygiene, and household products unpackaged directly to the customer's doorstep. The company relies on a circular reusable system: all containers are collected after use, cleaned, and reused.

The model combines convenience with environmental awareness—an approach that is particularly popular in urban areas such as Zurich and Bern.

The reality: a small movement with great potential

Despite growing attention, many zero-waste stores are struggling to survive. According to an analysis by the association Unverpackt Schweiz, there are currently around 35–40 active stores (as of 2025), down from almost 60 a few years ago.

There are many reasons for this: rising rents, high operating costs, price pressure from supermarkets, and changing consumer behavior. Operators of zero-waste stores emphasize that success today depends heavily on cooperation, community, and flexible business models.

At the same time, a new generation of sustainable companies is emerging that is translating the zero-waste concept into digital or hybrid models. In addition to Wayste, projects such as Fooby Refill (Coop test project) and Refiller are experimenting with refill stations in supermarkets.

Opportunities for the future

So what does it take for zero waste to have a long-term impact in Switzerland?

1. Awareness-raising - Education and communication are crucial. Many people are unaware of how much packaging they produce every day.

2. Cooperation instead of competition – Unpackaged stores can become stronger through regional networks or shared logistics.

3. Political support – Support programs for sustainable small businesses could reduce the pressure.

4. Innovative business models – Online platforms, refill stations, or delivery services bring the concept into the everyday lives of the general population.

Zero waste is not a short-term trend but part of the shift towards a circular economy. It's not just about avoiding waste but respecting resources – from production to consumption.

Zero waste is not a goal—it is a journey

The zero-waste movement in Switzerland stands for courage, creativity, and responsibility. Small shops such as bare Ware and start-ups such as Wayste prove that sustainable consumption can work - albeit with obstacles.

The success of this movement is not measured by how many shops survive, but by how much they change our way of thinking. Every purchase, every refill jar, and every conscious decision is part of a bigger picture.

All information provided without guarantee.

«www.yellowpages.swiss»