No, open burning in Switzerland is largely prohibited under the Environmental Protection Act (USG) and Air Pollution Control Ordinance (LRV), with exceptions for agricultural and forestry waste under strict cantonal permits. The 2026 revisions to the LRV tighten particulate matter (PM10/PM2.5) thresholds, further limiting exemptions. Violations risk fines up to CHF 100,000 under cantonal enforcement.
Key Regulations for Open Burning in Switzerland
- Cantonal Authorization Required: Permits are mandatory for burning agricultural residues (e.g., straw, prunings) or forestry waste, issued by cantonal environmental agencies like BAFU (Federal Office for the Environment) or local Umweltämter. Urban cantons (e.g., Geneva, Zurich) impose stricter bans.
- Seasonal and Weather Restrictions: Burning is banned during high-risk periods (e.g., summer droughts) or when wind dispersion fails to meet LRV air quality standards. Real-time alerts are issued via MeteoSwiss and cantonal platforms.
- Prohibited Materials: Household waste, plastics, treated wood, and synthetic materials are explicitly forbidden under LRV Art. 13. Only untreated, natural biomass (e.g., dry leaves) may qualify for limited exemptions in rural areas.
Non-compliance triggers penalties under USG Art. 60, with enforcement delegated to cantonal police or environmental inspectors. The 2026 LRV amendments align Swiss regulations with EU ambient air quality directives, reducing permissible emission limits by 15% for PM2.5.