An enthusiasm for recycling has earned the Swiss the inofficial title, “world recycling champions.” Every household is asked to sort glass bottles according to color and deposit them in bottle banks. Plastic drink bottles are collected in large blue and yellow containers. This kind of plastic, called PET, is easier to recycle than other plastics. The separation and recycling of paper, cardboard, batteries, and kitchen waste is also crucial in Switzerland. In 1991, the Swiss company Kompogas discovered a pioneering method of transforming compost into CO2-neutral gas, petrol and electricity. Therefore, all organic waste should be brought to Kompogas containers. The organic waste is then transformed into compost and biogas, which can be converted to electricity and natural gas.

Another Swiss sustainability invention is “myclimate“ which has been in operation since 2005. “Myclimate” is a foundation of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich). It offers companies and private persons the opportunity to compensate for their CO2 emissions by investing in ecological projects. Sunstar Holding AG is a hotel chain which has recently made the Swiss headlines because it makes use of “myclimate" to compensate for all of its CO2 emissions. Furthermore, Sunstar hotels serve only local produce, as well as human and eco-friendly food brands, such as Max Havelaar.

Local produce can also be purchased at one of the many farmers’ markets held regularly in almost every Swiss village and town. At these markets, farmers offer meat, bread, eggs, fruit, flowers, ice cream and more. Buyers can have a clear conscience for many reasons; Swiss farmers are subject to strict animal husbandry rules for the benefit of their animals. Additionally, the products for sale are transported over short distances. This means that the CO2 emissions are quite low compared with products which are shipped halfway across the globe. Last but not least, local produce is much fresher and therefore healthier than that obtained from supermarkets.

Freitag is a Swiss company which has even managed to give sustainability a trendy face. The Zurich-based company fabricates shoulder bags made of truck tarps and belts. Thanks to the bags' robustness and individual flavor, (all bags are one-of-a-kind), the company has attained international cult status.

Despite the popularity of truck tarps in Switzerland, a study published in 2005 estimated that every Swiss person takes the train 42 times a year - more than in any other country in Europe. This is thanks to the efficient and well-developed public transportation system which is seldom affected by serious delays. Even small villages are provided with regular public transit service. So regardless of whether the Swiss soccer team wins the European Championship title this June, the Swiss are already the European champions in using public transport.