Partial invalidity of Geneva SVP waste initiative confirmed
Published: Wednesday, Oct 16th 2024, 12:10
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The Federal Supreme Court has confirmed the partial invalidity of the Geneva initiative "Yes to the recycling of non-biodegradable waste". Part of the text is incompatible with higher-ranking law. The cantonal authorities also came to this conclusion.
The first paragraph of the initiative provides for a ban on the construction of new landfills for the disposal of incineration slag in the canton of Geneva. This passage is not compatible with the Federal Act on Environmental Protection (EPA), writes the Federal Supreme Court in a ruling published on Wednesday
The EPA stipulates that waste production must be limited as far as possible and that waste must be recycled and disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner within Switzerland. It also stipulates that the cantons must cooperate in waste planning and disposal. This applies in particular to the planning, construction and operation of waste facilities.
Resistance from local residents
Against this background, an initiative that provides for a ban on the construction of new landfills in the canton violates the principles set out in the USG. The declaration of the partial invalidity of the initiative was therefore lawful.
The initiative was launched by the Geneva SVP due to the overloading of the Châtillon landfill site in Bernex. The canton needs to build a new landfill for slag that resists incineration.
An agricultural plot of land in Satigny was considered for the project. This prospect provoked strong opposition from the inhabitants of the region. The SVP's text was submitted with 10,286 signatures. (Judgement 1C_426/2023 of 19.9.2024)
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