Friday evening, two days before the move: you're standing in the DIY store in front of a shelf full of boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper and adhesive tape. You know that you need packing materials for the move, but not which quality is good enough, how much of it makes sense, and what may later go into the Swiss recycling collection. This is exactly where the typical mistakes happen – the ones that cause box bottoms to tear, glasses to break, or clean cardboard to be less recyclable because of tape and film residues.
For a move in Switzerland, what counts is therefore not as much material as possible, but the right combination ofprotection, load capacity, reuse and clean disposal. Cardboard in particular is well integrated into existing Swiss waste practice. For paper and cardboard in 2024, the FOEN reports an average collection volume of around130 kilograms per personand a recycling rate of85 percent.Bundesdaten zu Siedlungsabfällen und RecyclingSo if you select your materials carefully when packing and separate them properly afterwards, you're not working against the system – you're using it correctly.
Which packing materials you really need for your move
Most private moves can be reliably organised with five groups of materials. What matters is that each group fulfils a clear purpose and isn't replaced by unnecessary specialty products.
The five material groups
Moving boxesform the basis. Standard boxes are suitable for clothing, kitchen utensils and smaller household items. Books, files and heavy tools belong in smaller, reinforced book boxes. For jackets, shirts and delicate garments, wardrobe boxes with a hanging rail save time and avoid unnecessary folding.
Cushioning materialprotects against movement and impact. Tissue paper or packing paper is suitable for dishes, glasses and decorative items. Bubble wrap makes sense when individual items are especially delicate. Air cushions fill voids, but they shouldn't be the only protective layer for heavy or sharp-edged objects. For furniture, blankets and towels often do more than additional purchased film.
Sealing and securing materialsincludes PVC adhesive tape, stretch film and, for larger transports, strapping band. Good packing tape seals the bottom securely. Stretch film keeps drawers closed or briefly protects upholstered furniture from dirt. However, it is no substitute for a furniture blanket and shouldn't be wrapped around cardboard unnecessarily.
Aids and toolsmake the transport safer. Marker pens, labels, a cutter, carrying straps and a hand truck are useful in stairwells and on long routes. Anyone moving heavy boxes by hand is saving in the wrong place.
Specialty packagingare worthwhile for dishes, pictures, mirrors and sensitive electronics. For a small move, you don't need every special format. Dish boxes with divider inserts and picture-frame sets do make sense, however, wherever a standard box doesn't provide a secure fit.
Practical rule:First buy sturdy boxes, paper, good adhesive tape and marking material. Only add specialty film and single-use cushioning after taking stock.
For moving boxes, Swiss practice mainly recommendsdouble-wall qualities with punched hand holes and reinforcing tape. An industry guideline cites around30 kilograms load capacity Schweizer Umzugskartons und Transportboxenas the standard for such boxes. This load capacity is a technical upper limit, not an invitation to pack them full. Books and dishes remain dangerously heavy even in a strong box if you distribute them by volume instead of by weight.
Choosing materials by room and sensitivity
In a Zurich period-building kitchen, plates, glasses and pans require different packaging than clothes or files. What matters is the weight, the risk of breakage and how sensitive the contents are to moisture. Choose the material according to the room and the item, therefore, rather than sticking to one uniform box format.
Kitchen, bathroom and living area
For plates, cups and bowls, use adish box with divider inserts. Wrap each piece individually in tissue paper, place plates upright in the compartments and put heavy items at the bottom. Glasses should also be stuffed with paper. Bubble wrap protects individual fragile pieces, but is no substitute for filling the voids.
Bottles from the bathroom go into sealed bags or get an extra layer of film to prevent leaks. Towels, cosmetics and light supplies fit into labelled standard boxes. In the living room, televisions, speakers, computers and decorative objects each need suitable protection. Original packaging is the first choice if you still have it. As a substitute, combine anti-static film, air cushions and a sturdy double-wall box.
When loading, electronics must not be placed directly against damp walls or wet furniture blankets. Store them in a dry place and let sensitive devices reach room temperature before switching them on.
Bedroom, children's room and home office
Wardrobe boxes with a hanging rail keep suits, coats and delicate garments largely crease-free. Bedding can be compressed in vacuum bags, provided it is packed dry and clean. Standard boxes are sufficient in the children's room. Toys, however, should not lie loosely with large gaps around them, as they will shift while the box is carried.
Books and files belong inbook boxes. Keep every box at a maximum of15 kilogramsso that it can be lifted safely in the stairwell. This limit also applies to other heavy contents, even if the box could technically bear more. You will find notes on suitable box types and packing methods indiesem Ratgeber zum richtigen Packen von Umzugskartons.
| Room | Fragility | Box type | Padding material | Guide weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | high | dish box with divider inserts | tissue paper, bubble wrap | up to 15 kg |
| Bathroom | medium | standard box, tightly sealed inner bags | towels, paper | up to 15 kg |
| Living room | high | double-wall box, original box | anti-static film, air cushions | up to 15 kg |
| Bedroom | low to medium | standard box, wardrobe box | blankets, vacuum bags | up to 15 kg |
| Children's room | medium | stackable standard box | blankets, paper | up to 15 kg |
| Home office | high for files | book box | paper, additional inner padding | up to 15 kg |
Three mistakes occur regularly:overloaded boxes, an unreinforced base for heavy items, and banana boxes with no reliable load capacity. Used boxes work well as long as they are dry, undamaged and sturdy. Check the base before filling and reinforce the seam with a continuous strip of tape.
