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Switzerland is one of the world leaders in the field of CE, showing very high indexes of waste recycling, use of resources in a friendly to environment way, and implementation of newest technologies [37]. This is a small but highly developed country that actively applies the comprehensive approach based on strict legislation, state support, and ecological consciousness of the population. The EPI reached 100 in 2024 for the waste recycling rate, which means that Switzerland’s waste management system is truly effective and corresponds to the highest international standards.

Switzerland started creating the very foundation of its CE back in the 1980s when the first laws aimed at waste minimization and recycling were introduced. A key step was the adoption of the 1983 Environmental Protection Act, which set strict standards for the handling of household, industrial, and hazardous waste. In 2001, the Waste Disposal Act came into effect, effectively banning the burial of unsorted waste. All waste must be either recycled or sent for energy recovery. These legislative measures, based on modern technologies, presupposed the recycling of domestic waste and the reprocessing of the rest by heat, which practically excluded the use of landfills.

Switzerland possesses probably the most effective system of separating garbage in the world. In the country, citizens are obliged to sort garbage, separating paper, glass, plastic, metals, and organic waste, which are then sent to recycling [38]. The glass recycling rate reaches 95%, the plastic packaging is recycled at a rate of 82%, and the recycling rate for aluminum and steel is over 90%. Organic waste makes up a large part of recyclable waste, and half of it is utilized in the production of biogas and compost, which diminishes greenhouse gas emissions and encourages local agriculture.

The high rate of success in Switzerland is also based on active public involvement. Education in Switzerland starts at the elementary school level, where principles of waste separation and sustainable consumption are taught to children. The active adult population supports all environmental initiatives, taking an active part in recycling programs and choosing products in an environmentally friendly way. Such a culture contributes not only to a high rate of recycling but also to the development of the market of recycled materials.

Real estate in Switzerland plays a significant role in the country’s sustainable economy, with environmental aspects becoming an integral part of property management. Sustainability principles are being actively implemented throughout all stages of a building’s life cycle, from design and construction to operation and renovation. Zurich Invest, one of the leading players in the real estate market, underlines the importance of eco-friendly solutions with a focus on energy efficiency, reduction of CO₂ emissions, and minimization of resource consumption.

One of the main strategies is building and managing buildings that meet the Minergie standards and other environmental certifications. These would reduce the energy consumption of buildings through modern insulation technologies, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, and integration of RE sources such as solar panels. More than one-third of the global demand for energy and about 40% of the CO₂ emissions can be traced to buildings. In Switzerland, buildings produce 26% of greenhouse gas emissions. According to Zurich Invest, 95% of their portfolio in real estate has already been certified according to ecological standards or is under consideration for it; this again attests to the commitment towards sustainable development.

Moreover, special attention is drawn to the renovation of old buildings by substantially enhancing energy efficiency. New projects involve eco-friendly materials to reduce not only carbon footprint but also to maintain a healthy living environment.

Green areas also need to be integrated into the development. Green roofs, urban gardens, and rainwater collection systems not only clean the air but also ease the burden on city infrastructure, adding to climate change adaptation. These measures contribute to the CE by supporting a closed-loop system of resource use.

Zurich Invest’s global goal is to achieve climate-neutral real estate construction by 2050 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030 (fig.10).

Figure 10. Zurich invest’s strategy for reducing carbon footprint [39]

Thus, Switzerland demonstrates how real estate can become a driver of sustainable development by minimizing environmental impact and improving quality of life. Examples such as Zurich Invest show that environmental approaches in property management not only contribute to environmental protection but also represent economically advantageous solutions, creating value for both owners and society as a whole.

Switzerland is one of the leading countries in the CE, and such success may be attributed to several important factors. First, the achievements of Switzerland are driven by its very developed recycling infrastructure. That country invests heavily in cutting-edge technologies and infrastructure projects for the purpose of reusing materials after recycling them as effectively as possible. The scope of waste recycling in Switzerland is rather broad, as it covers construction debris and even components of old electronic equipment. This full-cycle approach reduces reliance on imported raw materials and reinforces the local economy.

The success of a CE in Switzerland finds its foundation in a profound tradition of public awareness and environmental responsibility: the Swiss are very aware of and involved in all aspects of waste sorting and recycling, which significantly increases their recycling rate and reduces their landfills. This perspective on sustainable consumption cuts through every stratum of society, from young schoolchildren to adults, and this guarantees the good implementation of every governmental environmental policy.

Besides, Switzerland has an extensive government support system through financial and tax incentives that encourage corporate activity for sustainability. Government-subsidized programs for encouraging innovation in the environmental field are given significant support so that companies can adopt advanced technologies and methods of material recycling. Such subsidies include companies that specialize in plastic recycling or firms that invest in ecological construction technologies.

The interplay of effective recycling infrastructure, a highly environmentally conscious populace, government support, and business enterprise thus turns Switzerland into a global example of how to transition towards a CE.