The direct disposal of combustible waste in landfills was banned by law in January 2000. Municipal waste must now be incinerated, and landfills in Switzerland are to be used solely for the disposal of non-burnable waste. Switzerland has had sufficient incinerator capacity to implement this since 2004.

The risk of contaminating the ground water supply was a significant factor in the decision to switch over to incineration. Landfills require very careful monitoring and in the case of problems cannot simply be switched off as an incinerator can.

There are three different types of landfill in Switzerland.

Landfill for inert materials

For materials such as construction waste - concrete, tiles, glass - which have a low toxic content and do not emit harmful substances to the environment. This type of landfill requires the least amount of monitoring.

Landfill for stabilised residues

Used for the kind of waste left over after incineration. These wastes contain heavy metals (which are harmful) but do not emit gases or water-soluble toxins. This type of landfill requires slightly more monitoring than the landfill for inert materials.

Bioactive landfills

For wastes which could contaminate the environment by emitting gases or by seeping into the groundwater. This type of waste is carefully monitored and treated.