Estimating quantities correctly by household size
An exact number of boxes cannot be derived from the number of rooms alone. A minimally furnished flat needs considerably less packing material than a household with lots of books, decorative items and kitchen utensils. The following table is therefore apractical starting point for planning, not a binding measurement.
| Household size | Standard boxes | Book boxes | Dish boxes | Wardrobe boxes | Packing tape (rolls) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 rooms, single person | 20 to 30 | 3 to 5 | 2 to 3 | 1 to 2 | 2 to 3 |
| 2.5 to 3.5 rooms, couple household | 35 to 55 | 5 to 8 | 3 to 5 | 2 to 4 | 3 to 5 |
| 4 to 5.5 rooms, family | 60 to 90 | 8 to 12 | 5 to 8 | 4 to 7 | 5 to 8 |
| 6 rooms and up, large household | 90 to 130 | 12 to 18 | 8 to 12 | 7 to 10 | 8 to 12 |
How to fine-tune the estimate
Go room by room and mark which items will actually be packed. Cellars, attics, storage rooms and hobby rooms often increase the requirement more than an additional bedroom does. Anyone who sorts things out consistently before packing saves not only boxes, but also transport volume.
For books and files, always plan on more small boxes rather than cramming them into large standard boxes. With crockery, the number of boxes matters less than having enough dividers, tissue paper and filling material. A single box of fragile items with no empty gaps is better than several loosely packed boxes.
Buying or renting
Many Swiss moving companies offer boxes as part of a package price or as a rental service. This can make sense both organisationally and financially, because you are not left storing leftovers and the return can be arranged directly with the move. Before ordering, ask whether delivery, collection, replacement of damaged boxes and return deadlines are included.
A good approach is to obtain the full basic quantity first and to buy consumables as needed. Too few boxes slow down the process, while too many single-use boxes end up as a disposal problem. With reusable boxes, you should reserve the required number based on the rooms and the planned packing days.
Buy, rent or borrow: the best strategy
In Swiss homes, the purchase price is not the only deciding factor. The moving date, storage space, the effort involved in returning them and disposal after unpacking all determine which solution pays off. Single-use boxes are available immediately, reusable boxes reduce waste, and used boxes lower costs if they are in good condition.
| Criterion | Single-use boxes (purchase) | Reusable boxes (rental) | Used boxes (Tutti/Ricardo) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per storage volume | manageable for small quantities | higher unit price, but reusable | often inexpensive, depending on availability |
| Protection | good with double-wall quality | sturdy, stackable and more weather-resistant | heavily dependent on condition |
| Procurement | available immediately in shops | reservation, delivery and return required | searching and collection can take time |
| Return | not applicable | clarify deadline and deposit in writing | usually no return |
| Recycling | separate cardboard cleanly | material stays within the provider's cycle | flatten and collect after use |
For a small move with little storage space, new single-use boxes are usually the practical choice. An overview of theKauf geeigneter Umzugskartonshelps with the selection. Used boxes from Tutti or Ricardo are also suitable, provided the bottoms, handles and edges are undamaged before filling. Moisture, old tears and seams taped over several times mean the box should be discarded straight away. After the move, clean boxes are flattened and collected separately rather than being disposed of with mixed waste.
Reusable boxes are particularly worthwhile for larger households or several packing days. They stack uniformly, cope better with short-term moisture and go back to the provider after use. Before reserving, check delivery windows, collection, deposit, minimum rental period and the costs for late returns. In Switzerland, these conditions vary considerably depending on the provider and region.
For single-use cardboard boxes,2 to 4 francs per single-use cardboard boxwere quoted, for plastic boxes8 to 12 francs rental per plastic box. These figures serve as a guide only. Quality, scope of delivery, region and rental period affect the total costs. You should therefore have all items confirmed in writing, including the deposit refund and replacement in the event of loss.
With mixed strategies, the task is what counts:sturdy reusable boxes for books and crockery, single-use cardboard boxes for clothing and light items. This keeps the use of materials appropriate, and less cardboard ends up at the collection point after the move.
Packing order and techniques for a smooth process
Startfour to six weeks before the move. Pack the things you rarely need first, and keep the rooms you use daily accessible until the very end. A proven sequence goes from the attic, cellar and guest bathroom via books and decorations to the kitchen, bathroom and the last everyday items.
The packing technique for delicate contents
For fragile items, I use a two-box technique. The inner box holds the contents, while the outer box creates an additional protective layer. Line the inner base with tissue paper or bubble wrap, wrap each item individually and fill all cavities with packing paper.
