Round table on littering caused by free newspapers planned

 Many free newspapers are simply left lying around after being read, resulting in considerable disposal costs. The federal government is therefore considering the introduction of an early disposal fee. However, the parties involved should first be given the opportunity to find another solution. For this reason, the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) has convened a round table for September. Representatives of the cantons, municipalities, publishers and associations have been invited, as Federal Councillor Moritz Leuenberger stated in his answer to a question from National Councillor Christian van Singer (GPS/VD) published on Tuesday. If no practicable, mutually agreeable solution can be found at the round table, the FOEN will prepare the introduction of the disposal fee. As expected, publishers are opposed to an early disposal fee. Marcel Kohler, Managing Director of 20 Minuten, believes that an early levy is "the wrong approach". It would not solve the problems and it is questionable whether the fee money would go to the right place. In addition, 20 Minuten is already committed to waste disposal: "We already pay considerable sums to partners such as SBB and VBZ in the form of stand fees and cleaning charges," Kohler told Werbewoche. In addition, 20 Minuten attaches great importance to controlling the distribution in such a way that no newspapers are left behind and the boxes are already empty in the morning. Kohler emphasizes that the company is aware of the disposal problem and takes responsibility. However, the publishers also want to raise awareness among readers and rely on individual responsibility: "After all, it's the readers who throw away the newspapers, not the publishers." Naturally, 20 Minuten will take part in the planned round table with the federal government, cantons and municipalities. "We want to show what we are already doing for waste disposal and are convinced that we will find an amicable solution."