Sustainability in Switzerland vs. a developing country: A Contrast in Choices and Systems

I was born and raised on a Caribbean island that is also a developing nation.  Now living in Switzerland, I’ve come to see just how differently sustainability is approached in these two countries. Here, sustainability is not just a concept it feels like it’s a lifestyle. It includes environmental protection, efficient resource use, long-term planning, and a collective sense of responsibility. It's supported by strong regulations, modern infrastructure, and a society that values education and awareness around these issues.

Back home, sustainability is still a developing idea, if it exists at all in the way it's understood here. For many people in my country, the idea of “sustainability” isn’t focused on the environment, but on the basic need to sustain life: access to clean water, safe food, and reliable waste management. In my town, there are no recycling centers, and depending on where you live, there may not even be a general garbage collection system. We don’t have a central aqueduct either, so water supply is decentralized and often inconsistent, similarly to electricity. When these foundational systems are missing, it becomes difficult to think about environmental sustainability in the same terms.

Switzerland and developing countries present a stark contrast when it comes to day-to-day sustainable living, especially in areas like recycling and consumer choice. While both countries face environmental challenges, their abilities to respond are shaped by very different realities.

In Switzerland, recycling is second nature. People sort their waste into glass, aluminum, PET plastic, compost, and more. In Wädenswil, for example, you can leave cardboard on the side of the road on a designated day, and it will be collected and processed for recycling. This was something very foreign to me. Public recycling points are accessible and well-maintained. Beyond waste management, Swiss consumers can choose from a wide range of eco-labeled products such as locally grown food, a wide variety of organic options, and even entire stores dedicated to sustainability. Having access to these options allows individuals to make environmentally conscious decisions every day.

In my country, things look quite different. While awareness of environmental issues is growing, the systems to support sustainable habits are still lacking. Most areas have no formal recycling programs, and informal waste pickers are often the only way to dispose of garbage. In my town, people often resort to burning their trash, an act that brings serious health and environmental consequences. Consumer choice is also limited. Often, it’s not about choosing the most sustainable option, it’s about whether you can find the product at all. Island life means relying heavily on imported goods, and shortages are common. For example, tofu isn't produced locally, and there have been many times when it simply wasn’t available for months due to shipment issues.

That said, there are encouraging signs. There’s a growing interest in organic and sustainable farming practices, especially in industries like cacao production. I am a beekeeper, and thankfully in the past 10 years there has been a growing consciousness toward the importance of bees and pollinators not only in ecology but also in the context of agricultural yields. These community-led efforts may not yet match the scale of systems in Switzerland, but they show that sustainability can take root in different forms, even in places where resources are limited.

Switzerland’s wealth and infrastructure make it easier to live sustainably, while the developing countries face the dual challenge of building essential systems and raising public awareness. Both countries are on their own journeys, shaped by context. What’s clear is that sustainability can’t be measured by the same standards everywhere. Sometimes, it’s about having the privilege to choose between products. Other times, it’s about finding ways to protect the environment while still meeting the basic needs of daily life.