Books lie flat and are not placed upright against a thin cardboard wall. Glasses get tissue or paper in the hollow space and are positioned so that they do not knock against each other. Clothing can be rolled or compressed in vacuum bags, while heavy items always belong at the bottom and light ones at the top.
Labelling, testing and getting ready
Label every box withroom, contents and a weight note. On boxes with delicate contents, add a clearly visible «Fragile». A colour code for each room, for example blue for the kitchen and green for the bedroom, helps helpers assign boxes directly at the destination.
Before sealing comes the stacking test. The box must not bulge, the contents must not shift when shaken gently and the handle area must remain stable. For furniture, individual items and transports with several stops, you will find additional information onTransport von Möbeln. For special dismantling or removal work, theVork Guide für Abbruchbetriebeis also a useful guide, as it deals with safety questions relating to work on the property in a structured way.
On moving day, the last everyday items, cleaning products, chargers and tools are set aside separately. This bag does not belong in the rearmost box of the van. Anyone who also protects hallways and doors with blankets or suitable covering prevents damage before it occurs.
Packing sustainably and disposing of materials correctly in Switzerland
After the move, sorting determines whether packaging material stays in the right recycling loop. Paper and cardboard are collected in Switzerland through well-established separate collections. For private individuals, cardboard disposal is free of charge in many municipalities, while different fee rules may apply to businesses FAQ on disposing of moving boxes.
Keep clean fractions separate
Flattened boxes belong in the municipal cardboard collection. Remove adhesive tape, plastic strapping and larger foreign materials before bundling the cardboard. Clean paper and cardboard should be kept separate from soiled or coated materials.
The FOEN lists paper and cardboard, glass, PET beverage bottles, tinplate cans and aluminium cans as established free separate collections for private householdsSchwerpunkte bei Verpackungen.PET is not simply PET. Only PET beverage bottles and PET milk bottles belong in the PET collection; other PET packaging contaminates the collection streamInformationen zu PET-Getränkeflaschen.
Clean PE films should be taken to the plastic collection designated in your region. Soiled bubble wrap, polystyrene chips, coated cardboard and composite materials do not automatically belong in the cardboard or PET cycle. Remaining packaging waste is recovered for energy along with municipal solid waste in waste incineration plants, as the FOEN explains regarding packaging disposal.
Reuse instead of throwing away too soon
Pass on boxes that are still in good condition to the next tenant, neighbours or acquaintances. Local swap platforms and classified ads are particularly suitable if the next move in the region is coming up. Moving blankets, towels and reusable boxes replace a lot of single-use film.
For packaging overall, Switzerland reported in2023 a recycling rate of 69.4 percent Informationen zur umweltfreundlichen Verpackung. For paper and cardboard, the figures according to federal data are85 percent, with around130 kilograms of recycled paper and cardboard per person Bundesratskommunikation zu Recycling und Verpackungen. Clean separation of materials is therefore a concrete contribution to recycling, not merely an ecological intention.
Take regulations into account early on
Amendments to the ADWO (VVEA) come into force on1 August 2026, and a new packaging ordinance is planned forearly 2027 vorgesehen Informationen des Bundesrats zu den Verpackungsvorgaben. In addition, requirements have been announced for 2026 under which plastic packaging must be materially recycled to at least55 percentand beverage cartons to at least70 percent. Manufacturers and retailers of single-use plastic packaging are to offer separate collection systems for their customers.
For a private move, this means: wherever possible, opt forpure cardboard without plastic coating, reusable containers and clearly separated films. Cantonal procedures differ for plastics and composite materials. Before disposing of anything, therefore, check with your local collection point, for example using the collection point app from Swiss Recycling. Switzerland's targets for glass, PET and aluminium are already at least75 percent recycling or recovery Informationen zu Recycling in der Schweiz.
Checklist for purchasing and moving day
Print out this list and tick off every point. That way, packaging material doesn't remain guesswork until the last minute.
- Four to six weeks beforehand:Go through rooms, cellar and attic, sort things out and note how many standard, book and dish boxes you need.
- When purchasing:Have double-walled boxes, tissue paper, packing paper, suitable adhesive tape, marker pens, labels and furniture blankets ready.
- Two weeks beforehand:Check your box supply, add special packaging for pictures, mirrors, glasses and electronics, and reserve reusable boxes.
- One week beforehand:Set up a packing station with a cutter, spare blades, adhesive tape, paper, film and coloured labels.
- When packing:Distribute heavy contents among small boxes, fill hollow spaces, reinforce the bottoms and label every box with the room, contents and a fragile note.
- On moving day:Keep the first-aid kit, tools, chargers, medication and clothing separate. Mark boxes containing fragile items visibly.
- After the move:Flatten empty boxes, remove tape and foreign materials, collect paper and cardboard separately and dispose of plastic in accordance with your canton's collection system.
- For rented materials:Count the reusable boxes, document any damage and confirm the return, including the deposit and deadline.
If you would rather not coordinate packing, transport and disposal yourself,TIXPIorganises moves and furniture transports, including careful packing as an additional service. Check the service you need online, schedule the collection and have the entire process organised for you right through to delivery at your new home.