Gebührensack (Züri-Sack)
Taxed Trash Bag
Simple Definition
Official, highly-priced garbage bags required for general waste disposal. The price of the bag (e.g. CHF 2.00 for 35L) covers the trash tax.
Why this matters to Expats.
Do NOT use black bags. The "Trash Police" exist. They open illegal bags to find evidence of ownership (letters) and send fines (~CHF 200). This encourages recycling, which is free.
Actionable Intelligence
Squeeze It: Expats become masters of Tetris-ing trash to maximize volume. Squeeze out air!
The Wrong Bag: If you moved from another canton, your old bags are invalid here. Give them to a friend in the old canton.
Collection Day: Only put bags out on the specific morning of collection. Foxes/Birds destroy them overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I buy them?
Migros, Coop, Denner. Ask at the checkout (Kasse), they are usually kept behind the counter.
What goes in?
Only burnable waste. NO glass, PET, metal, or oil.