The Lower House of Parliament has rejected a proposal to ban disposable packaging for takeaway meals.
The motion put forward by the Green Party would also have banned recyclable packaging such as cardboard and wood.
The Green party says each person in the country produces 700 kilos of waste a year – and disposable packaging is a third of that.
The motion called for only reusable options.
But it failed to get any support from the other parties and the Federal Council.
Environmental minister, Simonetta Sommaruga, says before banning anything the economy needs time for it to come up with a solution.
Major 5 year works plan starts in Geneva next year
Home owner tax on brink of abolishment - or not
Boy killed by bus in Vaud
Quagga mussel found in Lake Zurich for first time
Police officer pardoned of speeding
Final - Geneva shops will open this Sunday
