Guide to environmentally friendly household waste management to protect the air, water and soil to safeguard natural resources to save energy and... to save a few francs.

Household waste

Household waste - MSW - is to be deposited, in official taxed bags, in the designated containers along the carriageways or in private taxed containers fitted with seals, by 07.00 hours on the collection day.

Paper and cardboard

Paper and cardboard must be deposited in the appropriate bins at the ecocentres in the schools and in Ponte. Paper and cardboard is understood to mean clean newspapers, magazines, office paper and cardboard boxes. Other paper, such as food packaging, handkerchiefs, used napkins, plasticised paper or paper coated with other materials, is not recyclable paper and must be handed in with household waste. Depositing this waste with paper is time-consuming for sorting and results in higher costs. Obviously, plastic bags, polystyrene (Sagex) and other foreign material are not to be deposited with paper.

Glass

Glass is to be deposited, separated by colour as explained below, in the special containers buried at the ecocentres in the Schools and Ponte . Glass is defined as bottles and other containers, empty, without caps or coverings. According to the new regulations, glass will be recovered in two separate colours: white (very valuable) and coloured (green and brown together). Window glass, porcelain or earthenware objects, crockery and light bulbs are not recyclable glass and may be handed in with bulky waste. Depositing these items with the glass means that it cannot be recycled, thus negating separate collection and significantly increasing costs.

Plastic Collection – Sammelsack System

The Municipality of Brissago has adopted the new cantonal waste regulation, aiming to promote a more sustainable and eco-friendly waste management approach. A separate plastic collection system has been introduced using special Sammelsack bags, available at the same retail outlets that sell regular household waste bags.

The municipality has chosen RS Recupero Materiali in Bironico as its partner, which offers the Sammelsack system, certified at the Swiss national level. This system involves no direct cost to the municipalities, as it is fully financed by consumers through the purchase of the bags.

Sammelsack bags come in various sizes – from 17 to 110 litres – matching standard waste bag sizes. Their retail price is slightly higher (just a few cents) but offers several advantages:

• Various types of plastic can be collected, not just PE and PP as required by the cantonal regulation.

• Beverage cartons such as Tetra Pak are also accepted.

• If PET bottles are mistakenly placed in the Sammelsack, they will be recovered and redirected to the appropriate PET recycling stream thanks to the sorting carried out by the company.

Nevertheless, it is recommended to continue disposing of PET bottles in the dedicated containers.

The container for Sammelsack bags is located at the Ecocentre near the School complex.

Other recyclable waste

Aluminium, tin cans, PET, oils, batteries and clothing: to be deposited at the Schools and Ponte ecocentres.

Special waste

To be deposited at the Schools ecocentre, on the 2 collection days scheduled each year and in accordance with the regulations issued from time to time.

Bulky items, scrap metal, timber, tyres, batteries, sanitary appliances and small quantities of inert materials

To be handed in directly at the ecocentre to Poss, during opening days and hours.

Green

Garden waste, grass, foliage and branches are to be composted on site. For those who cannot compost on their own, there is the possibility of delivery to Poss.

Electrical and electronic appliances

Household appliances (washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, power tools) and electronic equipment (PCs, TVs, radios, mobile phones) are to be returned to the retailer. They are also collected free of charge at the ecocentre in Poss, an official S.EN.S and SWICO collection centre.